Rubbing your arms like you’re doing the chicken dance but nothing gives? Heads up: it could be a sign of an allergy, or something else. Here, some of the reasons your armpits itch.
The Usual Suspects
Fragrances from soap, laundry detergent, or dryer sheets are especially irritating on the delicate underarm skin, which often has invisible microtears from shaving. Switch to fragrance-free products and apply a 1 percent hydrocortisone cream to soothe the discomfort and rawness. If that doesn’t do the trick, you’ll need to look into other potential causes.
READ MORE: 3 Women Share What Finally Worked To Clear Up Their Eczema
Hidden Culprits
Oh joy, your pits might have a yeast infection! And it can be just as itchy in your underarms as in your nether region. For relief, apply the same kind of OTC antifungal cream you’d buy for a vaginal yeast infection, and if it doesn’t clear up in five days, see a dermatologist— you may need a prescription oral medication.
READ MORE: Your Itchy Vagina Might Be Caused By One Of These Hidden Culprits
Pissed-off armpits sometimes have a counterintuitive cause, though: sweat. Your pits can quickly get drenched when you walk into a warm room bundled up in loads of layers. And all that wetness actually zaps moisture from skin, resulting in dry prickles. The fix: Choose antiperspirant—which actively suppresses sweating—over deodorant, and go for a clinical strength formula.
