armpit rash..?

theawc42

I hope I'm not the only one dealing with this. I didn't find anything in the search. Has anyone developed a rash /chafing under their armpits that is REALLY itchy? It really all started as soon as I got pregnant my lymph nodes were swollen and itchy and then I noticed,  more so on my left side the tissue under my armpit just has gotten larger and larger. The last few weeks I've developed this itchy constant rash. I showed my DR. on Monday and he suggested Lotrimin, but its not helping!! Personally I think it's beginning to look like a ringworm type fungus.  Anyone have experience with this, or  treating it?

JackJacktheCat

Ok so I'm not a doctor & obviously your care provider knows best, but I did experience this & it really freaked me out, so I'll share my experience & hope it helps you. I had a rash under my armpit, sort of on the side of my boob. The doctor said it was either eczema or ringworm. I went to a dermatologist after treating it for both (with hydrocortisone & antifungal) for 5 weeks, and she said it was likely ringworm. I had both of my cats and both of my dogs tested by the vet for ringworm (incredibly expensive!) and non of them had it, so I have no clue how I got it. I had to use an antifungal for almost 5 months 2x a day before it went away. VERY annoying, since you basically have to shower twice a day, lay there until you are completely dry, then put on the medication & let it soak in for a while before dressing...but it's gone now, thank goodness. Just do what the doctor says & wear breathable clothing if possible. My dermatologist told me that a warm sweaty environment is not good for any type of rash. Just keep it clean, as dry as possible, use the medication they tell you to, and be patient. Being pregnant apparently means your body takes a lot longer to fight off whatever is going on. All the directions on the medication packages say to use them for a few weeks, & I had to for several months. Don't scratch, if it is ringworm it can spread all over. Hope you get some relief soon!

theawc42

oh great sounds very similar. thank you so much. I might as well schedule an apt with a dermatologist now

meansallison

I had this my second trimester. All of a sudden out of nowhere I developed an allergy to my deodorant that I had been using for years. I stop using deodorant for about a week (it was terrible but worth it) and the swelling and itching went away. I've since then had a sensitivity to deodorant so I had to try quiet a few different kinds before I found one that works for me. Best of luck!

dec15mum

I get this a lot- it's so annoying so I know your pain.
For me it's just that my skin there is more sensitive so with razors it's a bit difficult to try not irritated it but sensitive deodorant and non perfumed moisturisers help.
I'd check in with your doctor just to be safe

Bombmom3

@JackJacktheCat
I'm sorry the ringworm tests for your pets were so $$. Honestly most of the time they can just do a blacklight test (ringworm glows green under a blacklight). 90% of the time if they have it it will pop positive with that and it's a $10 maximum charge at most clinics to do that. If a skin scraping has to happen then it can get a bit pricey.

OP, I had a bad reaction to deodorant as well that sounds similar to what you and some of the others here have experienced. I did as one pp mentioned - stopped using deodorant for a week (I smelled like a yak but I wasn't miserable with a terrible rash!). Rash cleared up within ten days and I switched to a different brand of deodorant and haven't had an issue since.

theawc42

thanks for all the advice ladies.....until my next dr apt I have used lotrimin for ringworm and calamine lotion and its helped with the itching and the redness has gone down. The regular lotrimin wasn't helpful.

lalg28

I second the deoderant. I have the exact same reaction if I try a new deoderant. I was just so sweaty I thought I'd try a stronger one and have the exact same issues. I have to use toms or jasons.

mbecca11

I had the same kind of problem for what felt like forever and it drove me insane. It was mostly my left armpit as well. It was extremely itchy, red, a little swollen and blotchy, and I was honestly so miserable. I tried different laundry detergent, different deodorant, different soaps and body washes, etc. and nothing made it better. I had asked a family friend who happens to be a nurse to look at it and she said it looked like it could have been some kind of fungal or yeast infection. I never had it really seriously looked at but it ended up eventually clearing up on it's own. I think it lasted like my whole second trimester though. Good luck to you girl, I hope relief comes soon!