Rash on my underarms.

@suspenseful (40193)
Canada
February 22, 2008 9:18pm CST
I get a rash on my underarms. I already use a non=perfume soap and scentless deodorant, but find it happens more after I have gone without my deodorant for a couple of days and when my underarm hair is growing out. I do use a scented shower soap from the Bodyshop and was wondering whether this is the cause and whether I should stick with non-perfume products? Is this an allergy, and am I also allergic to my own sweat? Or is there another cause? I also have warts under my underarms and I use a depilatory for sensitive skin.
5 people like this
13 responses
@Rozie37 (15499)
• Turkmenistan
23 Feb 08
You said that it happens when your underarm hair is growing back out. Maybe it is the shaving method that you use. I know that if you reuse a disposible razor it can cause irritation. The best thing for you to do is to see you doctor or Dermatologist. Everyone's skin is different. What works for someone else may not work for you.
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
24 Feb 08
I was thinking it could be my shower gel. I can use it all over except under my arms and you know where. So I guess I will have to use Neutrogena for under my arms. Icannot use a razor because well I have these tiny warts and I might cut them.
• Canada
23 Feb 08
Hello Suspenseful! If anyone has difficulties with scented soaps etc. it would be me!! My hands get so itchy and sore that they bleed if I use an irritating soap for a prolonged period of time and I can't use any scented bubble baths or anything...I use unscented deoderant and unscented feminine hygene products also. As for soaps I can only use either Ivory or Body Shop products. I even have to stay away from undergarments with Lace as that also bothers me and certain underwire br*s I can not wear either!! My question is, how long have you had the warts and does your doctor know about this? If it is that severe, I would suggest seeing a doctor about it. I actually had to get bre*st cream perscribed one time for dermatitis because I changed my brand of dryer sheets! It's not the nicest way to have to live as I would love to wear the lacy frilly garments at times and use scented products but I can't... I am sorry that I could not be of more here but I hope that it helps to know that you are not alone! ~Heavens~
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
24 Feb 08
I wear the Bra*s that I buy from a speciality shop. Oh and I cannot even use Body Shop products. I can wear those frill things, and I had those warts since I was in my teens. I even have two on the back of my neck. That is the way you can our family, even my brother has two warts in the exact same place. But it is the soaps that bother me, they cannot have any perfume at all, and since they are all produced chemically and since the environmentalists are discouraging use of natural ones, I have a problem.
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
5 Mar 08
I hope I can find one that I do not have to pay for.
• Canada
24 Feb 08
So sorry to hear of this! If I were you I would see a Dermatologist or something as to what products (soap and deodorant) you should be using! ~Heavens~
1 person likes this
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
23 Feb 08
when my sister in law had this she was allergic to deordarant now shre has to use powder dont know what kind but thats what docs told her
1 person likes this
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
5 Mar 08
ok good
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
4 Mar 08
I will have to look into that. I will also have to check the ingredients.
@coffeeshot (3783)
• Australia
5 Mar 08
I agree with Rozie. It sounds like razor rash. Take a look at the depilatory you're using. If you have sensitive skin, it may just be a reaction to the hair removal. It could also be ingrown hairs. No matter what I use- razors, wax, depilatory creams, I always get a bit of irritation. Perhaps try a few different methods of post-depilatory care such as balms and creams. Good luck!
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
5 Mar 08
That could be it. It could be the depilatory is a bit strong and I use the sensative type, so I guess after that, I have to put a cream on them. I did use tea tree oil and it worked. So I guess that would be the best.
@chrislotz (8137)
• Canada
7 Mar 08
Boy I sure do know where you are coming from. I always have a rsh under my arms, especially bad after I shave them. I don't know why I have a rash, I have tried using different soaps and deoderants and nothing helps me. I have asked my doctor about it and she says not to worry about it, it's just from sweating. Well, I don't weat that much so I think she is wrong about that. I sometimes think I may be allergic to my own sweat, just like you, but I think that is impossible.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
13 Apr 08
I use Neutrogena (probably spelled that wrong) and I do not get the rash anymore. Also if you have a Bulk Barn in your area, they have these glycerine soaps that are none allergic. You do not suppose that we are allergic to clean underarms? I hope not.
• Costa Rica
16 Apr 08
Try only using hypoallergenic soap or very mild ones like Dove or Bewest. You should also shave in the direction your hair is going (usually you should shave upwards). The wart thing I have no idea about. Warts are usually caused by a virus called HPV, but under your arms is not a place it usually attacks. There is medication for them. You should probably ask an MD. Are the wart's painful? Are they pink or purple and in little bunches? It may be herpes, which is also viral and in that area it would not be the sexually transmitted one. Also there is a posibility that instead of being warts, or herpes, they are hives produced by infected hair follicles--- which will be helped if you shave in the correct direction. Take care!!!
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
16 Apr 08
I use a cream to remove my hair under my arms. Dare not try a razor. The warts are the same color as my skin, pink. I cannot understand how the herpes can get to my underarms. I have never been kinky. The warts do not hurt at all, they are annoying and are under the underarm and three small ones. I am now using Neutrogena and since then I have not had any problems.
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
23 Feb 08
if it is a new product you are using and now you have a rash stop using it, if it does not seem to help go to a dermatologist
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
4 Mar 08
I threw it away, it was almost gone, and now I have to look for a new deodorant, but getting them at the health food store is more expensive than going to Superstore and getting it off the shelf.
@vanities (11395)
• Davao, Philippines
24 Feb 08
maybe it was an allergy..try consulting a dermatologist so that he can prescribe something that will make it gone...
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
5 Mar 08
Or I could try a new product. Up here, we have long waiting lists for emergencies. And it costs money to go to a dermatologist. I do not trust prescriptions anyway.
@cdparazo (5765)
• Philippines
23 Feb 08
I really suggest that you have it checked by a dermatologist or doctor. Those warts should be removed or cauterized because they will definitely spread to other parts of your body if not removed.
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
4 Mar 08
I had them since I was a teenager and they are not contagious, because it would be considered cosmetic surgery and I would have to pay for it.
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
23 Feb 08
I do too suspenseful when I have used scented bodysoap or if I sprayed a bit of perfume on my top and my underarm rubs against it, I get a rash too, like ezema (sp). I have sensitive skin so anything perfumed or scented irritates it.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
27 Feb 08
You should see me when I enter a department store near the perfume counter. My eyes start to sting and my nose feels funny. I think it is because they make perfume bases out of chemicals.
@ElicBxn (63235)
• United States
25 Feb 08
Yes, it is possible to be sensitive to your own sweat. If so, then keeping the area extra clean, using the deodorant, etc will help keep the rash down. Now, when i used to shave, I always got kind of a rash when the hair started growing out. Now I don't shave (I'm not real hairy anyway) and I don't have the problem. After my sholder surgery a few yrs ago, they shaved under my arm and when that was growing out it got raw again. SO, you might consider tollerating it long enough to have the hair grow out and maybe it will cure the problem.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
5 Mar 08
That might be it. I find it is when the hairs just poke out, that is when it is the worse, although I do think that the perfume in the soap or the lotions is a problem.
@mamasan34 (6518)
• United States
24 Feb 08
If there is any way that you can see your doctor about those under arm warts I would. That is a highly unusual place for them and maybe a sign of something else going on in your body. If there is a strong sensitivity to your depilatory it could be what is causing you to break out while your hair grows back. I don't think you would be allergic to your own sweat. If that were the case you would probably break out everywhere you have sweat glands. So, best thing to do is to visit your doctor/dermatologist to get the answers you seek.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
5 Mar 08
I think it is the soap. I got some perfumed shower soap and I was using that under my arm. So I stopped using it, and just used Neutrogena that I use on my face, and find the rash disappeared. I will also check the next time I use the depl. and the warts have been there since I was in my teens.
@vicky30 (4766)
• India
23 Feb 08
Soaps and deodorants do not harm the body.sweat also does not cause much harm to the body.I think the rash is because of some skin infection.You could use an antibacterial powder to solve the problem.
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
4 Mar 08
If you are allergic to the perfume, then they are harmful. I cannot even use my husband's Zest soap because then I get an itch. Someone who does not have this problem will not understand. I do put tea tree oil on it, and I can get tea tree oil soap, but right now I use Neutrogena that works and I am looking into getting an aluminum free deodorant for sensitive skin.