Because our pits deserve to be happy, healthy, and free!
So, you've got a bad case of angry pits? Well, the first thing to do is try to figure out what may have caused it. If you've already read Angry Pits: Common Causes of Armpit Irritation and have taken the steps suggested, then feel free to skip to PART TWO: WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT DEODORANT IRRITATION? Otherwise, we'll review those common causes and offer a few suggestions for what you can do in each case. Let's start by asking a few easy questions.
PART ONE: FIND THE CAUSE
1. Have you been shaving your armpits?
If not, move on to #2. If you have, consider not shaving for a few days/weeks, until your symptoms pass. Shaving causes irritation by creating microscopic lesions on your skin, which is exacerbated if you apply deodorant shortly after.
2. Have you or people around you been sick recently?
If not, move on to #3. If you or someone around you has, check your lymph nodes to seen if they are extra tender and/or inflamed. This is typical if your immune system is fighting off pathogens that are threatening to make you sick. Although this type of irritation usually does not create a rash, it can make your armpits sore, tender, and irritated, nonetheless. Keeping your body hydrated by drinking extra water can help to alleviate some of the tenderness. You can also try dry scrubbing. This is when you lightly massage your skin with a brush. It is thought to help stimulate the lymphatic system, helping your body to process those pathogens more quickly.
3. Have you been wearing tight fitting clothes?
If your armpits don't have any room to breathe or if your shirt sleeves are constantly brushing against your armpits, you may be experiencing irritation from your clothes. This can especially be the case with fabrics that don't agree with your skin. If you can, stick with an organic cotton or other fabric that is gentle on your skin.
4. Have you been using a new deodorant or other new product on your armpits?
IF NO, answer these questions:
- Could it be a type of skin rash?
Common skin rashes include intertrigo, contact dermatitis, eczema, and chafing. This is typically the result of increased friction and/or moisture or increased dryness. Many times, the symptoms are not severe and do not last more than a day or two. However, more severe or extended symptoms can occur.
- Has it persisted for more than a few days? Or has it been very severe?
If yes, it's time to talk with your doctor. With their guidance, you can decide on the best option for controlling the rash.
IF YES, answer these questions:
- How long have you been using the new deodorant?
Irritation may be the result of your body adjusting to the change. If you did switch recently, read our First Time User's Guide to get a better idea of why this might be happening.
- Are you allergic to any of the ingredients?
Are you sure? Sometimes you don't know you are allergic until you test it out. Even with natural deodorants, you can be allergic to ingredients like coconut oil or essential oils. To make sure this isn't the case, perform a simple patch test on your skin. Apply the deodorant or one of the ingredients in question to a small area of your skin and cover it with a bandage to prevent it from being removed. Leave the product/ingredient on your skin for at least 24 hours without washing it off or getting it wet to see if you have any delayed reactions.
- Does your deodorant contain any of these irritants?
Aluminum. Another reason to avoid antiperspirants.
Alcohol. As you probably know, alcohol can be drying for some individuals (although it works great for others), which may lead to red, itcy, dry armpits.
Fragrance. Yes, even "safe" man-made fragrances can be a skin irritant.
Essential oils. Even if you aren't allergic to the essential oils in your deodorant, large amounts of essential oils can still cause skin irritation. If your deodorant contains essential oils, it should be last on the ingredient list.
Propylene glycol, parabens, or other chemicals. Although less common, there are individuals that report experiencing irritation with common ingredients in conventional deodorants and antiperspirants.
- Does your deodorant contain baking soda?
A common culprit, baking soda could be the cause of your irritation. However, as we explained in Angry Pits: Common Causes of Armpit Irritation, that's not always the case. If irritation still persists, even after the adjustment period, the best way to know for sure if baking soda is the cause is to try a deodorant that has little to no baking soda.
- Are you using the proper technique to apply your deodorant?
If you are unsure, the answer is probably no. Natural deodorant sticks need to warm up to your body temperature before you apply the deodorant to your armpit. This just takes a few seconds, but helps to prevent the stick from scratching your skin. You can also try to apply the stick by dabbing it onto your pit after it's warm, rather than swiping it up and down.
- Are you using too much?
If the deodorant is formulated properly, it shouldn't take much. Don't over-apply, as this will increase your chances of irritation. Remember, a little bit goes a long way.
PART TWO: WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT DEODORANT IRRITATION?
1. Stop using your deodorant.
First, you have to decide if the irritation is due to the transition period or not. If it's already been over a month and your body has not adjusted to the deodorant, there's no reason to keep going. Stop using your deodorant.
However, if it's only been a week or so, give it a chance. Don't keep putting the deodorant onto your angry pits, but don't ditch it completely, either. Here's what we suggest if your body is still adjusting to the deodorant.
What should you do if you experience irritation during the first couple weeks of transitioning?
1. Wait a day or two until you can apply the deodorant without causing serious irritation.
2. The next time you apply the deodorant, use only a little bit! Let your body slowly acclimate to the new change.
3. Use the deodorant every other day. Once again, this is a gradual process, so give your armpits some time to adjust.
4. In the meantime, use a natural moisturizer or simply shea butter or coconut oil to reduce the dryness and itchiness that you may be experiencing.
5. Using essential oils, like tea tree or lavender, diluted in a carrier oil can help restore the health of your skin and ease discomfort. But be sure that the oils are not concentrated and test a small area before applying it to your entire armpit!2. Keep your pits hydrated.
Use some type of natural moisturizer to keep your armpits hydrated and ease some of your discomfort. As mentioned above, you can also use this during the adjustment period to limit potential irritation.
3. Let your armpits heal.
Although it will be tempting (and sometimes necessary) to throw a different deodorant on in the meantime, we recommend trying to avoid doing so in order to give your armpits a chance to heal more quickly. That also means no shaving and no tight clothes! If you would like, feel free to use essential oils, like tea tree or lavender, that are great for healing and restoring your skin. But make sure to dilute these oils in a carrier oil to prevent further irritation!
4. Try some home remedies to eliminate odor if need be.
Some natural home remedies like apple cider vinegar or lemons can help to restore the normally acidic pH of your skin and reduce odors at the same time (see more Home Remedies for Body Odor). However, just like the essential oils, be sure to dilute them and use just a bit to start until you know whether or not it will make your symptoms worse. Since both apple cider vinegar and lemons are acidic, they can also exacerbate the irritation and the last thing you want to do is make it worse! If possible, just leave it alone and let it heal.
5. Give it some time.
Unfortunately, although there are some things that can help reduce the irritation, there is no way to get rid of it immediately. Patience is key.
6. Find the option that is best for you.
For some people that means a deodorant with baking soda, for other that means a deodorant with baking soda alternatives like diatomaceous earth, and still others that means an alcohol-based deodorant. The name of the game is trial and error. Because your body chemistry is different than anyone else's, you need a deodorant specific to your body. There is no one-size-fits-all deodorant. So, keep trying and, eventually, you'll find one that sticks!
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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