[sparklegirl07]

Hi guys,

This is kind of gross but I have to ask. Does anyone else get painful bumps/boils in their underarm?

It happens for me when I sweat too much and can last about a couple weeks. Shaving helps initially but then I get a whole host of issues with ingrown hairs
I used to think it was friction caused by my weight but I'm no longer overweight and it still happens. Anyone have these go away at a lower weight?

Thanks in advance for your response!

[mandalinn82]

Is it possibly this?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hidradenitis_suppurativa

I had it, and it went away at a lower weight.

[chubbiegurl]

Have you tried avoiding deodorant, maybe use baking soda. Or tea tree oil it's antibacterial. I put some on the night before and can go a day or two without deodorant. Also chlorophyll will help body odor, so no need for deodorant that often.

[sparklegirl07]

I haven't tried alternatives to deodorant but, I'm a little scared to try...my south asian genes mean that I sweat A LOT.
A couple hours without deodorant (specifically, anti-perspirant), and people around me start noticing.
How well do alternatives work?

[chubbiegurl]

I am a bit of a freak of nature. I sweat pretty bad under one arm, the other hardly sweats. (embarrassing) Tea tree oil kills the bacteria that causes the smell, but is a little harsh for some. I am fine with it, I even like the smell, it unclogs my nose with a quickness. I don't use it daily but when I know I am going to be hugging family or friends all day the next day I use it. The chlorophyll really eliminated smells too, even my poop smelled less. Maybe u can try a natural deodorant like from Jason's brand. It's all worth a shot

[Psychic]

I used to have this issue. Try switching your deodorant. The cause for mine was that the deodorant I was using was blocking my pores.

[Batou]

I had this issue once or twice. I think it was the brand of deodorant. I switched brands because the brand I was using wasn't working that well anyways and haven't had one since.

[elvislover324]

I do much better with the gel deodorants than I do with solids. Something about the solids makes every seem so plugged up and dry, esp. after shaving.

The only gel I can find lately is Lady Speed Stick and only certain stores carry it.

I hope it's something simple like this that helps you.

[lunarsongbird]

I have what mandalinn82 mentioned- HS. Yucky irritating skin disease- mostly I have just have it on my bikini line. :: sigh ::
Doesn't have anything to do with sweating though.
Mine seems to be triggered my hormone changes.

I hope changing deodorant works!

[coffeeshopgirl]

I've done two things in the past:

1. Baby powder - it dried the area better than a moisture-rich deodorant and I could reapply without clumping.

2. Face wash my underarms in the shower - I use a few different face washes (for price or just to change it up), washes with astringent or exfoliators (sp?). What they did for me was get the icky oils out of my skin and helped cleanse my pores to minimize the bumps. I was also applying baby powder in substitute for deodorant.

Basically, I cleaned and dried out the underarm area and was able to keep applying baby powder if I sweated it off during the day. Just kept a small, vacation-sized container in my purse and reapplied in the bathroom. I have naturally dark hair and pale skin, so I'll always have the darker color in my underarms, but I no longer get the bumps.

I'm certainly not a doctor, but this worked for me. Good luck, and hope it helps

[mellyymel]

This used to happen to me all the time... It all went away when I changed my deodorant to a gel kind... I also suggest 4 other things.

1. Change your razor often and DON'T leave it in the shower (perfect environment for bacteria)
2. DON'T put deodorant on immediately after shaving
3. Make sure you're using enough shaving cream
4. Dry off your armpits immediately after exercising