A heat rash usually doesn’t itch—it’s more likely that it feels prickly and uncomfortable.
Chafing happens as a result of the friction of your skin rubbing together. It’s also more likely if your skin isn’t properly moisturized.
You can develop an allergy at any point in your life, even if you’ve never had a problem with a particular product. That’s something to keep in mind if you haven’t switched brands recently. If you’ve recently started taking a new medication or supplement, the rash might be a side effect. Talk to your doctor about it—they can adjust your dosage or suggest an alternative. If you really want to find out for sure what you might be allergic to, talk to your doctor about doing allergy tests. These tests won’t do anything for your rash, but at least you’ll know for sure what you’re allergic to so you can avoid it in the future.
If you’ve had eczema before on another part of your body, or if someone in your family has had problems with eczema, it’s more likely that this is the culprit.
Candida, the bacteria that causes this infection, really loves warm, moist environments, so if you’re out in the heat working up a sweat, you might have a yeast infection. The itch and burning sensation set this apart from a heat rash. This is more likely if you’re wearing tight clothing made of synthetic fabrics that leave the sweat trapped in your armpits—that’s creating the warm, moist environment candida craves.
If you wax or use a depilatory cream, you might also get a rash this way, although it’s less likely. These processes are more likely to cause inflammation or an allergic reaction.
Of course, figuring out what you’re allergic to is sometimes easier said than done. If you haven’t recently started using a new product, this might involve a lot of trial and error. If your allergic reaction is a side effect of a new medication, don’t stop taking it without talking to your doctor first.
If your rash was caused by contact with an irritant, make sure you’ve removed all traces of the irritant from your skin. That’ll help the rash clear up more quickly.
This treatment is most effective if you have a heat rash, as it rapidly cools your skin. But it also provides relief if the rash feels hot or inflamed. If the cool compress provides you with relief, continue to do it as often as once every 4 hours or so.
It might also help to stand in front of a fan—cool air blowing directly on your skin will help you cool down more quickly.
If your rash was caused by chafing, aloe vera gel or petroleum jelly can also help protect the area while it heals. [13] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
This also works as a preventive measure! A little powder in your pits, even if you don’t have a rash, can reduce friction and moisture and keep you from getting one. [15] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Powder can leave streaks on your clothing and might not come out of some fabrics. If you’re not sure, test it on an inconspicuous area before you wear the shirt.
“Colloidal” oatmeal just refers to finely milled oats that are suspended in a liquid, such as water—it’s not a brand or specific type to look for.
Don’t take more than 2000 mg of vitamin C in one day—that much vitamin C could harm your body (at a minimum, you’ll likely have some bad diarrhea).
Continue to treat the rash with an anti-itch gel or cream so you’re not tempted to scratch it. Wash with mild soap and warm water at least twice a day to keep the area clean.
Different brands may recommend slightly different methods of application. Read and follow the instructions on the package of the cream for the best results.
Oil or petroleum-based moisturizers are also effective, but you might not like how they feel on your skin. Oil that isn’t completely absorbed can also potentially stain your clothing. Continue to use the same moisturizer if it works well for your skin. Keeping your skin well moisturized will prevent the rash from coming back, especially if it was originally caused by dry skin or chafing.
Try dryer balls if you’re looking for a way to control static and keep your clothes from being too stiff out of the dryer (an old tennis ball works just fine for this).
For example, if you run outside, you might run early in the morning or later in the evening when it’s not as hot.
With any kind of rash, good hygiene is super important. Make sure you’re keeping your armpits clean and dry, especially after exercise or when you come in from outside.
This can be tough if you don’t know exactly what ingredient triggered the reaction. You might want to get several smaller, travel-size deodorants so you can try several and see which one works best for you.
Avoid energy drinks, coffee, and other hot drinks that will raise your internal temperature. Energy drinks, soft drinks, and coffee are also diuretics that could lead to dehydration.
Other relaxation techniques work too—basically, anything that helps you control the stress in your life is going to decrease your chances of getting another rash in the future. For example, you might decide to take up yoga or start doing tai chi, both of which are excellent for controlling and managing stress.
