The sweat gland for the underarm is located in the armpit. This is why sweating and body odor mostly affects these areas. An armpit itch is an irritating sensation that makes one continuously want to scratch. Scratching might temporarily relieve the itch but scratching can also cause infection or contamination. Depending on the symptoms, like dryness, bumps, redness, discoloration, or swelling it can be associated with armpits itch.
It’s embarrassing when you’re in public and suddenly your armpits itch. Because of the sensitivity of armpits, it’s difficult to not scratch the itch. An armpit rash can last for hours or worse, days. Knowing the causes would help prevent future discomfort as most rashes can be easily treated. Armpit itch symptoms can be a result of the environment. But in some other cases, it might be due to more severe causes that would require different treatments.
Causes Why Armpits Itch:
1. Heat Rash
This is one of the most common causes of why armpits itch. The location of the armpits makes them susceptible to heat. Excess heat causes rashes. Thus, causing your armpits to itch.
2. Shaving
Shaving can also cause rashes on your armpits. Using dull blades or blades that you’ve used more than three times can lead to itchy armpits. Dry shaving can also cause itching in your armpits because the skin needs to remain moisturized at all times. Running a blade along your dry skin would cause irritations and lead to itching.
3. Infection
It is easier for bacteria to collect and spread when your armpit is wet. Once bacteria spread along with your armpits, it becomes susceptible to infections that cause itchy armpits. Candida and yeast infection occur frequently in moist areas of the skin. In hot weather, because of heat or poor hygiene, Candida infection can become worse.
4. Allergies
Some substances that contain strong chemicals can react with your skin causing itchy armpits. Substances like laundry detergents, soaps, deodorants, or even some type of clothing material can cause your skin to itch.
5. Scabies
This is a rash that is caused by a microscopic itch rash. It enters the top layer of the skin where it feeds and this causes the skin to itch and have severe irritations. This mite is spread by direct contact with another infected person or by contact with infected furniture and beddings. The symptoms include severe itching especially in the night, rashes, and sores because of too much scratching.
6. Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a kind of skin infection that causes an overgrowth of skin cells, creating an itchy and painful rash. It is considered a disorder where the body attacks its own cells.
Can armpits itch and not have rashes?
Rashes are usually accompanied with rashes. But it is possible to have itchy armpits without rash or any noticeable skin changes. Cases like these are usually harmless because they are often caused by temporary issues but on some occasions, severe health issues can cause itching with a rash.
Here are some things associated with itchy skin without rashes
- Dry skin: When the skin starts to lose moisture, it can begin to itch. Dry skin gives off a flaky or scaly look and feel.
- Bug bites: Bug bites can leave a small mold with a hole in the middle. They can make the skin around the bite feel itchy and irritated. Bugs like mosquitoes, bed bugs, lice, or spiders can cause itches like this.
- Medication side effects: Some medications can have side effects that include itching. This itching can occur without a rash.
- Skin cancer: skin cancers usually don’t have significant symptoms but some people can notice itching on skin lesions as an early symptom.
- Lymphoma: This is cancer that affects the lymphatic system. It can cause swellings of the lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are found in the armpits, groin, and neck. A type of lymphoma is Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. A percentage of people that have this cancer are affected by itching. This itching is not accompanied by a skin rash.
- Cancer: Breast cancer develops on breast cells. A rare type of breast cancer is inflammatory breast cancer which is accompanied by your armpits itching.
How Do I Stop My Armpits To Itch?
Having itchy armpits can really give discomfort. Here are ways to stop your armpits from itching:
- Avoid using soaps with harsh chemicals, they can cause dry skin.
- Apply moisturizer on your skin regularly especially after a bath.
- Practice good personal hygiene. Keep your underarms clean especially after doing a physical activity that involves sweating.
- Wear loose clothing so that your armpits can breathe and sweat won’t pool on your armpits.
- Use talcum powder during hot weather to stop heat rashes from occurring.
- Don’t shave your armpits often, especially if you have sensitive armpits. Give your armpits time to recover from the previous shave.
- Use natural, fragrance-free detergents that don’t contain chemicals that could cause skin irritations.
Conclusion:
Armpits are very sensitive parts of the body. It is important to determine the cause so as to rule out a serious condition and proffer an appropriate solution. Poor hygiene, allergic reactions, or dermatitis are the most causes of armpit rashes. Once you determine the cause of the problem, you must follow the treatment plan properly to reduce the risk of a more severe complication.
A more serious issue could be cancer. Symptoms that accompany cancer include swelling, redness, warmth, and other noticeable skin changes. It is advisable to consult your doctor if you notice any itch that seems more than just a normal itch.
