As part of their regular hygiene practice, the majority of adults have the habit of rubbing deodorant or antiperspirant under their arms.
Deodorant and antiperspirant products are designed to protect you from sweating and smelling bad even while your body temperature rises.
You may be allergic to something in the deodorant or antiperspirant if you experience redness, itching, or flaking skin where you applied it.
Due to the identical active chemicals included in most deodorants and antiperspirants, it’s likely that any of these products could trigger an allergy or reaction.
You can determine if you have a deodorant allergy and learn how to manage it with the help of this article.
What is an allergy to deodorant?
Deodorant is a substance that absorbs and covers up perspiration odour.
Antiperspirant is a substance that reduces perspiration.
Deodorant allergies can relate to either a sensitivity to or an allergy to either of these products.
A component in deodorant or antiperspirant products can cause a deodorant allergy, a form of contact dermatitis. This kind of allergy may result in:
- Redness
- Irritated skin
- Hives
- Itching
Even if you’ve been using the same deodorant for years, you can still develop a sensitivity or allergy to it. Cosmetic businesses may alter their formulas without informing customers, adding a new ingredient to which you may already be allergic.
Which deodorant chemicals can trigger allergic reactions?
Four categories of deodorant chemicals are known to aggravate allergies and skin conditions, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)Trusted Source. As follows:
- Aluminium
- Fragrances
- Preservatives
- Dyes
According to a 2011 study, the chemicals in deodorant scents were the culprit in 25% of those who tested positive for a cosmetic fragrance allergy.
Different forms of alcohol are thought to be included in Trusted Source fragrances and can possibly cause allergies.
Additionally, the preservatives in deodorant can irritate or cause an allergic reaction. Preservatives known as parabens were originally present in a lot of cosmetics and personal care items. The majority of deodorant manufacturers no longer use parabens in their formulations, although some do.
An allergic reaction may be brought on by metals in your cosmetic items.
What signs of a deodorant allergy are there?
A deodorant allergy may cause the following symptoms:
- Rashes and itchy areas beneath your arms
- Inflammation and enlargement
- Skin that has been exposed to deodorant will start to flake and scale.
- Hives or blisters beneath the arms
- cysts or tumours beneath your armpit
How is an allergy to deodorant identified?
It can be challenging to determine whether your allergic reaction is being brought on by your deodorant.
It can be challenging to determine which of the various fragrance chemicals in deodorant and antiperspirant products is causing your reaction because these products are only required to identify “fragrance” or “perfume” on their ingredient labels.
Are there any deodorants without allergies available?
Deodorant with allergies has so many choices, and new ones appear to be emerging daily.
To keep your underarms dry, natural deodorant employs components like cornstarch, baking soda, and aromatic oils.
Be cautious, though, as “natural” goods might cause allergies in certain people.
These “hypoallergenic” deodorants vary in their levels of efficacy. You might need to try a few brands because every person’s body is unique before you locate the natural deodorant formula that works for you.
It’s probable that even some of the natural deodorant products available on the market will cause itching and redness if you have sensitive skin.
How is an allergy to deodorant treated?
Your top concern may be symptom relief if your deodorant is causing an allergic response.
To relieve burning, itchy skin, use an over-the-counter topical antihistamine, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl).
Your doctor can suggest a topical lotion with prescription strength if your symptoms worsen or the rash is really uncomfortable.
Home cures for itching and inflammation include calamine lotion, oatmeal baths, and cold compresses.
You should identify the allergen moving forward and make an effort to avoid it. Changing deodorants can be all that is necessary. To determine which chemical is causing your reaction, you might need to see your doctor.
The conclusion
It’s not unusual to experience an adverse reaction to your deodorant. Furthermore, it typically isn’t a medical emergency.
You might be able to prevent the symptoms of this sort of allergy from recurring by using home treatments, switching products, and recognising your allergy trigger.
Seek emergency medical attention right away to rule out infection if your allergic response symptoms include broken, bleeding skin beneath your arms, yellow discharge at the site of your rash, or a fever.
