Antiperspirants are cosmetic products that are used by most adults in many countries. Deodorants and antiperspirants are available individually or as a combination product. These cosmetics are used everyday in the armpits in an attempt to mask odors and prevent perspiration.
Deodorants, which are classified as cosmetic agents by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA – The Food and Drug Administration of USA), are antimicrobial to reduce the growth of bacteria as well as fragrances to mask odors caused by bacteria . Antiperspirants are classified as drugs by the FDA, and usually contain aluminum, which acts to reduce the production of sweat by the sweat glands.
Deodorants and antiperspirants are generally regarded as safe. In the past, there was concern that parabens (used as preservative) in these products are responsible for increased breast cancer in women. While this has been refuted in a series of studies, most manufacturers do not use parabens in deodorants and antiperspirants. Aluminum, found in deodorants, has been blamed on the increase in Alzheimer’s disease. While somewhat controversial, some studies show a slight increase in the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease from the use of aluminum containing cosmetic products, such as antiperspirants.
Are known to exist of allergic reactions to deodorants and antiperspirants, which most often result in contact dermatitis in the armpit area. The rash that occurs is very itchy, full of balloons or inflammation, and reddened skin that may become blisters, scaly skin and ooze. Contact dermatitis from deodorants and antiperspirants is limited to the application area, ie the armpit area.
The causes of contact dermatitis from deodorants and antiperspirants are a number of chemicals responsible for contact dermatitis, the most common are the fragrances. Yeast Infection No More Fragrance allergy is common and affects up to 4% of all people. Since 90% of deodorants and antiperspirants contain fragrances, people with fragrance allergies can be difficult to find a product that does not cause a rash.
Other common causes of contact dermatitis from deodorants and antiperspirants are propylene glycol (vehicle agent used as a “carrier” of active ingredients), parabens, vitamin E (an antioxidant and moisturizing) and lanolin.
The diagnosis of contact dermatitis from deodorants and antiperspirants are made with the patch test can not detect an allergy to the rare fragrance and propylene glycol. Therefore, it is important that the patch test is used in the deodorant or antiperspirant patient’s own suspected that the cause of the problem.
There are other causes of the eruptions in the axilla that are not caused by contact dermatitis to deodorants and antiperspirants. These include (but are not limited to) infection by fungi and yeasts (such as tinea corporis and candidiasis), inverse psoriasis, acanthosis nigricans, and certain forms of cancer. If treatments are not effective, then a person with a persistent armpit rash should be evaluated by a dermatologist, with consideration of a skin biopsy.
Immediate treatment of antiperspirants and deodorants allergy is the use of topical corticosteroids in the skin of the armpits. Topical corticosteroids are the treatment of choice for mild to moderate dermatitis involves contact limited areas of the body. Severe forms may require oral corticosteroids or injected.
The long-term treatment of antiperspirants and deodorants allergy is to avoid the chemical responsible for the reaction. If patch testing identifies the specific chemical, then that chemical can be avoided. If the cause of contact dermatitis is not known, then a hypoallergenic formula of a deodorant or antiperspirant can be used. On the other hand, the natural zeolite crystals are available in the market as a natural alternative to deodorants and antiperspirants. These include the crystal body deodorant, which is available in pharmacies common in some countries.
