Underarm rash

Hello -

About a month ago I was about to put on my regular anti-perspirant and I noted under both arms it was a litte red and the skin was peeling.  I stopped for a few days and the area began to heal.  Then I switched to a deodarant instead and now I am noticing some peeling under both arms, but no redness.  

The anti-persiprant I used, I have been using for at least 6 months or more, so not sure why now I am reacting to it.  Then I was surprised to react to a different deodarant.

Is there something milder that I should use, but still does the job?  What do you suggest?

thanks.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Many people have eczema under their arms.  Antiperspirant aggravates it, but doesn't cause it.  (Nothing in particular causes it--it' often hereditary, but because it's so minor and temporary, people don't know or remember they had it.)  Try some over-the-counter 1% hydrocortisone, or if that fails, a prescription.  Then you should be able to use any antiperspirant you want.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff

[LULU1984]

Hello,
  I have a really strange rash on my underarms, and i've had it for as long as i can remember.  I try changing deodorents, or putting some hydrocordisone cream, and it still doesn't go away... I wash every night and apply baby powder to see if that soothes my skin, but it doesn't work.  I never wear sleeve-less shirts because my underarms look really dark and nasty... what can i do? what can i put on it? what do you recommend?
               Thanks!

[Bigmamma01]

A related discussion, Underarm oder with rash was started.