Athletes are not strangers to chafing, so it is very easy to rule out any irritation of reddened skin, similar to a rash, as a result of a particularly sticky workout. If your armpits hurt or your skin itches, rubbing could certainly be the culprit, which can be caused by a seam in your shirt or by rubbing your skin during a strength training session.
If it doesn't resolve on its own after a few days, you may be experiencing a skin reaction (contact dermatitis) caused by your deodorant, and you're not alone: According to an article in the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, deodorants are among the products. most common allergy-causing (partly because they are widely used).
Skin reactions or allergies to deodorants can appear even if you've been using the same product for years.
Deodorant vs antiperspirant
There are many options on the market for odor and sweat control, but the most common are deodorant and antiperspirant (or a combination of the two). Although they are both used in the same way (a quick slide under the arm), they are different.
Antiperspirants are designed to decrease sweating, usually by blocking the sweat glands. On the other hand, deodorants are designed to prevent or cover an individual's body odor, typically produced by bacteria. They do this in two ways: by lowering the counts of odor-causing bacteria, and by masking the odor produced by fragranced bacteria.
Both have faced claims over the years that they are linked to breast cancer, Alzheimer's, and other health problems; however, reviews and studies have not found clear evidence in any of the cases. For those looking for an alternative to these two main options, either because of these health claims or to make the switch to more natural products, there are natural deodorants that contain ingredients like baking soda and essential oils.
Symptoms of allergy to antiperspirants or deodorants
Symptoms can range from a sensation of itchiness or pain on the skin at one point (worse after applying deodorant or antiperspirant) to a visible rash that develops in and around the armpits.
You can experience two types of contact dermatitis, allergic or irritant . Both cause skin changes, including a rash, pink to red papules, itching, pain, swelling, and even spots that resemble hives.
An allergic response is a red, scaly rash that appears quickly after applying the product and is usually very itchy and even painful. An irritant dermatitis looks similar to an allergic reaction, but instead of rapidly occurring with a severe character, an irritating rash slowly builds up over days.
Irritant dermatitis is more likely to occur in people who remove underarm hair. When you shave your armpits, you remove the barrier of hair and dead skin that would normally protect against such a reaction. If you develop a rash under your arms, waxing that area is not recommended until the rash improves. Shaving or waxing can further disrupt the outer layer of the skin and make the rash worse.
Ingredients that can cause allergies
Because deodorants and antiperspirants work differently, they also contain different active ingredients, but the most common irritant is fragrance, which is about 90 percent. In a review of 107 products, the researchers were able to reduce the most common allergens:
- Fragrance
- Propylene glycol
- Essential oils
- Parabens
- Vitamin E
- Lanolin
How to treat contact dermatitis?
The first thing you can do if you think you have contact dermatitis (allergic or irritant) is to stop using the product that causes it and resist the urge to scratch the area if it itches. Gentle cleansers are recommended to cleanse the area, with ingredients like soy or oat extract, in addition to aloe.
You can also apply an over-the-counter 1 percent hydrocortisone cream to reduce inflammation. If the reaction is significant, worsens, or if you have any signs of infection (tenderness, increasing redness, warmth, or pus-like discharge), you should seek medical attention from a dermatologist or your primary care physician if this is not an option.
