Let's Settle This – Is The Viral 'Puff Vs Pit' Armpit Health Check Actually Helpful?

Speaking on Diary Of A CEO, former chiropractor Dr Mindy Pelz said that women should check whether they have a ‘puff’ or a ‘pit’ armpit. 

“Look in the mirror, and if your armpit is a ‘puff,’ then that’s stagnant lymph. It means that you’re not pulling the toxins from women that are coming out of her breasts,” she argued. 

A ‘puff’ armpit can be a sign of other ‘toxins’ building up in the body, the self-described ’fasting and hormone expert” also said.

Since then, the claim has gone viral on sites like TikTok, where suggestions that having a ‘puff’ armpit means you’re unhealthy have resurfaced to hundreds of thousands of views. 

But is this true? We spoke to Dr Suzanne Wylie, GP and medical adviser for IQdoctor, about the ‘test.’ 

Take the advice with a hefty grain of salt 

The doctor told us to be ‘cautious’ when considering these sorts of warnings. 

“The idea that the shape of a person’s armpit, whether described as ‘puff’ or ‘pit’, can reliably indicate serious medical issues such as cancer, lymphatic dysfunction or ‘toxin’ buildup is overly simplistic and potentially misleading,” she wrote. 

After all, some of the changes to our armpit shape can be down to normal anatomical variety. It “can be influenced by factors such as muscle tone, fat distribution, and natural body structure,” Dr Wylie shared. 

Even the notion of ‘toxins’ building up in your armpit, though common in some alternative health circles, is “not supported by scientific evidence.” 

“The body’s detoxification processes are primarily managed by the liver and kidneys, not the lymph nodes in the armpits,” the GP continued.

“In clinical practice, we assess patients based on a full history, examination and, if needed, investigations rather than visual appearance alone.”

There is simply, she stated, “no evidence-based guideline that supports routine classification of armpits in this way as a diagnostic tool.”  

Can a “puff” armpit ever be dangerous?

All changes to your body, especially if you notice a lump, should be investigated.

“Swelling in the armpit, particularly if it’s new, persistent or associated with other symptoms like lumps, pain or systemic signs, can warrant medical assessment,” Dr Wylie said. 

Still, she added, “While it is important to be body-aware and seek advice about any changes or concerns, reducing complex health matters to binary visual cues can create unnecessary anxiety and may delay a more accurate diagnosis.” 

In other words, if you have always had a ‘puff’ armpit, odds are there’s nothing wrong. If you notice any changes, including swelling and lumps, see your GP.