Armpit discoloured.

[NervousBohemian]

I've had an itchy armpit on and off for a few months. I'd put on some hydrocortisone cream and it would clear up for a little while. I'm not a massive armpit shaver... probably once every couple of months!! But, on Friday I decided to defuzz and noticed on Saturday my left armpit was red/brown coloured. Not particularly irritated but I tiny bit itchy.

I have used deodorant all weekend and have just been applying the hydrocortisone. First started itching a few months ago when I was using Sure deodorant as my usual Mitchum was out of stock. I've since returned to Mitchum so presumably it would've cleared up.

I do have terrible health anxiety and after a quick Google search I've found it can be linked to diabetes and PCOS. I had a blood test 4 weeks ago for diabetes and it was negative and I've no symptoms of PCOS. Attached a pic and was wondering if anyone had similar.... its actually more brown looking than in the picture. Thanks in advance

Looks like a friction burn or that it's rubbed and been sore.

Are you using the roll on Mitchum ? I find it quite strong and my top actually ended up stuck to my pit !

Does it look 'velvety' if so it is very possible it's Acanthosis nigricans do you have any of the same colouration on inner thighs/groin or around your neck.

It isn't always due to PCOS or Diabetes. I've taken the below list from the internet:

Dark areas of skin may occur when pigment cells in the skin multiply faster than usual.
This can occur as a result of repeated hair removal.
Regularly shaving the underarms can lead to excessive production of pigment cells.
The following factors can also increase the likelihood of AN:
• Insulin resistance: The majority of people with this condition are insulin resistant. Being insulin resistant means that the body has become less sensitive to the effects of insulin. Insulin resistance can eventually lead to type 2 diabetes.
• Obesity: People who are obese are more likely to notice dark skin in their underarms and other areas of their body. According to researchTrusted Source
, more than half of adults who weigh over 200 percent of their ideal body weight have AN.
• Hormonal disorders: People with an underactive thyroid, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), or other hormonal disorders are more likely to have AN than others.
• Genetics: AN appears to run in families, which means that it is likely to have a genetic cause.
• Race: AN is most commonTrusted Source
in Native Americans, followed by African-Americans, Hispanics, and Caucasians.
• Medication use: Some medications, including high-dose niacin, birth control pills, and corticosteroids, may cause AN.
• Cancer: In rare cases, AN can occur because a cancerous tumor is growing in the stomach, liver, or another internal organ. This form of AN is called malignant acanthosis nigricans.

@DustyLee123 I use the spray. I've tried the roll on a long time ago and know exactly what you mean!

@PinkButtercups it's not sore. As I said it has itched in the past. I'm wondering if it is due to friction though....

Thanks for the info @CyberCritical. I had my HBA1C checked a few weeks ago as part of a full blood screen. I don't have symptoms of PCOS. Infact the only thing I don't think was checked was my thyroid function and being as though I only half of my thyroid it probably should've been!
I'm desperately trying not to fall down a cancer rabbit hole as my mind does tend to run away with myself and as I said all bloods were completely normal. Think I'll stick with friction and probably due to me being classes as obese as being the cause.

Thank you all so much for the replies 😊

Hi OP, hydrocortisone cream can actually cause some skin discolouration with continued use so it could be that.

@Liamgallaghersparka omg!! I've just googled this and you're completely right! I had no idea. Thank you for letting me know. I suppose as skin is more sensitive and thinner under there its more likely to happen.

Thanks again. I'll stop using it.

You're more than welcome X

So, stopped using the h/c cream and have been putting on a little bit of canesten instead which seems to have worked a little. I ordered Get Fussy deodorant at the beginning of the week as its a natural deodorant. Applied it this afternoon and have had to wash it off that armpit!! It was so itchy.... 😳

Grateful for any suggestions

It looks like a shaving rash/friction burn. I switched to an epilator and that got rid of the problem. Lovely smooth pits with no black dots or red skin. I did used to have to smother my shaving rash in sudocreme overnight and that worked.

Agree with sucocream for some rashes/irritations too!

I should avoid shaving and applying deodorant for a few weeks to let it settle if I were you.

It looks like thrush.

Avoid shaving. Gp can give you a tablet.

Thanks all. I switched to simple soap and have been applying canestan. Not shaved since last time and I haven't used any deodorant either. It's feeling much better than it was.

I was about to say that I’d bet my life on this being fungal, and see you have been using Canesten so I’m probably right. I had a fungal thing in my armpits and groin, it’s a thing- Google Jock Itch. Easily dealt with either by OTC anti fungal as you are using, or you can get prescription ones.

Hope you feel better soon.