Underarm deodorants and antiperspirants are some of the most common sources of allergic reactions to cosmetics. They can cause an armpit rash, skin peeling, and more.

This article explains the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment of deodorant and antiperspirant allergies.

Deodorants vs. Antiperspirants

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies deodorants as cosmetic agents. They reduce bacterial growth and include fragrances to mask odors.

Symptoms

Deodorants and antiperspirants are generally considered safe products. However, sometimes allergic reactions can occur. Allergies that result from something that your skin comes in contact with are called contact dermatitis.

Contact dermatitis is often limited to the area that the offending substance touched. With deodorants and antiperspirants, that’s usually the armpit.

Allergies to deodorants and antiperspirants can cause the following symptoms:

  • ItchingBumpsRednessBlistersFlakingPeelingOozing

How long it takes for symptoms to appear can vary. Symptoms may occur within minutes of applying the product or as long as hours later.

Sometimes the effects resolve quickly—within an hour. But they can last for days and might not clear up until you completely stop using the product.

Causes

Several chemicals can contribute to contact dermatitis from deodorants and antiperspirants. The most common trigger is fragrances.

Since most deodorants and antiperspirants contain fragrances, you’ll need to look for products with “fragrance-free” product labels if you have a fragrance allergy. Also, remember that “unscented products,” which usually do not have a particular smell, may contain masking fragrances that could trigger your allergies.

Fragrance allergy affects between 0.7% to 2.6% of all people.

Other causes of contact dermatitis from deodorants and antiperspirants include:

  • Propylene glycol (an agent used as a “carrier” for active ingredients)
  • Parabens
  • Vitamin E (as an antioxidant and moisturizer)
  • Lanolin

Research About Other Conditions

Some studies have found possible links between deodorants or antiperspirants and an increased risk of specific health conditions. However, currently, there is insufficient evidence to support the claims. They include:

  • Parabens and breast cancer: According to a study, there was some concern that parabens (used as a preservative) in these products were responsible for increasing breast cancer rates. While the link is unproven, most manufacturers no longer use parabens in deodorants and antiperspirants.
  • Aluminum and Alzheimer’s disease: While aluminum, found in antiperspirants, has been blamed for an increase in Alzheimer’s disease, this idea has largely been debunked. Although aluminum deposits can be seen in brain tissue from people with Alzheimer’s disease, little aluminum from antiperspirants is absorbed by the human body. Moreover, even in those with regular industrial exposure to aluminum, increased rates of Alzheimer’s disease are not consistently seen. Whether aluminum deposits cause Alzheimer’s disease or are a result of Alzheimer’s disease is not clear.

Diagnosis

Allergies aren’t the only cause of underarm rashes, so your doctor will want to consider other things that may be contributing to your discomfort. Other causes unrelated to deodorants and antiperspirants include:

Recap

Fragrances are the most common trigger for deodorant and antiperspirant allergies. However, other chemicals in these products can also cause allergic reactions.

  • Fungal and yeast infections (such as tinea corporis and candidiasis)
  • Inverse psoriasis
  • Acanthosis nigricans
  • Certain forms of cancer

Patch Test

Doctors diagnose contact dermatitis from deodorants and antiperspirants by patch testing. The only FDA-approved patch testing system in the United States is the T.R.U.E. test.

Unfortunately, this test doesn’t reliably detect allergies to uncommon fragrances and propylene glycol. Therefore, your allergist might do a patch test using your deodorant or antiperspirant if they suspect it may be causing your problem.

Treatment

The treatment for deodorant and antiperspirant allergies involves managing your symptoms and then avoiding the offending products.

Corticosteroids

The immediate treatment of deodorant and antiperspirant allergy is to apply topical corticosteroids to the underarm skin. These products reduce redness, itching, and inflammation.

Avoidance

To manage and prevent allergy symptoms, avoid the chemical that’s responsible for the reaction. If patch testing identifies the specific chemical, then you can select products that don’t contain the chemical that triggers your allergy, such as:

Topical corticosteroids are the treatment of choice for mild to moderate contact dermatitis involving limited body areas. Severe forms may require oral or injected corticosteroids.

  • Hypoallergenic products: If the particular component that’s causing your contact dermatitis is not known, then you can try using a hypoallergenic deodorant or antiperspirant.Natural products: You might consider products containing zeolite crystals available commercially as natural alternatives to deodorants and antiperspirants. These include Crystal Body Deodorant, which is available at drugstores nationwide.

If avoidance and corticosteroid treatments are not effective for treating your rash, then you should be evaluated by a dermatologist, who might do a skin biopsy.

Prevention

If you develop a rash or irritation in your underarm, try switching to a hypoallergenic product to see if it helps. Some hypoallergenic deodorants and antiperspirants include:

If you are allergic to something in deodorant or antiperspirant, avoid products that contain that chemical. If it’s unclear which substance triggers your allergy, you may want to try hypoallergenic deodorant products.

  • Almay Hypo-Allergenic Fragrance-Free Roll-On (deodorant and antiperspirant)Mitchum Roll-On Unscented (deodorant and antiperspirant)Stiefel B-Drier (deodorant and antiperspirant)Certain Dri (antiperspirant)Crystal Roll-On Body Deodorant for Sensitive Skin (deodorant)Crystal Stick Body Deodorant for Sensitive Skin (deodorant)Secret Soft Solid Platinum Deodorant Unscented (deodorant)

Summary

Allergies to deodorants and antiperspirants are a form of contact dermatitis. Often these allergies are caused by fragrances, but other chemicals in the product can also cause them.

If you have a deodorant allergy, you may find that hypoallergenic or natural products keep you from reacting. In the meantime, topical corticosteroids can also reduce redness and inflammation.

If your allergies persist, be sure to contact your doctor or see a dermatologist. They will rule out other potential causes and help you with a plan to manage symptoms and avoid triggers.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What can cause a rash in your armpit?
  • An underarm rash can be caused by contact dermatitis from ingredients in deodorant or antiperspirant, a fungal or yeast infection, psoriasis, and acanthosis nigricans. Shaving can also cause an armpit rash.
  • What ingredients in deodorant and antiperspirants can cause armpit irritation?
  • Fragrances are the most common skin irritant in deodorants and antiperspirants. Other potentially irritating ingredients in commercial products include propylene glycol, parabens, vitamin E, and lanolin. Ingredients in natural deodorants can also cause skin irritation. These include baking soda, essential oils, and coconut oil.
  • What type of deodorants or antiperspirants are safe for underarm rashes?
  • Look for fragrance-free or hypoallergenic antiperspirants and deodorants. You may also find that products containing zeolite crystals don’t irritate your skin. Always check the label for potentially irritating ingredients.
  • How do you treat an armpit rash from deodorant or antiperspirant?
  • Topical corticosteroids are typically used to treat contact dermatitis. Over-the-counter cortisone creams like Cortizone-10 may help. If your symptoms do not resolve in a week, see a dermatologist, who can prescribe a more potent treatment.

An underarm rash can be caused by contact dermatitis from ingredients in deodorant or antiperspirant, a fungal or yeast infection, psoriasis, and acanthosis nigricans. Shaving can also cause an armpit rash.

Fragrances are the most common skin irritant in deodorants and antiperspirants. Other potentially irritating ingredients in commercial products include propylene glycol, parabens, vitamin E, and lanolin. 

Look for fragrance-free or hypoallergenic antiperspirants and deodorants. You may also find that products containing zeolite crystals don’t irritate your skin. Always check the label for potentially irritating ingredients.

Topical corticosteroids are typically used to treat contact dermatitis. Over-the-counter cortisone creams like Cortizone-10 may help. If your symptoms do not resolve in a week, see a dermatologist, who can prescribe a more potent treatment.