Why Are My Armpits Itchy? 6 Causes Of Itchy Armpits

When your body sweats, it mixes with the dirt collected on your skin throughout the day to cause itchy underarms. To prevent this you should wash your armpits regularly to prevent this build up that causes heat rash on your skin, and once you come out of the shower make sure to dry your armpits thoroughly by patting the area dry rather than rubbing. Also when exercising, you should wear loose clothing to give your armpits the chance to breathe and prevent rubbing against your skin.

Another reason you want to make sure your armpits are moisturised, but thoroughly dry, after showering is to prevent getting things like yeast infections in the area. When your skin is wet it's much easier for bacteria to collect and spread, and once this happens your skin is susceptible to infections that cause things like itchy armpits.

Laundry detergents contain different kinds of soaps designed to remove hard stains and dirt from clothing, so they often contain strong chemicals that react with your skin causing itchy underarms. Try switching to natural, fragrance-free detergents that don't contain dyes as these are well known culprits for irritation.

For some people it's a little more complicated, and skin is prone to irritation from not only harsh chemicals but a number of different things, including deodorants. To avoid itchy armpits when you have sensitive skin you should use perfume-free deodorant and preferably one without aluminium as this clogs your pores to prevent sweat, and instead, you should let your skin breathe to reduce irritation.

Shaving - there are a number of faux pas that can be committed when shaving, and all of them will undoubtedly lead to itchy armpits and razor rash, so here are some easy changes you can make to your shaving routine to combat itchy armpits:

• Don't use a razor for more than 7 uses, as the blades become dull causing you to go over the same area more times.
• Never dry shave - your skin likes to be moisturised so running a sharp object over it's armpits when it's not is a bad idea. Make sure you shave while in the shower or bath as the warm water softens the hair follicles and makes it easier to shave while also keeping your skin hydrated and happy.
• Use cream specially designed for shaving - it's carefully created to nourish your armpits and get the job done in the most caring way.
• Don't shave your armpits too often - your skin needs time to recover, especially if you have itchy underarms so continuing to shave will only continue to irritate your skin.

Some soaps contain strong and harsh chemicals that cause your skin to become dry and angry, especially in sensitive areas like your armpits. Avoid body washes and soaps containing strong perfumes and colours which can provoke skin irritation leading to itchy armpits, and replace them with natural ingredients that nourish and soothe your skin. Take a look at the NIVEA Shower Gel range for your perfect solution.