Getting to the Bottom of Underarm Irritation
How to Care for Your Underarms When They’re Irritated
by Skin Expert Dr. Terrence Keaney
As part of our mission to keep underarms irritation free, we asked specialists to contribute their unique expertise to the Dove Men+Care Deodorant “The Guide to Complete Underarm Care” publication. This article comes from Men’s Dermatologist, Dr. Terrence Keaney.
First and foremost — all antiperspirants are not created equal! That’s why I partnered with Dove Men+Care Deodorant to dive into underarm irritation research, answer questions, and help men everywhere live comfortable, confident lives.
How big of an issue is underarm irritation?
It’s certainly a bigger issue than you may realize, and lots of men deal with it. Some don’t look for help because it comes and goes — sometimes without proper treatment.
It’s a nuisance and negatively affects quality of life. The bottom line is that there are solutions — you don’t have to deal with underarm irritation.
What causes underarm irritation?
Multiple factors contribute to underarm irritation — there isn’t one tried and true reason. The underarm is simply the perfect environment for irritation.
The underarm has two skin surfaces that oppose each other, which automatically puts it at risk to experience increased friction. Hair grows there, as well, making it particularly susceptible to irritation.
Now, what triggers it? The honest answer is that every individual is different. Some men have skin that’s more sensitive to external products, so deodorant or antiperspirant can be one factor in causing irritation. Sweat is also a potential irritant. When you have an area that lacks a proper airflow and has a large amount of sweat glands, sweat may not evaporate and will begin to accumulate. To be sure of your trigger and to treat it, speak with your doctor.
What are the signs I have irritation, and what should I do about it?
As a dermatologist, I treat a lot of men. Rarely do they realize what they’re dealing with is underarm irritation. It’s often something I’m bringing up. But if men know the signs, they can do something about it.
Most men think underarm irritation is something that just happens — a problem they have to live with and something they don’t need to seek treatment for.
If you’re experiencing underarm irritation, you should always talk to a doctor first and foremost.
Why is it important to address the issue?
Simply put, this will help you avoid discomfort. And you don’t want to get to a point where you have to miss out on daily activities.
The next step is to consult your doctor and find the appropriate treatment to speed up the healing. In the meantime, rule of thumb — if an activity feels uncomfortable, don’t do it.
What are some methods that you recommend to your patients to solve their underarm irritation?
Well, it depends. From a medical perspective, if it’s more of a classic case, I’ll have my patient limit his exertion and physical activity. I’ll prescribe an ointment to protect the skin barrier, and I’ll often have my patients use a topical anti-inflammatory to calm the immune system and allow the skin to recover.
If the problem persists, I’ll dig deeper to find out what exactly is causing it. I’ll get his full medical history and ask him questions relating to his lifestyle. If he just ran a marathon, an unusual activity with a lot of friction and sweat, I need to know about it.
Are some men simply more susceptible to underarm irritation than others?
Absolutely. People with eczema have an inherent barrier deficit. The function of skin is to protect the inside world from the outside world — to protect the immune system from the environment such as dust, bacteria, etc.
For example, the skin of eczema patients is exposed to foreign substances due to the compromised skin barrier. Since the skin is not functioning well as a barrier, it is exposed to substances that you’d normally be protected from.
How important is it to use a deodorant/antiperspirant that’s made with a non-irritant formula in fighting against underarm irritation?
It’s very important. The underarm area is more prone to irritation than most other places on the human body. If you’re applying a product there, you want to be sure it won’t cause or exacerbate a problem. It’s important to know your skin, and what you’re putting on it. Because sweat is a common irritant, try an antiperspirant to block sweat and minimize irritation.
Dove Men+Care Antiperspirant has a clinically proven non-irritant formula, and 48 hour sweat protection — so your underarms are covered.
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