What causes underarm rash and how can I care for it?

What is an armpit rash?

An underarm rash is any change in the skin under your arms that results in redness, itchiness, bumps, flakiness or swelling. It can look different depending on the cause of irritation, ranging from small red dots to dry or even broken skin. But don’t worry – most underarm irritation is temporary and easy to care for once you identify the cause. 

What causes armpit rash?

From shaving to sweating, our underarms go through a lot, which can lead to irritation or changes in skin texture. Common triggers include:

• Shaving, which can cause skin barrier damage, razor burn, ingrown hairs or micro-cuts.
• Tight or synthetic clothing, which can trap moisture and cause chafing.
• Trapped sweat in sweat glands in your skin, which can develop heat rash.
• Stress or hormonal changes, which can trigger sensitivity or sweating.
• Skin conditions like eczema, bacterial infections or allergic reactions.

How can you help care for underarm irritation?

• Give your skin a break: Pause shaving and switch to loose, breathable clothing to minimize friction and chafing while your underarms heal.
• Keep underarms dry and clean: Gently cleanse with lukewarm water and a mild, moisturizing formula (like our Dove body washes), then gently pat dry.
• Apply an over-the-counter treatment if needed. For inflammatory rashes, a thin layer of hydrocortisone cream can help. If you suspect it’s a yeast infection, try an anti-fungal cream or powder instead. If your armpit rash persists, speak with a medical professional.

How can you help prevent underarm rashes?

Shave carefully
Many of us love the look and feel of smooth underarms, but getting there isn’t always smooth sailing. That’s why it’s important to have a gentle routine if you do shave. Start with a shower to open your pores and soften your skin and underarm hair. This will give you a much closer shave that glides smoothly, reducing the chance of underarm rash after shaving. Another great tip for reducing underarm irritation: Replace your razor regularly. 

Exfoliate
Dry skin is one of many causes for underarm rashes, so exfoliating regularly is key. It will help prevent your pores from getting clogged, reduce the chance of ingrown hairs (which can lead to bumpy underarm skin), and help uneven skin texture and tone. To get the best results while exfoliating, you can use a washcloth, loofah or a nourishing Dove body scrub – whatever works best for you.

Wear looser fabrics
We hate to break it to you, but your favorite black dress might also be causing underarm irritation or chafing. The fibers of tight, synthetic fabrics rub against your skin throughout the day, which can upset underarms, especially if you have sensitive skin. So, embrace a loose, flowy look, and try sticking to natural fabrics to keep underarms happy and healthy.

Switch to a caring antiperspirant
Armpit rash from deodorant and antiperspirant is also common, so it’s important to choose a formula that cares for your skin, especially after shaving. Enter our Advanced Care antiperspirant collection. Formulated with Pro-Ceramide technology to help boost ceramide levels in your skin (which are depleted every time you shave), our range helps a damaged skin barrier repair, leaving underarms visibly healthy and feeling beautifully soft, nourished and resilient. Our formula also provides 72-hour sweat and odor protection in a range of refreshing, uplifting and energizing scent. Now that’s what we call unbeatable underarm skin care.