What deodorant should you use for an underarm rash?

What should you look for in a replacement?

A fragrance free product designed for sensitive skin is a reasonable starting point. Other deodorant ingredients associated with itching include aluminum, lanolin, parabens and propylene glycol. Avoid an ingredient if it triggers your symptoms; that list is not a reason to rule out every ingredient for everyone. If you know your allergen, check the replacement's full ingredient list for it. Changing brands without checking ingredients can leave you exposed to the same trigger.12

Deodorant controls odor rather than sweat, so the two jobs do not come bundled just because the packaging shares a shelf. Antiperspirants reduce sweating through aluminum ingredients. Choose between them based on whether you need odor control or sweat reduction, while avoiding your identified triggers.4

What should you do while the rash settles?

1. 1Stop the suspected product. If deodorant is still on your skin, rinse the area thoroughly with water to remove it.
2. 2Wash your underarms daily, especially after sweating. If ordinary soap irritates your skin, use an emollient soap substitute.
3. 3Gently dry the skin after washing, then apply a suitable moisturizer while the skin is still moist. Smooth it on in the direction of hair growth rather than rubbing.
4. 4Pause shaving until the irritation goes away, and avoid clothing materials that irritate the area.

Emollients are moisturizers that reduce water loss and protect dry skin. Creams and lotions tend to suit inflamed areas better than ointments, which suit very dry skin that is not inflamed. Apply your emollient frequently; for very dry skin, use it 2 to 4 times daily or as directed. Stop a moisturizer that causes a reaction and ask a pharmacist for an alternative. Keep emollients away from naked flames because some can be a fire hazard.6

A whole body deodorant still targets odor rather than treating a rash, despite the ambitious job title. Its ingredients can also irritate sensitive areas, so switching to that category does not solve the problem of an irritating ingredient.4

How long does the rash take to clear?

Mild contact dermatitis can settle within a few days after avoiding the cause. Itching can improve before the visible rash disappears, and some reactions take several weeks to clear. An allergic reaction can appear 24 to 48 hours after exposure, and you can develop an allergy to a product you previously tolerated for years. Repeated or persistent reactions can need medical patch testing to identify the allergen.57

When should you get medical help?

See a doctor if the rash persists, keeps returning or is severe. Get medical help if it spreads, disrupts sleep, or comes with severe pain, fever or an underarm lump. Increasing tenderness, warmth or pus can signal infection. A pharmacist can help with moisturizers; a doctor can identify the cause and decide whether a steroid cream or another treatment is appropriate.1257