What are the causes for a painful armpit lump?

Painful armpit lumps can be caused by a variety of different things, ranging from minor irritations to serious medical conditions. Common causes include razor burn, folliculitis (inflammation of hair follicles), sebaceous cysts (noncancerous skin growths filled with keratin), and even harmless lymph nodes. In rarer cases, armpit lumps may be a sign of something more serious such as cancer or an infection.

If you're concerned about your armpit lump, it's important to visit your doctor so they can properly diagnose the cause and recommend appropriate treatment. They might suggest draining the lump or prescribe antibiotics if it’s an infection; in some cases surgery may also be necessary. If the lump is found to be cancerous, then further measures may need to be taken for treatment depending on its type and stage.

Overall, getting checked out by a healthcare professional is always recommended if you find any kind of painful bump in the armpit area – even if it appears small or harmless at first glance!