Itchy and Irritated Underarms? A Dermatologist Advises How To Return It To Calmness

Warm Days Become a Challenge

Your underarms are a place that's not hard to annoy. "Skin in the underarms is located in folds that are prone to increased moisture due to lack of airflow. Skin there is also thinner and more sensitive," says dermatologist MUDr. Jindřiška Johnová, explaining why irritation occurs in these areas. And the warm days are accompanied by other circumstances. "We perspire more often, which can lead to the proliferation of certain harmful bacteria or yeast that cause skin inflammation," adds the expert.

Why Does Irritation and Itching in the Underarms Occur?

High temperatures and perspiration are not the only culprits. We ourselves often contribute to the unpleasant symptoms. According to dermatologists, these are the most common offences:

• low or, on the contrary, excessive hygiene,
• improper shaving or epilation technique,
• irritating cosmetics or washing powder,
• waterproof clothing.

Shaving? Follow Instructions and Have Good Preparation

If you have any one single factor in your own hands, it's shaving. Go into your stubble removal with the utmost gentleness and good preparation. "The day before you shave, try doing a gentle exfoliation, for example, lactic  or  glycolic acid up to a maximum concentration of 5%. It serves as prevention against ingrowing hair and can help with unwanted pigmentation in the underarms," says the doctor.

And then we just have to follow the rules, which we all know, but following them is a problem. "A common mistake is so-called dry shaving," points out the dermatologist. Shaving foam or shaving gel are simply must-haves, even in SOS situations when you only have a few seconds in the morning. "Run the razor in the direction of hair growth. And don't forget to replace it ideally once every week or two," advises the dermatologist. Otherwise you are really asking for folliculitis, ugh.

Perspiration Stopper

Less perspiration means not only a lower risk of underarm rashes, but also more pleasant days and higher self-esteem. Win-win, but how to do it? The key is plenty of fluids, which will keep your body cool. Perspiring can also be a reaction to stress, so the experts also recommend breathing exercises to control it. And maybe it's time to kick the habit. "Smoking also contributes to excessive perspiration. Nicotine raises body temperature and releases acetylcholine, which stimulates perspiration production. In addition, it negatively affects its odour," points out Jindřiška Johnová.

Your BFF will be the right antiperspirant. But how do you recognise one that will work hard even in the tropical 30s? Check the ingredients and apply - surprise - at night! "Aluminium and zirconium salts are more effective than aluminium chloride or sulphur," says the dermatologist, adding: "Antiperspirant is best applied to dry skin after a shower before bed. If you're prone to irritation, rinse the area in the morning."

Fighters for Underarm Peace

Despite your best efforts, did your underarms get irritated? Here's what a soothing mission (and super prevention in one) can look like. "Wash your underarms once a day with a mild shower gel optimally with a pH of 5.5, or reach for an antimicrobial variant," advises the expert. Sometimes we forget that this area also deserves hydration. Products with hyaluronic acid, or possibly ceramides, will also help with skin barrier repair.

Need more? "For a red rash in the underarms, you can use products designed to treat nappy dermatitis, for example, with zinc or panthenol," explains Jindřiška Johnová.  

Itchy underarm rash or other irritation? No problem from now on. And if anything - you already have the best "weapons" up your sleeve.