underarm blotches

[fairy1973]

my husband has red blotches under his arm pits at first we thought it was his deodorant so he stopped using it and has not used any since then we thought it was the soap he used  so he switched soaps 3days later, but it is still there they are flat  and various sizes and are only under his arm pits and they have no feel to them not bumpy or dry
what could this be


This discussion is related to Armpit infection.

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi,

Is this present in both his armpits?

Has he been using the same brand of deodorant for sometime already?

Differentials will be contact or allergic dermatitis, folliculitis, a fungal infection and hidradenitis suppurativa.

A dermatitis usually presents as red areas which may present with tiny vesicles (bumps containing fluid) and itchiness. Folliculitis is a bacterial skin infection that may be contagious and may appear pimple like affecting the base of hair follicles.  A fungal infection thrives in moist and warm areas like the armpits and the groin. They may be itchy and at one point may be scaly. Hidradenitis suppurativa is a disorder of the apocrine gland(a special form of sweat gland)." The cause of hidradenitis suppurativa isn't known. But it is considered a severe form of acne (acne inversa) because it occurs deep in the skin around oil (sebaceous) glands and hair follicles. The parts of the body affected — the groin and armpits, for example — are also the main locations of apocrine sweat glands."

(http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hidradenitis-suppurativa/DS00818)

These differentials that I have mentioned may be readily diagnosed given a complete physical examination. Hidradentis suppurativa may be the least likely differential but it is best to have it considered until your physician has assessed your husband's skin condition.

Stop using the deodorant. Always keep the area dry. Using shirts of light and cool material such as cotton may help. Avoiding strong abrasive and scented soaps when washing the area.