If your armpit is itchy, red, flaking or bumpy, you may be having an allergic reaction to your deodorant. The various ingredients in deodorant, which help it mask the odor of sweat, can be a common cause of contact dermatitis.
Contact dermatitis, a type of eczema, happens when the skin becomes irritated or inflamed after coming in contact with a substance that triggers an allergic reaction.
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Common allergens in deodorant
“There are many allergens that can be found in deodorants,” said Dr. Ari Zelig, an allergist and immunologist with Charleston ENT and Allergy in Charleston, South Carolina.
Fragrances are the most prevalent allergen in deodorant.1 One Danish study found that deodorants were the leading cause of fragrance allergy, especially for men.2
Fragrances can be particularly ubiquitous in cosmetic products like deodorant. In a scientific review of studies, researchers found that fragrance was a prominent ingredient in cosmetic products.3 In addition, the fragrance in these products had a combination of three to four allergens in the same product, which makes it difficult to avoid exposure.3
Although fragrance is a common allergen in deodorant, there are other ingredients that can also cause problems. “Propylene glycol is an ingredient that’s commonly in deodorant, and some people are sensitive to it, which may lead to contact dermatitis to it,” said Dr. Michael Nevid, a pediatric allergist and immunologist at National Jewish Health in Denver, Colorado. Propylene glycol is typically used in deodorant to help give it a firm texture and help it roll on to the skin.
Dr. Nevid also pointed out that essential oils, lanolin and parabens are other common allergens found in deodorant. These ingredients are also known to cause contact reactions. Finding products without any of these ingredients can be a real challenge. A 2008 study assessed all of the deodorants available at Walgreens pharmacies in Chicago, Illinois. Of the 107 available products, only eight were free of fragrances or other commonly allergenic ingredients.1
Is your deodorant causing contact dermatitis?
There are two main types of contact dermatitis: irritant and allergic. Irritant contact dermatitis is the most common type of contact dermatitis. It occurs when a substance damages or inflames the skin. It typically develops at the first sign of contact between the skin and irritating substance. Irritant contact dermatitis can be easier to identify because symptoms usually arise immediately, causing stinging or discomfort.
Allergic contact dermatitis is a delayed allergic reaction that appears as a rash a day or two after skin is exposed to the allergen. It is caused by the body mounting an inflammatory response to a specific ingredient. With repeated use, your immune system recognizes the substance as an allergen, and it causes an itchy skin response.
There are a few things to consider when determining whether deodorant is causing contact dermatitis.
First, think about when the symptoms appeared. Irritant contact reactions are characterized by stinging or discomfort when applying your deodorant to skin. If this happens to you, it could be time to look for a new product.
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Since allergic contact reactions are delayed, they can be more difficult to pinpoint. But there are indicators.
Dr. Zelig explained that contact dermatitis “presents as a scaly, itchy rash in the armpits where the deodorant is applied.”
Taking a break from deodorant is another way to tell if it’s causing a reaction. “We tell [patients] to stop using deodorant for a few weeks and see if it improves,” said Dr. Nevid.
Diagnosing contact dermatitis from deodorant
“The ultimate test for contact dermatitis is patch testing,” said Dr. Nevid. In a patch test, a potential allergen is placed on a patient’s back and then covered with an adhesive patch. Dr. Nevid explained that the patches are removed after 48 hours. Then, patients are asked to return to the clinic 72-96 hours later to assess whether or not an allergic reaction occurred.
“There’s an opportunity to take your own skincare products and test them with a patch as well,” said Dr. Nevid.
Bringing your own products to your doctor for testing is recommended.3 Since thousands of chemicals are used in fragrances, it isn’t possible to try them all in a single patch test. As a result, an allergy could be missed if your doctor doesn’t stock the specific ingredients used in your products.
How to assess an armpit rash when you have atopic dermatitis
If you have atopic dermatitis, you tend to be very sensitive to skincare products with fragrances. If you have a rash in your armpit, it can be difficult to know if the reaction is from your deodorant or something else.
Dr. Nevid explained that for people with atopic dermatitis, a rash in the armpit could be the result of other types of rashes or infections, not just deodorant. “It could be that the patient’s atopic dermatitis just happens to be at that location without the deodorant,” he said.
Sweat could also be to blame. Many people with atopic dermatitis experience irritation when the salts in sweat come into contact with their skin.
One step to help decipher if you’re having contact dermatitis from deodorant or if you’re having a flare from atopic dermatitis is to stop using the deodorant for a few weeks to see if it goes away.
How to treat contact dermatitis from deodorant
The best way to treat contact dermatitis from deodorant is to stop using the deodorant that is causing the allergic reaction. Once you identify the ingredient(s) that are causing the reaction, the most important step is to avoid using it going forward.
“The overall message with contact dermatitis is to try to avoid triggers,” Dr. Nevid said. “It’s the ultimate treatment.”
Identifying triggers isn’t always easy. And cutting out deodorant altogether may not be possible. In these instances, there are other treatments available. “If it’s not avoidable or you’re having trouble figuring out what that trigger is, you can use topical corticosteroids or topical calcineurin inhibitors similar to how we treat atopic dermatitis,” said Dr. Nevid. “But ultimately, the hope is to be finding those triggers and removing them.”
Choosing the right deodorant when you have eczema
Whether you have atopic dermatitis or are prone to contact dermatitis, finding the right deodorant is key to preventing eczema flares from happening.
“In general, patients with eczema should be using hypoallergenic, unscented skincare products, and that includes deodorants,” said Dr. Zelig.
When looking for a deodorant, read labels carefully to avoid your triggers. Even products marked “unscented” can have masking fragrances, so it’s essential to examine all the listed ingredients carefully.
“Discussing the option of patch testing with your allergist or dermatologist is also highly recommended to help identify and avoid your triggers,” said Dr. Zelig.
Dr. Zelig explained that once allergens have been identified, “your allergist or dermatologist can help you assemble a safe product list.”
The good news is that although they can take some time to diagnose, flares caused by deodorant are relatively easy to treat. Once you find a product that works for you, uncomfortable underarm rashes could be a thing of the past.
Look for the Seal
To find eczema-friendly skincare products, including moisturizers and cleansers, visit the National Eczema Association’s Seal of Acceptance™ Product Directory. Deodorant products will be added to the product directory in fall 2024.
References
1. Zirwas MJ, Moennich J. Antiperspirant and deodorant allergy: diagnosis and management. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2008;1(3):38-43. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3013594/
2. Heisterberg MV, Menné T, Andersen KE, et al. Deodorants are the leading cause of allergic contact dermatitis to fragrance ingredients. Contact Dermatitis. 2011;64(5):258-64. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21480912/
3. Johansen JD. Fragrance contact allergy: a clinical review. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2003;4(11):789-98. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14572300/
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