Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
Deodorant and antiperspirantallergies can cause an itchy rash. Your skin may peel and become hot or red.Or, you may experience the red eyes, sneezing, and other symptoms common to afragrance sensitivity.
This article explains the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment of a deodorant armpit rash and other allergic symptoms from using a deodorant or antiperspirant.
Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin
Symptoms of an Armpit Rash From Deodorant
Deodorants and antiperspirants are generally considered safe products. However, sometimesallergic reactionscan occur. Allergies that result from something that your skin comes in contact with are calledcontact dermatitis.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies deodorants as cosmetic agents. They reduce bacterial growth and include fragrances to mask odors. The FDA classifies antiperspirants as drugs; they usually contain aluminum. Some products are considered both cosmetics and drugs.
Contact dermatitis is often limited to the area that the offending substance touched. With deodorants and antiperspirants, that’s usually the armpit.
Allergies to deodorants and antiperspirants can cause the following symptoms:
How long it takes for symptoms to appear can vary. Symptoms may occur within minutes of applying the product or as long as hours later.
Sometimes the effects resolve quickly—within an hour. But they can last for days and might not clear up until you completely stop using the product.
When to Call a Healthcare ProviderYou can try over-the-counterskin creamsand home remedies, but if symptoms persist, call your healthcare provider. They can prescribe a topical corticosteroid or other treatment.They may need to diagnose the cause and this may requireallergy testing. Seek immediate care if you have difficulty breathing, swelling in the airway, or other signs of a severe allergic reaction.
When to Call a Healthcare Provider
You can try over-the-counterskin creamsand home remedies, but if symptoms persist, call your healthcare provider. They can prescribe a topical corticosteroid or other treatment.They may need to diagnose the cause and this may requireallergy testing. Seek immediate care if you have difficulty breathing, swelling in the airway, or other signs of a severe allergic reaction.
Symptoms of Anaphylaxis
How Can Deodorant Cause an Armpit Rash?
Several chemicals can contribute to contact dermatitis from deodorants and antiperspirants.
The most common trigger is fragrances. A fragrance allergy affects between 0.7% to 2.6% of all people.Elements in deodorants and antiperspirants that can cause allergic reactions include:
Some research has pointed to chemicals in deodorants and antiperspirants as a potential cause of cancer andAlzheimer’s disease, such as aluminum.There is insufficient evidence to support these claims.
Do Natural Deodorants Really Work?
Diagnosing an Armpit Rash
Allergies aren’t the only cause ofunderarm rashes, so your doctor will want to consider other things that may be contributing to your discomfort. Other causes unrelated to deodorants and antiperspirants include:
Patch Test
Unfortunately, this test doesn’t reliably detect allergies to uncommon fragrances and propylene glycol. Therefore, yourallergistmight do a patch test using your deodorant or antiperspirant if they suspect it may be causing your problem.
Treating an Armpit Rash From Deodorant
The treatment for deodorant and antiperspirant allergies involves managing your symptoms and then avoiding the offending products.
Corticosteroids
The immediate treatment of deodorant and antiperspirant allergy is to apply topical corticosteroids to the underarm skin. These products reduce redness, itching, and inflammation.
Topicalcorticosteroidsare the treatment of choice for mild to moderate contact dermatitis involving limited body areas.Severe forms may require oral or injected corticosteroids.
Avoidance
To manage and prevent allergy symptoms, avoid the chemical that’s responsible for the reaction. If patch testing identifies the specific chemical, then you can select products that don’t contain the chemical that triggers your allergy, such as:
If you are allergic to something in deodorant or antiperspirant, avoid products that contain that chemical. If it’s unclear which substance triggers your allergy, you may want to try hypoallergenic deodorant products.
Preventing a Deodorant Armpit Rash
If you develop a rash or irritation in your underarm, try switching to a hypoallergenic product to see if it helps. Some hypoallergenic deodorants and antiperspirants include:
You may also find that products containing zeolite crystals don’t irritate your skin. Always check the label for potentially irritating ingredients.
Why Is My Skin so Sensitive?
Summary
If you have a deodorant allergy, you may find that hypoallergenic or natural products keep you from reacting. In the meantime, topical corticosteroids can also reduce redness and inflammation.
If your allergies persist, be sure to contact your healthcare provider or see a dermatologist. They will rule out other potential causes and help you with a plan to manage symptoms and avoid triggers.
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.Contact dermatitis.
Heisterberg MV, Menné T, Andersen KE, et al.Deodorants are the leading cause of allergic contact dermatitis to fragrance ingredients.Contact Derm. 2011;64(5):258-64. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0536.2011.01889.x
Food and Drug Administration.Cosmetics safety Q&A: Personal care products.
Gabros S, Zito PM.Topical Corticosteroids. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.
Reeder MJ.Allergic contact dermatitis to fragrances.Dermatologic Clinics. 2020 Jul;38(3):371-377. doi: 10.1016/j.det.2020.02.009
Lukiw WJ, Kruck TPA, Percy ME, et al.Aluminum in neurological disease - a 36 year multicenter study.J Alzheimers Dis Parkinsonism. 2019;8(6):457. doi:10.4172/2161-0460.1000457
Brasch J, Becker D, Aberer W, et al.Guideline contact dermatitis. S1-Guidelines of the German Contact Allergy Group (DKG) of the German Dermatology Society.Allergo J Int.2014;23(4):126-138. doi:10.1007/s40629-014-0013-5
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