We get it. Angry pits aren't fun. And trying to understand them is frustrating. Here's what to know.
Our armpits are one of the most sensitive areas of our bodies. That's because the skin of our armpits is actually thinner than most parts of our body and is less accustomed to external stressors. So if you aren't careful, you might get those sensitive pits upset with you. Although most people are quick to blame baking soda, there are several different reasons that you might be experiencing irritation.
Your armpits may be adjusting to your new deodorant.
Introducing a new deodorant (especially if you are switching from a conventional deodorant/antiperspirant) can cause drastic changes to the outer environment of your skin. As we explained in Why Do We Stink? The Science behind Body Odor, your armpits are home to millions of tiny living organisms. When you switch to a new deodorant, those microorganisms, along with your own body, have to make some adjustments.
This is not necessarily a "detox" as you may have heard before, but rather a change from one stable environment to another. For many people, this is a minor issue and their bodies (and microorganisms) are able to make the change quickly and smoothly. However, for others, their bodies (and microorganisms) put up a fight to resist the changes. And if you are one of those people, the first week or so can be uncomfortable. You may notice increased tenderness, redness, itching, or general irritation in your armpits during this period. The good news? It won't last too long! If your irritation is result of your body adjusting, it should be gone in no more than 3 weeks. If you are switching from conventional deodorant to a natural one, make sure to read our First Time User's Guide so that you are well prepared before you get started.
Yes, it could be baking soda.
Baking soda (or sodium bicarbonate) can either be a hero or a villain depending on your body. Most natural deodorants contain baking soda, simply because it's the most effective natural ingredient out there (or as we would say, the most effective ingredient, period). But there are also a number of people that do not get along well with baking soda. The alkalinity of baking soda (pH of around 8.5) is the reason that it can effectively eliminate the bacteria on the surface of your skin, but also the reason that it can irritate our normally acidic armpits (pH around 5.5). Why this drastic difference in pH only affects only some individuals is not fully understood, but we do know that it has to do with our specific body chemistries and microorganisms. Those individuals who cannot tolerate high amounts of baking soda, should look for a sensitive deodorant that uses little to no baking soda.
But it might not be baking soda.
As we mentioned previously though, you shouldn't blame baking soda right away. Too many people ditch natural deodorants before their armpits have a chance to properly transition to their new environment. Others switch too quickly to a baking soda-free deodorant when a natural deodorant with baking soda is actually the best option for their body chemistry. So, give it some time and give your armpits a chance to figure out what works best for them.
It could be a type of skin rash.
Ask yourself a few questions. Do you usually have dry, itchy skin? Have you been wearing tight-fitting clothes recently? Have you been sweating more than normal?
There are many different types of dermatitis (or skin inflammation) that cause a similar list of symptoms. Dermatitis is common in the folds of the skin because of the increased friction and moisture in those areas. Unfortunately, that includes the armpits. One of the more common types of dermatitis is intertrigo, which is inflammation of the skin folds, specifically. But it could also be a different type of dermatitis like contact dermatitis (of which there are three types) or atopic dermatitis (eczema). Or maybe it's just chafing. When areas that experience a lot of friction get sweaty, the result can be extra sensitive and tender skin, especially after the sweat dries.
So what can you do to minimize these unwanted reactions? Well, the first thing is to be more conscious of what is going on with your armpits. If you haven't switched deodorants recently, that's probably not the cause. Think about what else you may have changed recently and consider dermatitis as a possible option. If any of these types of irritation persist, seek guidance from your doctor so that you can both develop a plan going forward.
You might be allergic to something you are putting on your armpits.
This is actually a type of contact dermatitis that occurs when your skin is exposed to something that it is allergic to. Once again, red, itchy, and tender armpits can be the result. Always make sure to read all of the ingredients in a deodorant before trying it out. If you are unsure whether or not you are allergic to a certain ingredient, you can try a patch test by applying a small amount to your skin. Make sure to leave the ingredient/product on your skin for a day or two without washing it off to make sure that there aren't any delayed reactions.
It could be the result of poor technique when applying your deodorant.
Yes, there is a right way to put it on! If you are used to conventional deodorant easily gliding over your skin when you put it on, you'll have to make an adjustment to your technique. Natural deodorant does not contain the synthetic ingredients that create the stiff, but slick texture you may be used to. Instead, natural deodorant takes a few seconds to soften as it warms up to your body temperature. Once it has softened, you can apply a few soft, gentle strokes. Because some natural deodorant can even be slightly grainy due to the baking soda, this is very important to do correctly. Alternatively, you can also try to dab your armpits with the deodorant, rather than sliding the stick across your skin to reduce the potential for irritation.
It could be from your razor.
If you shave your armpits, they may already be unhappy with you. Shaving creates tiny lesions (tissue damage) on your skin, which can lead to red, swollen, or tender pits. And if you are applying deodorant immediately after shaving, you could be making it even worse. If that's not enough, armpit hair helps to reduce friction and it's possible that shaven pits can lead to more chafing.
You may be fighting off some pathogens.
Even if you aren't sick, your lymphatic system can become inflamed when it is processing high levels of pathogens. The nodes of your lympathic system (where the processing happens) are highly concentrated in your neck, groin, and armpits. So when they get swollen, your armpits may feel more tender and sore than usual. Most of the swelling and pain will go away within a few days, although it can take a week or two before they are back to their normal size.
So, is there anything you can do about it?
Luckily, there are a few things you can do to help during this stressful time! And we've got it all laid out in our article The Fix to Angry Pits: What to Do About Armpit Irritation.
Is this your first time using all natural deodorant? If so, we've got a few tips for you! Read through our First Time User's Guide to get started on the right foot.
Curious to see what kind of ingredients we use in our deodorant? Check them out here!
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