ITCHY ARMPITS - Advice please!

[Yankeedoodlenic]

I have suffered with itchy armpits for years now. I have tried all various different types of deodorants assuming I have some sort of allergic reaction to them. I try shaving and I try not shaving. I think I have essentially just accepted this is how my life is but it is fairly uncomfortable and slightly embarrassing when I feel the urge to itch them in public places.

Is this something I should go to my GP about? I really don't know what they'll be able to do... Any advice please?

Maybe your gp could do a swab to see if you have a fungal infection?

Thanks. I might just trying seeing the GP - what is the worst that can happen. I really don't think it is an infection because it has been pretty much constant for years. I was reading about possible causes and pretty much all of them say poor hygiene which I really don't think is my problem considering I shower nearly every day & do wash my arm pits! I'm thinking I maybe just need to be careful about the soaps/deodorants & washing powders I use... but thanks.

Could it possibly be dry skin? I have a similar problem although its intermittent. I was prescribed a topical steroid cream which seems to help, I also moisturise with an emollient before using an origins anti perspirant. I've also stopped using the standard supermarket shower gels and deodorants as I found my skin reacted to it.

Another thing to bear in mind is that because you've been itching for so long it may take a while or the itch-scratch cycle to stop. As hard as it is stop yourself from itching as it damages the skin further iykwim.

I second see GP and using emollient creams and soap free soaps for excema like E45. You may have developed a bit of excema and your GP may be able to put these on prescription bringing the cost down a bit too