How to Treat an Allergy to Deodorant and Antiperspirant

You're in the majority if you use an underarm deodorant or antiperspirant each day to mask odors or prevent perspiration. However, these toiletries are the most common source of cosmetic allergies.

Deodorants are classified as cosmetic agents by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They have antimicrobial activities to reduce the growth of bacteria, as well as fragrances to mask any odors that are produced by the 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. They are available as individual or combination products.

Reactions

Allergic reactions to deodorants and antiperspirants most often result in contact dermatitis of the underarm area. The rash that occurs is itchy, bumpy, and red and can blister, peel, flake, and ooze. Contact dermatitis to deodorants and antiperspirants is usually limited to the site of application, namely the underarm area.

Deodorants and antiperspirants are generally considered to be safe products. In the past, there was concern that parabens (used as a preservative) in these products were responsible for the increase in breast cancer rates in women. While this has been disproven in a number of studies, most manufacturers no longer use parabens in deodorants and antiperspirants. Aluminum, found in antiperspirants, has been blamed on the increase in Alzheimer’s disease. While somewhat controversial, a few studies do show a slight increase in the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease from the use of aluminum-containing cosmetic products, such as antiperspirants.

Causes

There are a number of chemicals responsible for contact dermatitis from deodorants and antiperspirants, the most common of which are fragrances. Fragrance allergy is very common, affecting up to 4 percent of all people. Since 90 percent of deodorants and antiperspirants contain fragrances, people with fragrance allergy may have a difficult time finding a product that doesn’t cause a rash.

Other common causes of contact dermatitis to deodorants and antiperspirants include propylene glycol (a vehicle agent used as a "carrier" for active ingredients), parabens, vitamin E (as an antioxidant and moisturizer), and lanolin.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of contact dermatitis to deodorants and antiperspirants is made by patch testing. The only FDA approved patch testing system in the United States is the T.R.U.E test, which can fail to detect an allergy to uncommon fragrances and propylene glycol. Therefore, it is important that an allergist patch tests a patient's own deodorant or antiperspirant that is suspected of causing the problem.

There are other causes of underarm rashes not caused by contact dermatitis to deodorants and antiperspirants. These include (but are not limited to) fungal and yeast infections (such as tinea corporis and candidiasis), inverse psoriasis, acanthosis nigricans, and certain forms of cancer. If treatments are ineffective, then a person with a persistent underarm rash should be evaluated by a dermatologist, with the consideration for a skin biopsy.

Treatment

The immediate treatment of deodorant and antiperspirant allergy involves the use of topical corticosteroids on the underarm skin. Topical corticosteroids are the treatment of choice for mild to moderate contact dermatitis involving limited areas of the body. Severe forms may require oral or injected corticosteroids.

The long-term treatment of deodorant and antiperspirant allergy involves the avoidance of the chemical responsible for the reaction. If patch testing identifies the specific chemical, then that chemical can be avoided. If the cause of the contact dermatitis is not known, then a hypoallergenic formula of a deodorant or antiperspirant can be tried. Alternatively, naturally available zeolite crystals are available commercially as natural alternatives to deodorants and antiperspirants. These include Crystal Body Deodorant, which is available at common drugstores nationwide.