Embarrasing Body Acne

Contributor: wrecklesswords wrecklesswords
Thinking about posting this thread also made me think that we should have a general health forum too...

Anyway, a few weeks ago, my armpits started getting itchy. Like the skin was dry/irritated. I tried to keep them moisturized and I use hypo-allergenic deodorant to avoid problems.

Well, now I seem to have either some severely irritated razor bumps or acne blooming all over my under arms. It's really gross and really embarrassing. I'm afraid to lift my arms when wearing a short sleeve shirt and I won't even consider wearing a tank top or spaghetti strap until this is cleared up.

I've tried not shaving the area for days at a time to see if it clears up, tried scrubbing it, tried popping and draining them (and they are super gross looking). I've also tried cleaning them with various things like witch hazel, peroxide, astringent, antiseptic, hand sanitizer (yes, don't judge me... desperate times...). I've also tried to use acne vanishing creams on them.

Nothing at all seems to be helping. I'd really like to get something done about this because it's embarrassing and painful. I can only wear certain bras with this breakout because most of my bras will rub against the bumps and further irritate them.

Does anyone have any advice for treating this at home? Though, if it goes on any longer, I think I will make an appointment with a dermatologist.
01/15/2012
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Contributor: Ms. Spice Ms. Spice
Hm, I'm not a doctor so take this with a grain of salt. However, you may want to apply some grapeseed oil to your arm pits after you're done shaving (this can be found in organic markets). If it persists afterwards, the dermotolgist may hbe your best bet.

If anything, it could also be your diet or environment as well. Have you been eating foods that don't agree with your body? Has your consumption of fats, salts, sugars gone up or done? Has your environment changed dramatically? All something to consider, in my opinion.
01/15/2012
Contributor: WhoopieDoo WhoopieDoo
I have keratosis pilaris. It's very difficult to treat. Whilst looking for remedies, I found one that said to use head and shoulders shampoo as body wash.

While it didn't get rid of my keratosis, I have noticed that it makes my skin much softer and I haven't had any pimples since I've been using it.

So, it's worth a shot, given that it costs what- like three bucks - to try it?
01/15/2012
Contributor: Kayla Kayla
Are you *positive* it's not a yeast infection (basically. I forget the technical term)? I had something like that once, and some skin medicine for it cleared it up within a couple days.
01/15/2012
Contributor: wrecklesswords wrecklesswords
Quote:
Originally posted by Ms. Spice
Hm, I'm not a doctor so take this with a grain of salt. However, you may want to apply some grapeseed oil to your arm pits after you're done shaving (this can be found in organic markets). If it persists afterwards, the dermotolgist may hbe ... more
Actually, I have been very stressed the last few weeks, my consumption of fats, salts and sugars has gone way up, and I just moved this week. I had a thought that stress might be a big factor because this has happened before in the past, but not quite to this level.

Right now I'm not even going to shave or use my deodorant. I'm just going to bathe, use my facial wash/scrub on the area, and just use baby powder to reduce friction to see if that helps.

I've been googling this stuff like mad to see if it makes any difference.
01/15/2012
Contributor: wrecklesswords wrecklesswords
Quote:
Originally posted by Kayla
Are you *positive* it's not a yeast infection (basically. I forget the technical term)? I had something like that once, and some skin medicine for it cleared it up within a couple days.
Would a yeast infection of the armpits cause acne-like bumps? I never even though you could get that there, but I suppose it does make sense.

There's no smell or anything other than the usual body smell if I've been really active and sweaty.
01/15/2012
Contributor: EnChAnTiNg EnChAnTiNg
Make sure that you are not having a reaction to the deoderant you are using. A lot of times whenn you shave, and then put deoderant on immediately after, a severe allergic reaction can occur. If it does not clear up I certainly go see a dermatologist.
01/15/2012
Contributor: peanut1977 peanut1977
Quote:
Originally posted by wrecklesswords
Thinking about posting this thread also made me think that we should have a general health forum too...

Anyway, a few weeks ago, my armpits started getting itchy. Like the skin was dry/irritated. I tried to keep them moisturized and I use ... more
This has happened to me. I went to the Dr. and found out mine was a staph infection. Hold off on using deodorant and wash the armpit with antibacterial soap. You probably still should see a Dr. but these things are what i was told. Hope this helps and good luck
01/15/2012
Contributor: wrecklesswords wrecklesswords
Quote:
Originally posted by EnChAnTiNg
Make sure that you are not having a reaction to the deoderant you are using. A lot of times whenn you shave, and then put deoderant on immediately after, a severe allergic reaction can occur. If it does not clear up I certainly go see a ... more
This is true, I am in the bad habit of putting it on only 10 minutes after showering. It's the hypo-allergenic kind, but it could very possibly be clogging my pores.

If this isn't better within the next week, I'm going to see what dermatologists in the area take Care Credit.
01/15/2012
Contributor: T&A1987 T&A1987
when I first read this, i thought it said "embracing back acne" I thought it was either a fetish i haven't heard of or an odd new rights movement.
01/15/2012
Contributor: indiglo indiglo
Quote:
Originally posted by T&A1987
when I first read this, i thought it said "embracing back acne" I thought it was either a fetish i haven't heard of or an odd new rights movement.
Love it!




I hope you can get that sorted, WW. Sounds like it would be very annoying, not to mention uncomfortable!
01/15/2012
Contributor: markwashere markwashere
Quote:
Originally posted by Kayla
Are you *positive* it's not a yeast infection (basically. I forget the technical term)? I had something like that once, and some skin medicine for it cleared it up within a couple days.
Like candida or eczema? it could be stress related (indirectly)...
01/15/2012
Contributor: TheSlyFox TheSlyFox
Quote:
Originally posted by T&A1987
when I first read this, i thought it said "embracing back acne" I thought it was either a fetish i haven't heard of or an odd new rights movement.
o.o lol
01/16/2012
Contributor: wrecklesswords wrecklesswords
Quote:
Originally posted by T&A1987
when I first read this, i thought it said "embracing back acne" I thought it was either a fetish i haven't heard of or an odd new rights movement.
bahahaha!

You know... my gf DOES seem to like to ask me to pick at the occasional one she gets on her back!

Though, I really wouldn't doubt if this were a real fetish.
01/16/2012
Contributor: wrecklesswords wrecklesswords
Quote:
Originally posted by markwashere
Like candida or eczema? it could be stress related (indirectly)...
We have some eczema cream... I was thinking about using it, but I don't want to use too many different methods at once.

I'm sticking to washing with witch hazel at least twice a day (showering/using soap once) and putting on antiseptic spray after cleaning for now. When it comes to when I have to wear clothes, I'm using baby powder to stave off the friction rubs.

It's really embarrassing. I'm just glad that it's technically not tank top season (I mean, here it's like in the 70s all week, but still...) so I have an excuse to wear longer sleeves for now.

Oh, and I'm sleeping topless to let more air get around the area to keep it dry.
01/16/2012
Contributor: Kindred Kindred
I'm not a dermatologist, but I think you're treating the area with too many products that are likely causing further irritation.

I would use a simple cleanser twice daily to clean the area. You can use a facial wash that specifically states that it is mild and gentle. Then if you want, you could apply a topical steroid cream to help with the inflammation. Many of the items you listed are drying agents which are further traumatizing the skin.

The location is unusual for a generalized allergy and makes me suspicious that either it's secondary to shaving or possibly a local reaction to a deodorant or other product you apply to your underarms. It would be unusual to develop an allergy to a product you've previously used, but it's still possible. Definitely consult with a dermatologist if it either doesn't improve in a few days or gets worse.
01/16/2012
Contributor: wrecklesswords wrecklesswords
Quote:
Originally posted by Kindred
I'm not a dermatologist, but I think you're treating the area with too many products that are likely causing further irritation.

I would use a simple cleanser twice daily to clean the area. You can use a facial wash that specifically ... more
I originally thought it was from shaving, so I just didn't shave for a few days and it cleared up. Then it came back just before I decided to shave again.

I use hypo-allergenic deodorant to begin with, so unless I just have insanely sensitive skin, I don't know how that can be further irritating my skin unless it's from my bad habit of putting it on right after shaving.

I'm going to research dermatologists that accept Care Credit in my area today and see what I can do.
01/16/2012