What is the stabbing pain in my boobs trying to tell me?

And expert answers to other unusual aches you may encounter 

Pain is an unavoidable part of the human experience. And physical pain, in its many manifestations, accompanies us through most of our lives—from the arrival of period pain in puberty to the surprise migraines that knock us out in our 20s, to the heightened levels of dehydration that signal our 30s, along with lower back pain, shoulder tightness, and other unfamiliar aches. We tweak our monthly budgets to add vitamin supplements and a steady supply of Moov, resolving to stick to daily yoga sessions (cat and cow stretches, at the very least), and call it a day.

But some aches are too puzzling to diagnose immediately. Why is my finger cramping? Why is my left nostril aching? What is this sharp boob pain that feels like getting stabbed by a crochet needle? These questions usually evoke a level of panic, as it could be an indication that something is amiss inside your body. But, how do you say, “My armpit is aching” out loud without sounding like a hypochondriac?

Well, we understand these unusual aches and pains should be examined seriously. So, we jotted down a list of eight complaints that you might find too weird to talk about, and asked health experts to break them down for us. Because a late-night Google search will inevitably lead to the ‘C’ word, and we don’t need any more causes for an anxiety spiral.

What are these unusual aches and pains?

We’re no strangers to our muscle groups revolting against bad ‘slouchy’ postures and awkward sleeping positions. But some pains are puzzling for their unfamiliarity. Medical experts lay down some reasons for these unusual aches and pains.

Why is my finger cramping?

This could be a sign of a ‘trigger finger’ says Dr Imraan Khan (PT), consultant head physiotherapist, Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai. It’s a condition where the tendons that are responsible for flexing your fingers and thumb become inflamed. This results in stiffness in the affected finger. This may pass in a few seconds but if it recurs and is ignored, it could create more trouble in the long run.

“People develop pain in [their] fingers, and sometimes even in the wrist, due to excessive typing on laptops and mobile phones. We use our thumbs to type and text on the phone, which affects the nerves in the fingers, and due to excessive usage, they start to pain,” says Gurgaon-based Dr Shahamat Hussain, visiting consultant, internal medicine at Max Healthcare.

Tweak tip: To avoid pain due to excessive typing or phone use, try to give yourself regular breaks. Also, consider doing some simple hand exercises, such as rotating your wrists and flexing your fingers and thumb, to stretch the muscles and relieve any tension.

Why does my hair pain?

As strange as ‘hair pain’ sounds, pain around the roots of your hair could be the result of a dry scalp. According to Dr Hussain, when your scalp isn’t oiled regularly, the hair follicles that are present there become dry and fragile. This can make the roots of your hair sensitive to touch, and also result in hair fall.

A less common cause could be herpes, or trigeminal neuralgia, which affects the nerves in the head and can make your hair extremely sensitive to touch and cause pain.

Tweak tip: Add regular oil massages to your hair-care schedule (create a pampering hair routine). You can opt for coconut oil, almond oil, or any other oil of your preference. This will strengthen your hair follicles and hydrate your scalp, and the head massage will help you relax and unwind. If the pain persists, it’s advisable to visit a physician to ensure there’s no underlying issue.

Why is my left nostril aching?

We know what you’re thinking—sinus. But what happens when the pain is limited to one nostril, with no accompanying headache? According to Dr Preeti Chhabria, consultant and director of internal medicine at Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital, Mumbai, this could be the result of a boil or foreign body being lodged inside the nostril.

“Sometimes if there’s crusting inside the nose, a person could unknowingly damage the nostril while clearing the crusting, resulting in pain,” adds Dr Hussain. He elaborates that the pain could also be due to an injury, a nasal polyp (tissue growth that looks like tiny bumps) or an infected hair follicle.

Tweak tip: Avoid putting any foreign body inside your nostril, such as an ear bud for cleaning. Just rinse it with plain water, instead. If you see a boil inside your nostril, resist the urge to prick it, and visit a doctor for the right remedy.

What is this stabbing pain in my breast?

Tender breasts and sensitive nipples are a result of hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle. However, if you experience stabbing pain, it could be due to a nerve injury.

Ill-fitting bras can lead to discomfort by either digging into breast tissue or failing to provide ample support, causing pain during physical activities like sports and rigorous workouts. “Not wearing innerwear with the right support can exert pressure on the nerve and damage it, resulting in radiating pain,” explains Dr Hussain.

Tweak tip: Always keep your lingerie sizes updated. As we age, there could be changes in our breast sizes; so wear a comfortable bra with the right fit, one that does not dig into your skin, and gives your twins the support they need.

Why do I experience pain during ovulation?

Women are all too familiar with period cramps, nothing new there. But during ovulation, which is when the ovaries release an egg for fertilisation, one might also experience some pain and cramps.

Hemorrhagic cysts on the ovaries can also cause intense shooting pain. In this case, the pain can reverberate through your entire pelvic region or abdomen. “Pain on the right side of the abdomen could very well be because of appendicitis. But when females present with this kind of pain, doctors have to do an ultrasound to detect whether the pain is due to the ovaries or appendix,” says Dr Hussain.

Tweak tip: If you’re experiencing pain during ovulation, consider soothing it with a hot water bag. Tracking your period cycle will help you identify if an episode of abdominal pain is menstruation-related or needs to be further investigated.

Why does my armpit hurt?

According to Dr Hussain, armpit pain could be the result of a hair follicle infection. This is especially common while shaving; minor cuts can get infected when exposed to sweat and other body secretions, or when they create friction by rubbing against your clothes.

You can confirm this if the pain is accompanied by a swelling. Sometimes, you may feel a lump on the inside, which would then need to be drained surgically for relief.

Tweak tip: Waxing and shaving body hair is entirely a personal choice. If you do prefer the blade, ensure you’re using good-quality razors, keeping them clean, and staying away from rust. This will minimise the possibility of cuts. Also, engage in after-shave care to ensure hygiene and prevent infections.

What does this throbbing in my ear mean?

“It’s all because of earphones,” is every parent’s favourite answer to complaints about ear pain. But, they’re probably right. If you’re experiencing pain in the ears, it’s likely because of a middle ear infection. Constant usage of earphones leads to the accumulation of ear wax. Also, when not in use, earphones gather dust. Reinserting them can introduce dust into the ears, potentially causing infection.

Secondly, doctors always advise against putting anything inside the ear canal. Even earbuds are meant to only clean the outer area of the ear; cleaning the inside canal can lead to damage or infection.

Tweak tip: You don’t have to break up with your earphones, just clean them regularly to ensure they’re free from dust and wax. You can also consider switching to headphones to avoid any direct contact with the inner ear. Stick to softer materials for wiping your ear (like cotton) and clean with gentle motions. You can also seek advice from a doctor on how to do it.

Why does my toe ache?

If your toe is aching, retrace your steps and maybe you’ll remember hitting it against the doorframe last evening. Or, if the nails of your toes like to curl inwards rather than outwards, this can also lead to toe pain.

If neither of these are probable causes, you might want to check your footwear. Wearing ill-designed shoes or tight footwear over a period of time may cause your feet to start hurting. Also, if the soles of your shoes are very hard or stiff, they can cause pain in your heels.

Tweak tip: Wear shoes with soft soles and don’t compromise on comfort for style. Choosing the right footwear size, where all your toes can stretch and breathe, will also reduce the chances of foot pain.

When does an ache become a serious symptom?

More often than not, we ignore pain because we’re too scared to confront an actual diagnosis. Sometimes, the pain is temporary, and vanishes in a few minutes, but sometimes it may linger longer. If pain is consistent, recurring or increasing in intensity, or accompanied by numbness, it’s likely hinting at a deeper issue that warrants medical attention.

“If the pain occurs when you’re not moving or engaging in any activity, or it limits your daily functioning and ability to carry out your day-to-day tasks, you should immediately get it checked out,” concludes Dr Khan.

Note of caution: This story is for educational purposes with inputs from trained experts. Please consult your healthcare provider to know what suits your needs best.