While eczema can appear anywhere on the body, a prime spot for irritation is in the folds of the body - such as the armpit. Uncomfortable and itchy, it can make it difficult to get through the day or sleep through the night without scratching and further irritating your condition.
In this post, we’ll discuss the symptoms and causes of eczema under the armpits, and take a look at some natural treatments to help you find relief from this itchy skin disorder.
Please keep in mind that although these treatments can relieve eczema, we are in no way medical professionals. If you’re experiencing severe eczema symptoms like an infection, it is best to seek medical advice immediately.
What Does Eczema Under Armpits Look Like?
Armpit eczema can appear bumpy and red or scaly and white. Instead of looking smooth and healthy, your skin will likely be dry and cracked - and feel incredibly itchy. In the event of intense scratching, the affected area may even develop a thicker, leathery texture.
Scratching can also cause the skin to bleed or cause the tiny, blister-like bumps to leak and then crust over. It’s likely that your eczema symptoms will go through periods of varying severity. At certain times, your eczema may experience intense flare-ups and at others, your skin may appear normal.
Causes of Armpit Eczema
Determining the cause of your eczema makes it easier to find relief. While the exact cause of eczema is unknown, there are common culprits that may be triggering your flare-ups. These include irritants such as chemicals found in soaps and laundry detergents, allergens such as pollen, pets, and dust mites, as well as other factors such as the food you eat, extreme weather conditions like cold winter temperatures, and even stress.
A quick place to start is to consider what touches your armpit area. Do you use a deodorent or skincare under there? What laundry detergents, fabric softeners and dryer sheets do you use? Are any of these new since your reaction started? If yes, that is very likely the culprit. If nothing is new, try replacing some of these with natural products with minimal ingredients to see if things improve.
In the case of armpit eczema, a prime factor affecting flare-ups is likely sweat. This is because the salty residue found in perspiration contributes to dehydration and aggravates stinging and itchiness. That explains why many people experience exacerbated eczema symptoms during the summer months when the heat makes them more likely to sweat.
Finally, irritation is more likely to occur when the skin rubs against itself or against clothing for too long. Unfortunately, the armpits are an area of the body where the skin folds and rubs against itself all the time, making them a prime spot for chafing.
Natural Treatment for Eczema Under Armpits
Wear the Right Clothing
Certain fabrics, such as nylon, polyester, nickel, latex, and even some types of wool are known to make eczema worse. The best clothing for sensitive skin is soft, breathable, and made with a hypoallergenic material. Our favorite eczema-friendly fabrics include 100% organic cotton and TENCEL, also known as lyocell.
In fact, we love TENCEL so much, we decided to make a line of eczema friendly garments called Remedywear™. Made with eco-friendly TENCEL and embedded with anti-inflammatory zinc, this mineral based clothing line was made to protect and soothe the skin.
This long-sleeve Remedywear™ shirt is great for kids and adults. Not only does it fit like a second skin, the embedded zinc was specially designed to reduce inflammation and speed up the healing process.
Avoid Hot Water
While it can be tempting to draw yourself a hot bath to relax your muscles after a long day, hot water can actually exacerbate eczema. When bathing or showering, use lukewarm water as opposed to hot and pat dry your body with a towel instead of rubbing. In addition, be sure to use natural soaps as harsh chemicals can further dry out your skin.
Try our super gentle Nourish + Hydrate Cleansing soap made for sensitive skin made with only three, all natural ingredients. It's great when you're trying to cut back on possible irritants. This bar is super soothing and moisturizing too.
Moisturize
After washing armpits, moisturize with a natural cream made for sensitive skin. We recommend our Nourish + Hydrate Manuka Balm. It’s great for all types of eczema, including sweat-induced eczema as the Manuka honey is anti-iflammatory and antibacterial, so it relieves irritation in the skinfolds - such as the armpits.
Manage Scratching
Wearing gloves is a great way to protect your skin and eliminate the possibility of scratching. The best eczema gloves are made with thin, breathable, and natural material. Your gloves will also last longer and maintain a nice fitted shape if they contain elastane or latex. Wear these organic bamboo gloves for kids and adults to protect your skin during the day or at night when you have less control over your actions.
Exercise Smartly
Exercising is important because it helps reduce stress and maintain your overall well-being. That being said, it also causes the body to sweat. Thankfully, there are some ways to manage your sweat-induced eczema while working out so that you can maintain an active lifestyle without irritating your skin.
In addition to wearing eczema-friendly clothing, be sure to stay hydrated, take regular breaks, and shower and moisturize immediately after your workout. This will prevent the sodium in your sweat from sticking to your skin and causing further irritation.
Fragrances and synthetic ingredients found in antiperspirant and deodorant can also further exacerbate eczema symptoms. Choosing a natural deodorant (stay away from antiperspirants all together due to aluminum) that's sensitive on skin and made with as many natural ingredients as possible such as coconut oil, cornstarch, arrowroot powder and more.
References:
https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-get-rid-of-an-armpit-rash