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.
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.
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.
