Why Are There Purple Lines Under My Armpits?
Purple streaks under the armpits are often considered to be related to stretch marks due to obesity, but it cannot be excluded that they may also be caused by pregnancy stretch marks, soft tissue injuries, or tinea corporis. It is necessary to identify the cause and provide targeted treatment.
If one is naturally thin but gains weight rapidly after binge eating, this can lead to an increase in fat under the armpits. The skin may be unable to cope with this change, resulting in stretch marks that are mostly dark red or reddish-purple. If there are no other symptoms of discomfort, no special treatment is required. It is recommended to lose weight appropriately and control the diet.
During pregnancy, due to rapid weight gain and excessive skin stretching, pregnancy stretch marks may appear. These stretch marks commonly occur on the abdomen, chest, thighs, and armpits. It is recommended to maintain skin moisture during pregnancy by applying anti-stretch mark cream to alleviate symptoms.
When the skin under the armpits is impacted or squeezed by external forces, it may lead to local blood vessel ruptures and hemorrhages. The accumulated blood will turn into a purplish color. Patients can use heat packs and massages to promote local blood circulation and relieve symptoms.
When the skin under the armpits is infected with dermatophytes, it may trigger tinea corporis. During the illness, red and purple skin lesions may appear, accompanied by itching and pain. Patients can use topical medications such as triamcinolone acetonide cream, miconazole nitrate cream, or terbinafine hydrochloride cream as prescribed by a doctor.
In addition, purple streaks under the armpits may also be related to herpes zoster, which may manifest as fatigue, skin blisters, and skin burning. Patients can take antiviral medications such as acyclovir, valacyclovir, or famciclovir as prescribed by a doctor.
