How to prevent underarm chafing

What causes underarm chafing?

Chafing happens when repeated rubbing damages skin. Underarms are vulnerable because skin touches skin and sweat collects there. Clothing can rub too, especially when it fits poorly or has rough fabric, which is an ambitious side project for a shirt. Heat, humidity and sweaty activity make the problem worse.1

How do you prevent skin rubbing under your arms?

1. 1Before activity, choose a properly fitting top without tight, restrictive armholes. Check tags and underarm seams, because an athletic label does not stop a seam from behaving like a seam.
2. 2Choose fabric that moves sweat away from skin. Avoid cotton for sweaty activity because it absorbs moisture and dries slowly.
3. 3Apply an anti chafing product before you start moving, rather than waiting for soreness.
4. 4After exercise, bathe and dry your underarms completely. A hairdryer on its cool setting can help dry the folds.
5. 5Change out of clothing that is contributing to rubbing. If an activity causes soreness, pause it while the skin heals.

If sweating remains a problem, an antiperspirant cream or powder can reduce it. Antiperspirants can also cause dryness and irritation, so stop a product that seems to trigger a rash. For sensitive skin, fabric choice needs two checks: whether it handles moisture and whether it irritates you. Some synthetic fabrics can irritate sensitive skin; avoid a fabric that repeatedly causes trouble rather than choosing it only for its sweat handling.23

How do you soothe chafed skin under your arms?

Wash minor chafing with mild soap and water, then dry the area. Aloe vera gel and a thin layer of petroleum jelly can reduce friction, irritation and pain. Avoid excessive washing, which can add irritation. Minor chafing usually clears within a few days once the rubbing stops.12

Can deodorant cause underarm chafing?

Deodorant can cause contact dermatitis, a rash from irritation or an allergic reaction, rather than friction chafing. Fragrance, preservatives and other deodorant ingredients can trigger reactions. Clues include intense itching, burning, swelling, dryness or blisters where you apply the product. An allergic reaction can take time to appear, so the timing is not always obvious.245

Stop using the suspected deodorant and watch whether the rash clears. If fragrance is the suspected trigger, choose a product labeled "fragrance free." "Unscented" can mean fragrance has been covered up rather than removed. Choose by the trigger you need to avoid. A dermatologist can help identify the cause when avoiding the suspected product does not resolve the problem.35

When does an underarm rash need medical care?

Persistent inflammation in a moist skin fold can be intertrigo, a rash made worse by heat, moisture and skin rubbing together. Intertrigo itself is not an infection, but damaged skin can allow bacteria or fungi to overgrow. People with diabetes or a weakened immune system are more likely to develop it. An underarm rash can resemble other conditions, so appearance alone is not enough to identify the cause.6

Seek prompt medical care for a foul smell, pus filled bumps or raised, tender bumps. Contact a clinician if symptoms worsen or do not improve within a few days. Treatment depends on the cause; strong steroid creams are best avoided in skin folds because they can thin the skin.126