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What Causes An Underarm Rash?

Whether itchy, inflammatory, bacterial, or fungal underarm rashes, these types of skin problems in your armpit can be mild or severe, short-lived or chronic. Treatments depend on the underlying cause; over-the-counter creams can work best for some rashes, while others require a prescription.

Whenever you have lingering symptoms—like an itchy, irritated armpit—see a healthcare provider, such as a dermatologist specializing in skin conditions. Keep reading to learn more about armpit rashes and what to do about them.

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This rash is caused by exposure to something that irritates the skin or causes an allergic reaction. There are two main types of contact dermatitis, and each can cause an itchy, burning, or painful rash: Allergic contact dermatitis occurs when the skin comes in contact with a substance that provokes an immune response. Your rash could be an allergic reaction to fragrances, preservatives in soap and skin products, or poison ivy (presuming you recently had a brush with this poisonous plant). Irritant contact dermatitis is the more common type of contact dermatitis. It's caused by repeated exposure to an irritant. Such exposures may include applied products such as deodorants, antiperspirants, soaps, or washes. Some ways to treat symptoms are to avoid the allergen or irritant and wash away any irritants on the skin. In some cases, creams and medications may be necessary to treat contact dermatitis. Also known as acne inversa, HS is a chronic inflammatory skin condition. It begins as a blockage of hair follicles in areas of the body where certain sweat glands (called apocrine sweat glands) reside. In its mildest form, HS produces small, painful, pus-filled bumps. They may look reddish, purplish, or darker brown, depending on a person's skin color. As HS progresses, larger nodules can develop. The bumps can rupture and leak foul-smelling fluid and pus. Tracks or tunnels connecting the wounds may form beneath the surface of the skin, leading to scarring and even keloids. Various surgical procedures may be helpful in general, but treatment often depends on the severity of the disease, which is as follows: Mild: Topically applied cleansers and antibiotics Moderate: Various oral medications and combination therapies Moderate-to-severe: Adalimumab (Humira), an injectable biologic A zit-like rash in your armpits could be folliculitis. Folliculitis is a common condition that occurs when hair follicles become infected. You might develop it because of shaving and waxing, wearing tight clothing, or taking certain medications. Treatment may depend on the type and severity of the rash. For a mild, pimply rash, it may be best to stop shaving for a couple of days and apply an over-the-counter topical steroid, like hydrocortisone cream. For a more severe rash, where the bumps are topped by pustules, or little whiteheads, you may need an antibiotic. AN is not a rash but instead a velvety thickening of the skin in the body's folds and creases, including the armpits. These patches appear darker in color than the surrounding skin. People who are overweight, have a family history of AN, or have darker skin are at greater risk of developing this skin condition. In addition, acanthosis nigricans has been linked to: Hormonal irregularities like thyroid disease Insulin resistance due to diabetes or pre-diabetes, for example The use of certain drugs, such as birth control pills or steroids Addressing an underlying medical cause may be part of AN treatment. To reduce the appearance of AN, healthcare providers may suggest oral or topical retinoids to help clear the skin, laser treatments to reduce the skin thickness, or topical medication to lighten the skin. Chafing, or skin rubbing against skin—especially in warm or moist areas of the body—can cause intertrigo. It's an itching, burning rash that can appear red or reddish-brown but only affects the outer layers of skin. These so-called intertriginous areas can ooze, crack, or bleed, and as the skin breaks down, it becomes vulnerable to infection. In addition, you may develop a yeast, bacterial, or fungal underarm rash with intertrigo. Keeping skin folds cool and dry can help with healing and prevent recurrences. Treatment options include antibiotic or antifungal creams, topical steroid cream, and drying agents (such as antiperspirant or absorbent powder). Also called intertriginous psoriasis, this is a type of rash that affects the body's skin folds. Unlike the white, scaly patches that psoriasis usually produces, inverse psoriasis can be smooth and shiny. The rash can be sore, itchy, and irritated from sweating. Topical steroids are usually the first choice of treatment. More severe cases, however, may require oral medication or biologic therapy. Ringworm is an itchy, scaly rash that forms a ring-like pattern on the skin. It belongs to a group of diseases called tinea, caused by fungi. It spreads via contact with an infected person or animal or by touching a surface where the fungi like to live. You can also get ringworm by sharing towels or other personal items with someone who has the infection. Ringworm is typically treated topically with an over-the-counter or prescription antifungal medication. Yeast thrives in warm, moist creases of the body, like your armpits, and candidiasis is simply a yeast infection of the skin. The same fungus that causes most vaginal yeast infections, Candida albicans, is often responsible for skin infections too. These infections result from an overgrowth of yeast normally found on your skin. You may have discolored rash on your skin folds or hair follicle infections. Treatments might include using drying powders, keeping your skin dry, or applying antifungal products like creams or ointments. You can get a pimply underarm rash from being overheated. This type of rash (also called miliaria) occurs when sweat glands and ducts become obstructed by bacteria, skin cells, oil, or other debris. Clusters of pimples or small blisters can make your skin feel itchy or irritated—causing prickly, tingling pain. A heat rash should still clear up on its own if you keep your skin cool and dry. In some cases, a healthcare provider may recommend a prescription lotion to reduce discomfort. Cutaneous lymphoma, or lymphoma of the skin, is an uncommon type of cancer. It begins in white blood cells called lymphocytes, which are part of the body's immune system. Skin lymphomas may appear as pimples, flat patches, thick plaques, or nodules. They may be itchy and range in color from red to purple. If cancer reaches the lymph nodes, you may feel a lump in your armpit area. Most skin lymphomas have no known cause. A weakened immune system can boost your risk of developing skin lymphoma, although it's unclear why. Various treatments may be recommended depending on the type, location, and stage of cancer. There are various causes of armpit rashes. You might have a fungal underarm rash due to ringworm or yeast infections or an itchy armpit rash because of intertrigo or heat rash. See a healthcare provider, such as a dermatologist, to help determine the reason for your underarm rash to receive the proper treatment. Depending on the cause, treatments will vary from creams and ointments to cleansers, powders, or surgical options.

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Are There Consequences Of Performing Oral Sex On A Woman With Bacterial And/or Yeast Infections?

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Question:Are there any health risks for a man if he performs oral sex on a woman with bacterial and/or yeast infections? And conversely, is it possible for a man to harbor any bacteria in his mouth that can upset the bacterial balance or introduce bacteria into the vagina?

The literature states that women's symptoms of bacterial vaginitis (the discharge) may worsen after unprotected sex (as it does for me). Why is this? It doesn't worsen with protected sex. It makes one believe the problem is coming from the man's ejaculate. Can a man be a carrier of something that can contribute to a bacterial infection? If so, why is treatment for men usually not recommended?

Answer:It certainly is possible to transmit diseases by oral genital contact. Gonorrhea, for example, is a bacterial infection that causes not only a genital tract infection, but can cause a severe sore throat (pharyngitis). Herpes is transmitted easily by this route, also. Some women report yeast infections after receiving oral sex, but the mechanism of this is not clear.

I'm not sure why symptoms of bacterial vaginitis (or vaginosis) worsen after unprotected sex. It's possible that the introduction of 5 to 7 grams of fairly high quality protein may provide extra "food" for the bacteria. In any case, it's food for thought.

And remember, the basic rule for safe sex: "If it's wet and isn't yours, don't touch it."

By Dr. Flash Gordon

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Common Causes Of Recurring Vaginal Yeast Infections

Yeast infections are incredibly common.

Yeast is a kind of fungus that occurs naturally throughout your body. Your vagina has a delicate and useful balance of yeast and bacteria. You can get a yeast infection when that balance is thrown out of whack.

If you find you are getting yeast infections frequently, more than four times a year, you may want to consider some of these possible reasons in addition to talking to your doctor.

Birth control pills, hormone replacement therapy, and pregnancy can increase the amount of estrogen in your body. And high levels of estrogen can cause recurring yeast infections. If you're on birth control or HRT, talk to your doctor about adjusting your dose.

Anything with an added fragrance like soap, bubble bath, clothes detergent, feminine deodorants, or scented tampons and pads can irritate delicate skin. Avoid fragrances in direct contact with your vulva.

Soap and douches can disrupt the pH balance of your vagina and kill off the beneficial bacteria you need. Wash yourself with warm water only and skip the douche. Your body was built to clean itself naturally.

Spending too much time in wet swimsuits or sweaty gym clothes can create warm, moist conditions that can cause yeast to grow too fast.

Frequent yeast infections can be an indicator of other health conditions like diabetes or HIV/AIDS. A full workup by your doctor can help you rule them out if you are concerned.

Yeast infections are not considered sexually transmitted infections because you can get one without having sex, but it is possible to get one from your partner. If they have symptoms, they should be checked.

A yeast infection can be uncomfortable and inconvenient. Talk to your doctor if they seem frequent, which will help you pinpoint the cause and come up with a treatment plan. ","publisher":"WebMD Video"} ]]>

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Yeast infections are incredibly common.

If you find you are getting yeast infections frequently, more than four times a year, you may want to consider some of these possible reasons in addition to talking to your doctor.

Spending too much time in wet swimsuits or sweaty gym clothes can create warm, moist conditions that can cause yeast to grow too fast.

Frequent yeast infections can be an indicator of other health conditions like diabetes or HIV/AIDS. A full workup by your doctor can help you rule them out if you are concerned.

A yeast infection can be uncomfortable and inconvenient. Talk to your doctor if they seem frequent, which will help you pinpoint the cause and come up with a treatment plan.

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