What Does It Mean When Your Armpits Are Itchy?

Can't help but scratch your armpits? If you're struggling to stop yourself from performing the unsightly maneuver in public, it might be time to figure out what's going on. That's especially true if the skin on your underarms is swollen, sore, peeling, flaking, or oozing (via Health Grades). But before you jump to the conclusion that it's something serious, you ought to consider that the cause may be far less worrisome.

Buoy Health points out that you're bound to experience a bout of itchy armpits at some point because the area is warm and damp. As such, it's very likely that shaving or wearing deodorant may be causing your itchy underarms. Shaving can cause ingrown hairs, while deodorant and shaving creams may contain ingredients that irritate your skin. In other cases, however, itchy underarms may be a sign of folliculitis, yeast infection, fungal infection (such as ringworm), an allergic reaction, eczema, contact dermatitis, psoriasis, or body lice. In rare cases, it may be a symptom of Hailey-Hailey disease, scabies, pinworm, Fox fordyce disease, lymphoma, or inflammatory breast cancer (via Buoy Health, Health Grades, Healthline).

To figure out what may be causing your armpits to feel so irritated, it's important to examine your hygiene routine and other symptoms you may be having. For instance, Healthline explains that itchy underarms may be caused by folliculitis, or inflamed hair follicles. This can occur if you shave or wax frequently or use a soap or shaving cream that tends to clog pores. Your armpits may be infected by bacteria, yeast, or a fungus if they feel inflamed and pus or drainage flows from breaks in the skin. If you are diagnosed with an infection, you may need to be tested for psoriasis. The National Psoriasis Foundation states that psoriasis is characterized by such infections in the armpits, groin, under the breasts, and in other skin folds.

On the other hand, you may have eczema or contact dermatitis if the skin looks like a rash and is filled with red, itchy, dry, and cracked patches of skin (via Medical News Today and Mayo Clinic). Another sign of these conditions are similar-looking patches on other areas of your body. You might have body lice if you notice red bumps on your skin, a rash, and have very intense itching (via Healthline).

Ultimately, the most important thing you can do is call your doctor, especially if your symptoms get worse or you suspect you have an illness. They will be able to properly diagnose the cause of your itchy armpits and prescribe the right medication.