Armpit Rash: Everything You Need To Know (Including Home Remedies)

Armpit rash is a skin irritation that many different things can cause. It can be from shaving, wearing too tight or irritating clothes, and even from sweating.

The rash can be dark red bumps, dry skin, inflamed skin, and even acne. There is a possibility that this can be prickly heat, and it usually causes the area around it to itch and burn.

Armpit rash can usually be found on the underarms of whoever has it, but if something is irritating the skin there, one may start to see this rash appear elsewhere on the body. This rash can be contagious, and if someone who has it does something to irritate it, such as shaving or scratching too hard, it can spread.

To help you figure out what might be causing your armpit rash, today we will discuss the different types of armpit rashes and what they look like.

Types of Armpit Rashes

There are multiple types of armpit rashes, and they all look different. However, some of the most common ones that can affect this part of the body include:

Irritant Contact Dermatitis

This is where one has an allergic reaction to something that they came in contact with. They will usually get dark red bumps that may also have pus in them.

Irritant contact dermatitis usually has a burning and itching sensation around the rashes, making it hard to feel good.

One can get this if they use a new product they just bought and it contains an ingredient they are allergic to, such as shaving cream.

Allergic Contact Dermatitis

This one is the same idea as the first type, except that instead of having an allergic reaction to something new, one was allergic to something they have had before.

This type of armpit rash often occurs in people who are known to be allergic to certain things.

Again, this rash is pretty much the same as the first one, although it may not itch so much, and there might be less of a burning sensation associated with it.

Seborrheic Dermatitis

This is where the skin becomes dry and irritated. It often looks like regular eczema, but there is more redness than anything else. It can also be dark brown and has small flakes in it.

Heat Rash (Prickly Heat)

This is where the sweat glands become clogged and that causes them to swell up. This can be pretty painful and will cause one to look like they have hives all over the armpit area.

Atopic Dermatitis or Eczema Rashes

This is where the skin becomes itchy and irritated, just like the other types we have mentioned. However, this type often leaves small blisters that pop up all over the area. It will also often look like it is oozing out wet stuff, and there may even be a horrible smell coming from it.

Intertrigo

This is caused by skin rubbing against skin. This often looks like a red patch with a really bad smell to it. It does not itch as much, but can be very painful when one attempts to move around or if someone were to touch them in the area of the armpit.

Candida or Yeast Infection

This is where the yeast that lives in the armpit area gets out of hand. This often looks like it is a bad case of diaper rash and may also look like the others we have mentioned already, such as seborrheic dermatitis. A candida rash mainly occurs in the moist areas of your body like skin folds, groin, and armpits.

Lichen Planus

This is where one has purple and red patches over their skin. It can also cause a burning sensation and the lymph nodes may swell up as well. This noncontagious rash is thought to be caused by an overactive immune response.

Causes of Armpit Rash

There are several causes for armpit rashes, and they may include:

Hormonal Changes

This is where one’s hormones become unbalanced, and one may end up with a rash in the armpit area. Although this is more common in women, men can also be affected by it.

Sweating Too Much

This is where one sweats so much, and their body does not know how to get rid of it. It also happens when people sweat from exercise or from being in a hot environment.

Dry Skin/Winter Season

This is another common cause of having armpit rashes. It is because the skin becomes so dry, and it often happens when one sees winter approaching.

Food Allergies or Sensitivities

This is where one is allergic to a particular food, and their body shows it by having an armpit rash. It also happens when one eats something that they are sensitive to and causes a reaction in their body.

Yeast Infections

This is where the yeast in the armpit area gets out of control and tries to take over one’s body. This causes many different types of symptoms, including a rash.

Skin Conditions

This is where one has a condition that causes them to have an armpit rash. This one can often be mistaken for other types of rashes that we have mentioned already.

Treatments for Armpit Rashes

There are many different treatments to help with getting rid of armpit rashes. They may include:

• Keeping It Clean –  One of the most important things to do is to keep it clean. That includes getting rid of all dead skin cells and dirt that can get trapped in there.
• Moisturizing the Skin –  Using a good moisturizer will prevent further dryness from happening to one’s skin, and it will also help get rid of the armpit rash.
• Anti-Fungal Creams –  Using an anti-fungal cream will eliminate yeast infections, which may be causing the problem. It can also help with fighting off eczema.
• Antibiotics –  If one has a skin condition causing the problem, they may need to take antibiotics to get rid of it.
• Drinking a Lot of Fluids –  This will help one’s body get rid of the sweat glands clogging up and causing an armpit rash.
• Steroid Creams –  Applying oral or topical steroids may help with skin conditions and skin yeast infections. These can also be used to fight eczema breakouts.

Home and Over the Counter Remedies to Relieve Armpit Rashes

There are several home remedies that one can use to get rid of their armpit rash. They may include:

• Lemon Juice –  One can take some lemon juice and put it on their armpit area to help with the itching. They should also drink a lot of water because lemon juice can also cause them to become dehydrated.
• Salt Water –  One should mix some salt and water and then use it as a solution to help with the itching.
• Apple Cider Vinegar – One can also use apple cider vinegar on their armpit area, and it will help with the itching.
• Aloe Vera – One can take some aloe vera gel or juice and put it on their armpit area to help with the itchiness and burning.

There are also over-the-counter treatments that one can take to help with an armpit rash. They may include:

• Antihistamines –  Taking antihistamines will help to reduce the itching and burning that is going on.
• Prescription Strength Cortisone Cream –  Applying prescription-strength cortisone cream to the armpit area may help with reducing any swelling that is going on.
• OTC Cortisone Cream – One can use an over-the-counter cortisone cream to help with reducing the swelling in one’s armpit area.
• Antifungal Cream –  This will help get rid of any yeast infection that one may have, and it will also help reduce the swelling that may be going on.

Is Aloe Vera Good for Armpit Rash? 

Aloe vera helps with skin irritation. It is great for rashes that are caused by dryness or itching of the skin. The polysaccharides in aloe vera stimulate the growth of new skin cells and increase blood supply to the skin, which speeds up wound healing.

Possible Complications of Armpit Rash

Some complications may happen if one continues to have an armpit rash. They may include:

• Open Sores
• Infection
• Dehydration
• Permanent Skin Discoloration

Armpit Rashes Prevention

There are many things that you can do to prevent armpit rashes. These include:

• Wear Loose Clothes – Wearing loose clothes will give the skin room to breathe, and it will help prevent an armpit rash from happening.
• Keep Skin Clean – One should always wash their armpit area every day. If one does not, then they may end up having body odor issues or an underarm rash.
• Wash Clothing After Wearing it –  Also, if one wears clothing more than once before washing it, they may get an underarm rash.
• Wash Clothes in Warm Water –  When washing clothes, they should always use warm water and not hot water. Hot water can cause them to shrink, and it may irritate the skin.
• Dry Your Underarms Thoroughly – One must dry their skin really well. If they do not, then the skin can stay sweaty, and this can lead to skin irritation.
• Wear Cotton Undergarments – One should wear cotton undergarments to help with sensitive skin irritation.

When to See a Doctor About an Armpit Rash?

One should seek professional medical advice if they have any of the following symptoms:

• Open Sores that are Bleeding or Drainage from Them
• Infection Around the Area
• Pus Formation around the Armpit Area
• Fever and Chills
• Pain that is Worse than the Itching or Burning

Final Thoughts

An armpit rash can be very uncomfortable, but with the right home remedies and medications, one should get rid of it. If any of the above treatments do not work, then it is best to talk to a doctor about what they can do next.