Armpit Rash - Causes, Pictures, Itchy, Red, Home Remedies, Treatment,

What causes underarm rash or armpit rash? Having a rash under your arm can be painful and itchy causing discomfort. Armpit rash in children or adults including male can hurt especially when you try to move your arm. In this post, we will discuss the causes, symptoms and how you can treat rash under your armpit

Rash is a symptom rather than an ailment or health condition. Rash on the affected skin underarm tend to cause area of skin to turn red, swell and change in texture. Armpit rash may cause bumpy spots, scaly or sometimes filled with pus depending on the cause. A painful, warm rash could be an infection (bacterial or viral).

Adults both women and male are vulnerable to rashes under their arm. The causes of underarm rashes vary widely. Therefore treatment for rashes under the arm can also vary. Depending on the cause, the rash underarm can mild or sever on one or on both armpits. Toddlers or children can also suffer from underarm rashes. Living in humid or hot condition can be the reason for rash in your especially if you have a sensitive skin.

Armpit rash pictures

How do rashes in the armpit look like? To help you get the concept even much better, we have included some few underarm rash pictures or images below plus more others throughout the post. This is to help you identify with your symptoms relating with photos inserted herein. Our aim is to help you find the cure for the rash in your armpit in time.

Symptoms of rash underarm

The symptoms of armpit rash tend to vary widely depending on the underlying cause. Here are some the common symptoms of rashes in the armpit:

Swelling in the armpit
Redness, warmth
Itchiness
Tenderness or pain
Odor, pus discharge or darkening of the skin around the armpit

Other symptoms that are associated with underarm rash include:

Cough
Fever and chills
Headache
Runny nose
Sore throat
Sweating

These symptoms are related to other body system. Some cases of armpit rash symptoms are associated with a life threatening condition and you should therefore seek immediate medical attention. The symptoms include:

Fever and chills
Purple rash
Sudden face swelling, lips or tongue
Breathing or respiratory problems
Joint pain and stiffness.

Possible Causes of Armpit Rash:

Why do I have a rash in my armpit? Rashes can be associated with skin condition such as eczema, psoriasis and impetigo. Other ailment linked to skin rash include autoimmune disorder occurring when the body is attacked by its own immune system. Common causes can include allergic reaction to food, medication, lotions or deodorants. Find the possible causes of armpit rash below.

1. Shaving underarm

Shaving the armpit hair especially when you use a razor, can result to irritation, break out, razor burns or ingrown hair. If you have a delicate and sensitive skin, the irritation from shaving can cause infection leading to armpit rash. People who have a tendency of epilating or plucking armpit hair are likely to have underarm rash. Instead, try use better shaving techniques to minimize the risk of getting rash under your arm.

Waxing, laser hair removal and after shave creams can minimize skin damage reducing the risk of suffering from skin rash in your armpit.

2. Atopic dermatitis

Also known as eczema, atopic dermatitis is a condition that normally begin in childhood. It is common in the folds of the body such as the back of the knees, inside of the elbows, in the armpits and under the breasts. Typically, eczema appear as red itchy rash and can crust over.

The rash underarm due to eczema is usually and can bleed if you continuously scratch it. You should resist the urge to scratch a rash underarm otherwise you risk getting an infection. Some people with underarm rash from eczema tend to experience flare- ups during certain time of the year.

3. Contact dermatitis

Another possible cause for underarm rash could be contact dermatitis. This is the irritation of the skin when you come into contact with irritant or allergen. In this case, beauty products such as lotions, deodorants or soap could be the cause of the irritation causing the rash in the armpit. It could be the fabric your top is made of. Find out what causes the irritation in your armpit.

4. Underarm fungus, Candida

A fungal infection such as yeast (candida) can be the cause of armpit rash. Yeast infection normally occur in moist areas of the skin including the armpit, inner thighs near the groin. Candida can cause swelling, itching red rashes and scaling in the affected areas. Armpit rash due to yeast infection can grow worst in hot weather, tight clothing or generally poor underarm hygiene.

Underarm fungus causing rashes can leave your armpit itchy with either red or purple circular rashes. Other symptoms include pus filled pimples, soreness, redness and flakes. Treatment of fungal infection in your armpit is by use of antifungal over-the counter-drugs such as ketoconazole, clotrimazole, amphotericin B or nystatin. Antifungal cream is often considered the best solution for an underarm fungus rash.

5. Underarm rash HIV

The rash in your armpit could be an indication of HIV. At initial stages, the virus tend to show itself as rashes affecting various parts of the body including the armpits, chest, scalp or face or back. According to the UC San Diego Healthcare Clinic (UCSD), almost all the people who have HIV infection tend to experience skin symptoms and changes. A rash happens to be one of the signs of HIV.

The rash typically appear as a red, flattened area on your skin covered with small red bumps. The rash can tends to be itchy showing up on any part of the body including the armpits. Some HIV rashes are mild while others can be severe and even life threatening depending on the level of skin damage.

Medication can help manage the HIV rash itchiness and size. Mild cases of underarm rash can be treated through over – the – counter drugs such as hydrocortisone or Benadryl. The more serious armpit rash due the HIV virus require treatment from the doctor.

6. Armpit ringworm

Underarm rash can be due to armpit ringworm or armpit fungus. The ringworm is caused by the family of dermatophyte fungi such as Trichophyton, microsporum and epidermophyton. The fungi tend to thrive on keratin of the hair and stratum corneum of the skin in the armpit. The fungus in the armpit causing the rash tend to thrive naturally in moist places such as the armpit.

Armpit fungal rashes arises from fungi stated above such as the dermatophyte or yeast/ candida. Candida is different from ringworm from the causative agent. Yeast is the cause of candida underarm rash while ringworm in your armpit is caused by tinea agents or dermatophytes.

If you have a tendency of excessive sweating you are prone to suffer from armpit fungus which is the likely cause of armpit rash. The following are the signs and symptoms of armpit ringworm:

Itching, burning sensation
Redness
Dry scaly skin lesions or rash. The center of the rash is typically devoid of scaling and you will notice broken hair shafts with a clear skin which tends to be surrounded by the itchy, inflamed and scaly skin.
Bad odor can emanate from the underarm fungal rash

If the ringworm in armpit is not treated immediately, it can spread to other parts of the skin. Treatment for ringworm of the underarms is simple, topical antifungal medicines are used to get rid of the infection. Other treatments for armpit fungus include creams, lotions or ointments.

7. Underarm rash from deodorant or antiperspirants

If you have a tendency of excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) then you are likely to use deodorants and antiperspirants more. People who use deodorants quite often are likely to develop rash armpit rash. Sweating excessively and use of deodorants can cause fungal infections resulting to fungal rash in the armpit.

If you are allergic to the ingredients in the deodorants, then you are likely to have a rash in your armpit. The reaction tend to cause itchiness, bumpy, redness and can form blisters. Try to avoid deodorants and antiperspirant that are likely to cause rash in armpit.

Rash under my armpit Itchy

We have discussed possible causes of rash underarm. What causes the rash on armpit to be itchy? Some of the possible causes of itchiness include allergic reaction, armpit fungus, eczema shingles, HIV rashes, armpit ringworm etc. Treatment to relieve the itchy will depend on the cause. However, home remedies can help soothe the burning or tingling feeling of armpit rash. We will discuss home remedies later on in the post. Over- the-counter drugs can help reduce itchy feeling.

Red rash under armpits

A red rash under armpit is one of the symptom of the underlying cause of the rash. Beside itchiness, an underarm rash can be red and painful causing you discomfort. The skin around the armpit can too turn red, dark red or brownish sometimes bumpy, peeling off or blistering. Underarm red rash can be sore, smelly, painless or yellowish discharge oozing from the rash.

Some of the causes likely to cause red rash under armpits include shaving, candida, fungus, HIV, allergic reaction to deodorants, contact dermatitis, shingles, and armpit ringworm among others.

Painful rash under armpit

Why is the rash in my armpit painful or hurts? A painful armpit rash is an indication of infection and in most cases the cause is fungal. Candida or yeast can be the cause of the pain especially if you have a tendency of sweating so much. Other causes include allergy to deodorants, hidradenitis suppurativa, staph infection, armpit ringworm, shingles, and eczema, among others.

There are various home remedies to help you relieve the painful underarm rash. You can as well use over – the- counter drugs, or antifungal creams, lotions and ointments to help soothe the pain. Most importantly, visit your healthcare provider to evaluate the cause of the rash for correct treatment.

Underarm rash child

A rash in armpit in a child can be worrying especially if pain is associated with it. A baby cannot withstand pain as much as adults can. You need to find out the cause of the rash in your toddlers armpit. Some of the possible causes for underarm rash in a child include heat rash, eczema, rubella, seborrheic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, armpit ringworms, underarm fungus and among others. You should visit a pediatrician once you notice a rash in the armpit of your child.

Rash under both armpits

Rash under both armpits can be due to any of the causes discussed above. It could be either armpit fungus affecting both your underarm. If the cause is candida, it can get worse in hot weather. Wearing underarm tight clothing can also cause both your armpits to develop rashes. People who do not practice good armpit hygiene are likely to develop both armpits with rashes. In all cases, find the underlying cause of rashes developing in both armpits.

Underarm rash treatment

Treatment for rash under the arm will depend on the underlying cause. Topical antifungal medicines are generally the first option available for rash in the armpit. To treat rash caused by viral or bacterial infection, you will need antiviral or antibacterial drugs.

Over- the –counter medicines will help you relieve the symptoms such as pain, itchiness or burning feeling. Allergic reaction can be treated with antihistamines.

Armpit rash cream

Creams can be used to treat rash including armpit ringworm and fungus. The cream can be applied on the armpit rash during the early stages of infection. Creams that contain clotrimazole, econazole, ketoconazole or imidazole are active against candida/yeast causing itchy armpit rash. If the armpit rash irritates, you could also apply over – the- counter 1 % Hydrocortisone cream.

Other than creams, lotions which are generally the diluted form of creams mentioned above can be used to cure the rash. Ointments containing azole are other form of treatment to cure the rash in your armpit. The ointments are the best way to deliver the drug directly to the skin. Powders are popular remedies for treating armpit ringworm and fungus causing the rash.

How to get rid of armpit rash – Home remedies

Below here are some of the home remedies that can help treat or get rid of armpit rash.

Aloe Vera – Apply aloe Vera gel from fresh cut aloe Vera plant on the affected area. The gel from aloe Vera plant is known to heal skin against breakouts. It can also reduce inflammation and infection on the skin around your armpit.
Baking soda – add considerable amount of baking soda in your bath water.
Apply ice packs on the affected skin underarm. This will help to reduce the itchy rash by providing a cooling and a soothing effect on the armpit.
Diluted tea tree oil can also help reduce underarm rash itchiness and burning sensation on the skin around the armpit.

How to get rid of an armpit rash video

Sources and references:

Armpit Rash – Causes, Pictures, Itchy, Red, Home Remedies & Treatment