Your armpits are a moist, dark place that bacteria and other microbes love to grow in. Many people wear deodorant because some of this bacteria can become smelly as they grow. But sometimes your armpits and what you use on them just don’t work together properly- and the result is an underarm rash. 

But rashes don’t necessarily mean you have bad hygiene habits. In fact, it’s sometimes the very things you use to stay clean and put-together that can cause rashes. Here are some things that may be making your underarms break out in an underarm rash.

Allergens
Determining whether you have an allergy to soap, lotion, laundry detergent, deodorant, or shampoo can be tricky. But generally starting with your deodorant is a good idea, since it’s the product that comes the most in contact with your underarm skin. Contact dermatitis is very common, and it works very simply: if you’re allergic to something and it touches your skin, you get a rash- in this case, an underarm rash. Try changing your products or stop using certain products for a few days to see what is causing the irritation. Try Clarsskin to completely clean your underarms of any product so you can more easily identify allergens.

Fingernails
If your underarms itch, it’s very tempting to scratch them with your fingernails. But doing so will just irritate the skin further, prolonging your discomfort and potentially cause more irritation or even scarring if you break the skin. Instead, try putting a damp cloth over your rash, using hydrocortisone cream, apply some calamine lotion, or soak in a refreshing oatmeal bath to sooth extremely irritated skin. If your rash is painful, an aspirin or ibuprofen can help.

Friction
When parts of your skin rub together, irritation can occur. This is very common in the underarm region. Add the moisture and heat of this area, and you have prime conditions for irritation. If the skin is broken and fungus or bacteria start growing, it can become infected.
One such infection is candidiasis, otherwise known as a yeast infection. Like a heat rash or any friction rashes, you can help prevent these infections by wearing loose-fitting, light clothing and keeping your underarms clean and dry.

Temperature
When you’re sweating and perspiration builds up under the skin, a bumpy and sometimes painful inflammation called heat rash can occur. Although the exact cause is not always possible to determine, you can avoid potential contributing factors such as some kinds of fabric, clothes that fit tightly, bacteria, lotions and other products that block pores, and medications.

Shaving
The skin under your arms is very sensitive- hence the ticklish sensation. Shaving is ok, but it can cause irritation. Putting deodorant or other products on skin broken by a razor can make your skin even more irritated. You can help avoid shaving irritation and by using shaving cream to get a smoother shave, using slow and short strokes, and waiting until morning to put on your deodorant if you shave in the evening. You can also use Clarsskin to completely remove shaving residue and help treat your underarm rash.