6 Causes, Symptoms, and How to Treat Them

• An armpit rash is often caused by irritation from sweat, friction, soap, or dryness.
• It could also be an allergic reaction to fragrances or propylene glycol (a deodorant ingredient).
• Other causes of an armpit rash include a yeast infection, psoriasis, or seborrheic dermatitis.

Rashes are pesky patches of irritated skin that can affect any part of your body, including your armpits. 

Typically, armpit rashes aren’t dangerous, but they can certainly be uncomfortable and range from itchy to painful. If you’re experiencing a persistent rash alongside other symptoms, it’s best to see a doctor to figure out what’s going on. 

Here are six potential causes of armpit rashes and how to treat them.

1. Contact dermatitis

Armpit rashes can be due to either irritant contact dermatitis or allergic contact dermatitis.

Irritant contact dermatitis of the armpit results in a red, inflamed rash, caused by an external substance, says Dr. Christopher G. Bunick, a dermatologist at Yale Medicine and an associate professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine. 

This occurs when some kind of substance irritates your skin, damaging its outermost layer. It is due to irritation, not an allergy. 

Bunick says common causes of irritant contact dermatitis in the armpits include:

• Sweat
• Friction due to movement or clothing
• Skin dryness
• Low humidity
• Soaps
• Excessive washing

Allergic contact dermatitis also results in a red, inflamed rash. However, this rash occurs due to an allergy to something that’s coming into contact with your skin, says Dr. Hyemin Pomerantz, a  board-certified dermatologist at VivaSkin Dermatology and Aesthetics. 

“Your skin can become allergic to a certain ingredient of a product. An allergic reaction can happen at any time –– even to the product you’ve been using for a long time,” Pomerantz says. 

Common offenders are fragrances in perfume or cologne or propylene glycol which is in some deodorants, says Pomerantz.

Other symptoms of irritant contact dermatitis include:

• Hyperpigmented patches of skin that may be leathery (most common in people of color)
• Scaly, cracked, and dry skin (most common in white people)
• Blisters that may ooze and crust over
• Burning

How to treat it: The key to treating this is to determine what is causing the irritation or allergy and then eliminate it, Bunick says. 

Additionally, you can apply a topical steroid for a couple of weeks to soothe irritation and inflammation, he says. In more serious cases, your doctor might prescribe you non-steroidal anti-inflammatory topicals.

2. Folliculitis  

Folliculitis occurs when your hair follicles are inflamed, typically due to bacteria. Since there are plenty of hair follicles in your armpits, it’s a common place for the condition to occur. Bunick says the most frequent cause is a staphylococcus (staph) infection. Folliculitis will result in red papules, bumps, or even larger boils that can be painful. The rash can also be itchy. 

How to treat it: Topical antibiotics are usually the first course of treatment. In more serious cases, Bunick says you might need to take oral antibiotics to clear up the bacterial infection. 

It’s also important to take measures to prevent it from happening again. Bunick says preventative measures include shaving with clean razors (if you shave your armpits) and using benzoyl peroxide washes to lessen the chances of bacteria infecting your underarm hair follicles. 

3. Yeast infection

A yeast infection is a type of fungal infection. “Yeast and fungus are very common in our environment. They love to grow in moist and warm environments, so it’s not surprising that they may overgrow on our armpits,” Pomerantz says.  

This overgrowth of yeast can cause inflammation and a rash. Symptoms of a yeast infection on the skin of your armpit include:

• Bright red rash
• Itching
• Burning
• Spots that look like pimples

How to treat it: Your doctor may prescribe antifungal treatment, either topical or oral, depending on the individual case, says Pomerantz.

You can also make some minor changes to reduce your risk of recurring infections, including:

• Avoiding tight clothing
• Maintaining good hygiene
• Changing your bra frequently 
• Treating any other underlying skin conditions 

4. Seborrheic dermatitis

“Seborrheic dermatitis is an inflammatory skin rash that can be confused with eczema or psoriasis,” Bunick says. While this condition is most common on the scalp, it can also show up in the armpits.

Symptoms of a seborrheic dermatitis rash include:

• Greasy skin patches covered in scales
• Hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation in people of color
• Redness in white people
• Itching

How to treat it: Since fungus may cause seborrheic dermatitis, the rash often responds to antifungal medications, says Bunick. Usually, it will be a topical antifungal but more serious cases may need oral antifungal medications. Topical steroids can help with inflammation, too. 

5. Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a condition related to the immune system. There is a specific type of psoriasis known as inverse psoriasis which primarily affects regions where there are skin folds –– including the armpits. There are typically less thick scales present in inverse psoriasis than in traditional psoriasis, Pomerantz says. 

Some symptoms of the rash associated with inverse psoriasis are: 

• Rash that may range in color, from pink to red or purple to brown 
• Cracks in the skin
• Patches of skin might feel moist to the touch 
• Itching

How to treat it: There’s no cure for inverse psoriasis, but your doctor can prescribe various treatments to help relieve your symptoms. Pomerantz says some options include topical medications, oral medications, injections, and light treatments. 

6. Acanthosis nigricans 

Acanthosis nigricans is a condition often linked to obesity and/or diabetes, and it presents as skin darkening, brown to dark brown in color, with a “velvety thickening,” Bunick says. People who see this in their armpits may also have it in other body creases. 

Other symptoms include:

• Itchiness
• Odor in the area
• Skin tags 

How to treat it: Bunick says using a topical retinoid can help reduce pigmentation and thickening of the affected areas. To control any pain or odor, your doctor might also prescribe other medications or creams. 

Additionally, Bunick says it’s important to address the underlying causes by losing weight or controlling your blood sugar, as directed by your doctor. 

Insider’s takeaway

Irritants, allergies, bacteria, fungus, and more can result in armpit rashes that vary in severity.
If there is any kind of troublesome rash in your armpits and you’re experiencing discomfort, especially if the rash is persistent, it’s best to see your doctor. They can help determine the exact type of rash and prescribe any necessary treatments to get you feeling better. 

Ashley Laderer

Ashley Laderer is a freelance writer from New York who specializes in health and wellness. Follow her on Twitter @ashladerer

Read moreRead less

Armpit Yeast Infection| Symptoms Causes Prevention Tips

Most of the people might have this assumption that yeast infection can only happen below. Yeast infections is actually a serious problem that could be very discomforting and irritating. It usually starts with itching in the armpits and then it could go up to severe infection that also contains pus and moisturized feeling. This condition of armpits is known as armpit yeast infection, also called as Candidiasis. This is a fungal infection that could possibly have several health hazards and could affect your lifestyle. Today we will discuss about armpit yeast infection in further detail. 

What is Armpit Yeast Infection? 

Yeast infections are of several types and depending on the individual, it could affect their health status. Yeast infection on the skin might cause irritation, itching and redness on the armpits which might develop into overgrowth. It can also dig beneath the surface of the skin and therefore could affect your health. We spoke with Dr. Arun Mehta, Senior Dermatologist, BNK Hospital, Bangalore to know about these infections and problems. He said that any type of yeast infection can only occur when there are damp or moist surfaces on the body. If you wear wet clothes, especially tight ones, then it increases your chances of getting yeast infection.  

Armpits could probably be a very common place of getting infections, especially in the summers because of sweat. The sweat glands make you sweat in underarms because of which your shirt/ top might become wet and it remains like that until you change or bath. 

Symptoms of Armpit Yeast Infection 

One of the most common symptoms of yeast infection on the armpits is red rashes or skin folds in the area. The rashes can actually cause a burning sensation in the armpits. Check out these symptoms of armpit yeast infection- 

• Bright red rashes on the skin folds 
• Rashes that tend to become itchy 
• Burning sensation in armpits 
• Pimple like spots on the skin 
• Scaling and swelling 

Armpit yeast infection do not normally cause any particular smell or odor. Yeast infection is happening because of skin infection that is called as intertrigo. At most you might notice a musky smell. Intertrigo is a common type of inflammation that results in moisture due to rubbing of skin folds. 

Also Read- Reasons Why You Experience Cramps Without Periods 

What Causes Armpit Yeast Infection? 

A yeast infection which is quite commonly known as candida is the culprit behind the yeast infection. Candida grows and thrive most in the warm and moist environments. This temperature is quite soothing for fungal infections to rise. It could even be affected because of the following reasons- 

• Poor hygiene 
• Infrequent undergarment changes 
• Skin conditions such as psoriasis or intertrigo 
• Tight clothing 
• Hot and humid climate 

Risk Factors that Influence Yeast Infection in Armpits 

• If you are pregnant 
• Because of being overweight or obese 
• Taking some kind of antibiotics that kill bacteria  
• Receiving cancer treatment, specifically chemotherapy 

Yeast infections are actually more common in people that have a weakened immune system. This could also be affected because of conditions such as HIV/AIDS. Diabetes could also trigger or increase the risk of this conditions in some of the cases. Due to use of medications, they suppress your immune system. 

Also Read- What Is FTA-ABS Blood test And How To Prevent It

How can you Prevent Armpit Yeast Infection? 

Doctor gives some tips that you can follow in order to keep the yeast infection affecting your armpits away. You can use drying powders and topical antiperspirants to prevent yeast infections.  

1. Reduce your weight and keep symptoms of diabetes in check 
2. Wash your undergarments regularly and always wear fresh clothes 
3. Maintain proper blood sugar levels that could aid in controlling the hypertension 
4. Yeast infection in armpits should be checked by dermatologist regularly 
5. Do not scratch your armpits or use any harsh anti-perspirant on your body 
6. Take a bath after coming your body or armpits have been full of sweat, clean armpits properly with dry towel to avoid moisture.

Picture Credits- freepik.com

Skin candidiasis, drugs from the pharmaceutical company Vishpha

09/29/2021

In the human body, there is always a huge amount of bacteria that make up a beneficial microflora and contribute to the proper functioning of all organs.

There are times when one of the types of bacteria begins to multiply rapidly, which can lead to unpleasant consequences. One such microorganism that lives on the skin is Candida. In the optimal amount, it is good for health, and when it is in excess, it causes a disease called candidiasis.

Most people mistakenly believe that candidiasis can only affect the genitals. The mucous surfaces of the mouth, skin folds, skin and hair cover are exposed to the disease. Candida fungus is constantly present on the skin, but under special conditions it can begin to develop a disease that requires medical intervention.

Reasons for the development of the disease

A number of factors can provoke candidiasis:

– violation of metabolic processes;

– overweight;

– weakened immune system;

– diabetes;

– beriberi;

– infectious diseases;

– poisoning;

– antibiotic treatment.

The development of candidiasis of the skin can also occur for external reasons:

– hot weather, causing increased sweating in combination with synthetic clothing and tight shoes;

– features of the profession – the chemical industry, the production of building materials, pharmaceuticals;

– mechanical damage to the skin – wounds, burns, scratches;

– non-observance of hygiene rules.

The disease is very common, but not fatal. Prompt detection and proper therapy allow you to quickly get rid of the disease and prevent its development and unpleasant consequences.

Signs of cutaneous candidiasis

Most often, candidiasis affects the skin folds in the inguinal-femoral, intergluteal areas, under the armpits, under the breast, and the effectiveness of its treatment depends on how quickly it is detected. You can identify the disease by a number of symptoms:

– the skin in the places of infection turns red, begins to itch;

– small, smooth vesicles and pimples appear in the area of ​​​​skin folds, which can burst over time, leaving a wet, mucous coating;

– the top layer of damaged skin cracks, wrinkles, thickenings, scars are created.

In addition to discomfort and ugly appearance, the problem can have serious consequences – if not diagnosed and treated, the disease can develop into chronic cutaneous mucosal candidiasis. This disease causes recurrence of fungal infections, can cause the development of other, more serious diseases.

Treatment of cutaneous candidiasis

The main task of doctors, when diagnosing candidiasis, is to eliminate the factors that caused the development of the fungus, to normalize the amount of the microorganism. To do this, use antifungal ointments that are not absorbed into the blood, act locally at the site of infection, normalizing the balance of bacteria, relieving unpleasant symptoms. In some cases, drugs are additionally prescribed to stabilize the bacterial background, means to strengthen the immune system, a special diet (the patient is advised to exclude pastries, fatty, smoked, sweet foods from the diet. Raw vegetables, fruits, live dairy biocultures should be taken in large quantities).

Effective antifungal drugs are the basis of quality treatment. The best option in terms of price-quality ratio are medicines from the Ukrainian manufacturer of the Zhytomyr pharmaceutical factory Vishpha.