What's Causing My Armpit Rash?

Learn about common causes and what to do

A woman looking at her arm pit because of a skin irritation.

Westend61 / Getty Images

Armpit rashes can be caused by allergic reactions, infections, and chronic conditions. Armpits are a common place to get rashes because the skin there is thin, folds up on itself, and can be hairy. These factors create the right conditions for moisture buildup and irritation, which can lead to rashes.

This article will go over common causes of an armpit rash, and what to do if you have one.

Allergic Contact Dermatitis

This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.

Allergic contact dermaitis in armpit
Allergic contact dermaitis in armpit. DermNet / CC BY-NC-ND

A common cause of an armpit rash is an allergic reaction. Allergic contact dermatitis is when an allergy-triggering substance (allergen) comes into contact with the skin.

Allergic contact dermatitis does not happen right away (delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction). It usually happens over time as you become hypersensitized to substances that your immune system sees as being invaders.

It can take weeks of being sensitized for a reaction, like a rash, to show up. However, when you come in contact with the trigger again, the rash will show up sooner.

The rash will often form on the area of skin that the allergen touched and make it look red, raised, and irregularly shaped. It can also cause blisters or crusting.

Your armpit can get sensitized to ingredients in deodorants, antiperspirants, or shaving creams.

If you have an armpit rash from allergic contact dermatitis, figuring out what you're sensitive to and avoiding it is the first step to healing the rash and keeping it from coming back. When you're shopping for personal care products, look for ”fragrance-free" formulas to avoid common allergens.

Your provider can also prescribe treatments or recommend a product you can buy over-the-counter (OTC) to help with your symptoms.

Irritant Contact Dermatitis

Armpit rashes can also be caused by another kind of dermatitis. Irritant contact dermatitis is similar to allergic contact dermatitis, but the reaction is not an allergy. Instead, it’s the direct effect of an irritant or toxin on the skin.

Irritant contact dermatitis in your armpit can also be caused by deodorants, antiperspirants, soaps, or body washes. The rash is red, rough, or scaly. In severe cases, it can cause blisters.

As with other kinds of dermatitis, if you have an armpit rash that's caused by an irritant, the first thing to do is to figure out what's causing your skin to react. Once you know what irritant is causing the rash, you can avoid it.

If your symptoms are severe or not getting better, it's important to let your provider know. In some cases, skin reactions may not clear up unless you take prescription medication (like a steroid) to help with the inflammation.

Can Eczema Cause Armpit Rashes?

Contact dermatitis is a form of a chronic inflammatory skin condition called eczema. You can get eczema rashes under your arms. The rashes can also leak fluid (weeping eczema) or look like scaly patches on your skin. In addition to atopic and contact dermatitis, there are also other kinds of eczema:

If your provider diagnoses your underarm rash as eczema, they can recommend OTC products or prescription treatments for your symptoms. Learning what your eczema triggers are and avoiding them is also helpful.

Folliculitis

Any part of your skin that has hair follicles can get irritated and infected, leading to a pimply rash called folliculitis. If you nick yourself shaving or have ingrown hairs in your armpit, you could get folliculitis.

If you just have a mild rash, taking a break from shaving and using any products under your arms (like deodorant) can help give it a chance to heal. If it doesn’t get better, you might need to try an OTC treatment or see your provider for a prescription (like antibiotics). 

Intertrigo

This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.

Intertrigo in the armpit
Intertrigo in the armpit. Raimo Suhonen / DermNet / CC BY-NC-ND

Since your armpit skin folds on itself, it can trap moisture. Intertrigo is a rash that shows up in moist areas of skin folds. It's common in the armpits, under the breasts, and in the folds of the groin and abdomen.

The rash is often caused by yeast, fungi, or bacteria that love being in a damp environment. These germs trigger your immune system to react, which leads to skin inflammation and rash.

The symptoms of intertrigo include:

  • Roughly symmetrical red or reddish-brown rash with small bumps
  • Itching
  • Stinging or burning pain
  • Cracks and bleeding (if left untreated)
  • Foul smell and pus-containing bumps (if infected)

Treatment for intertrigo starts by reducing inflammation and other symptoms, which can often be done with OTC products. You may also need antibiotics or antifungals to fight the organisms that caused the rash.

You can prevent intertrigo by keeping your skin clean and dry, and avoiding wearing tight-fitting clothing that doesn't give your skin a chance to “breathe."

Yeast Infections

Since yeast likes to live in warm, wet places, the space under your arm is a common place to get a yeast infection (candidiasis).

You can also get a yeast infection after you’ve had intertrigo—and the same treatments (antifungals) will usually clear it up.

Erythrasma

This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.

Erythrasma in armpit
Erythrasma in armpit. DermNet / CC BY-NC-ND 

An armpit rash can also be caused by a specific germ. Erythrasma is a rash that can form after you’ve had an infection with the Corynebacterium minutissimum bacteria. 

Erythrasma is common in the armpits, under the breasts, in groin folds, and between the toes. The rash is reddish and/or tan and looks coral-red under a black light. The rash can cause slight skin wrinkling.

Erythrasma can be mildly itchy but usually does not have any other symptoms.

If you get erythrasma in your armpit, you'll probably need to be treated with antibiotics like erythromycin.

Ringworm

This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.

Tinea corporis in armpit
Tinea corporis in armpit. DermNet / CC BY-NC-ND

Some common skin infections may show up as an armpit rash. Tinea corporis is commonly called “ringworm," but it's actually a skin infection that's caused by a fungus, not a worm. 

There are different types of fungi that can cause ringworm and the name of the infection changes depending on where it is.

For example, when it's in the underarm or behind the knee, it's called tinea corporis. If it's on the foot, it's called tinea pedis (or "athlete's foot"). When it shows up in the groin, it's called tinea cruris (or "jock itch").

The rash from ringworm usually looks red and has raised borders which can have a thin layer of scales on them. The key feature of a ringworm rash is that it grows outward in a circle. Ringworm can also be itchy and makes the hair on the affected area of the skin fall out.

Ringworm is treated with topical antifungal medications, many of which you can get OTC at the pharmacy.

Acanthosis Nigricans

Armpit rashes can also happen from causes that are not linked to an infection. Acanthosis nigricans is a condition that can make the skin have dark, “velvety,” raised patches. It appears in the skin folds of the armpits, groin, and around the neck. It's not common, but an acanthosis nigricans rash can be itchy.

Acanthosis nigricans is linked to increased insulin levels in the blood, which can happen with conditions like:

  • Obesity
  • Diabetes or insulin resistance
  • Hormonal changes
  • Certain medications

Acanthosis nigricans is not treated directly. Instead, the condition that's causing it needs to be treated. Once the underlying condition is under control, the rash should get better.

Inverse Psoriasis

Another cause of an armpit rash that’s not an infection is psoriasis, a chronic autoimmune condition. One form of psoriasis is especially likely to show up on skin folds, including under your arm.

Inverse psoriasis is seen in places where skin rubs together (intertriginous), including near the genitals. In addition to being in the armpit, you may have a rash in other parts of your body that bend (flexural) like behind your knees and elbows.

Unlike plaque psoriasis, the red rash from inverse psoriasis is usually smooth and shiny and doesn’t have scales. It may look brown or tan on darker skin tones.

If you go to your provider for a skin rash in your armpit, they might be able to diagnose it as psoriasis just by looking at it. They can also take a scraping of the skin to look at with a microscope (biopsy). 

The treatment for inverse psoriasis is a combination of lifestyle changes, over-the-counter (OTC) remedies, and prescription medications.

Since inverse psoriasis tends to be on sensitive parts of your body, your provider will discuss which psoriasis treatments will be the best option for you. Some of the standard psoriasis therapies can be too harsh for a rash on thin, fragile skin.

Hidradenitis Suppurativa/Acne Inversa

Another chronic health condition that can cause a rash in your armpit is hidradenitis suppurativa, also called acne inversa.

In this condition, hair follicles near sweat glands get blocked up and cause skin irritation. The rash that forms is made of painful bumps that have pus in them (which you may smell if they break open). Over time, breakouts of the rash can lead to scarred skin.

If your provider diagnoses you with hidradenitis suppurativa, they may want you to start using OTC topical treatments to see if they help you manage it. If the condition is more severe, you may need prescription medications. 

If you get really big bumps that are very painful and won’t heal, your provider may need to open them up so they can drain. 

Heat Rash

It’s not as common as getting it on more exposed parts of your body, but you can actually get heat rash in your armpits.

You can get heat rash under your arms for a lot of the same reasons that you can get infections and irritation, especially blocked sweat glands.

A “prickly heat” rash in your armpits can be uncomfortable but usually isn’t serious. It should clear up on its own, and it’ll help if you keep the skin dry. If the rash is severe, your provider might recommend you try using a lotion that can calm inflammation. 

Can You Get Cancer In Your Armpit?

Cancer is not a common cause of armpit rashes, but itchy, irritated skin can be a sign of some types of cancer including Hodgkin lymphoma, skin lymphoma, or breast cancer.

Summary

The armpits are common places for rashes because the skin there is thin and damp. Some armpit rashes are from skin irritation and allergic reactions, while others are caused by infections or chronic health conditions that need to be treated.

You may not be able to figure out what’s causing an armpit rash on your own. While a mild armpit rash can probably be taken care of a home, see a provider if it’s not getting better. They can make a diagnosis and talk to you about treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Why does my deodorant give me a rash?

    You're likely allergic to one or more fragrances or other ingredients in the deodorant. Propylene glycol is a preservative and moisturizer that can also cause a rash.

  • What does it mean if my armpit is red and burning?

    You might have intertrigo, a common cause of armpit rashes. The infection causes burning and irritation of the skin from moisture.

  • Are dark patches of skin under my arms a sign of diabetes?

    Acanthosis nigricans, a skin condition that causes patches of skin to darken and become velvet-like, can be a sign of prediabetes or diabetes. It is related to having too much insulin in your blood.

25 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. Uter W, Werfel T, White IR, Johansen JD. Contact allergy: A review of current problems from a clinical perspectiveInt J Environ Res Public Health. 2018;15(6):1108. Published 2018 May 29. doi:10.3390/ijerph15061108

  2. Brasch J, Becker D, Aberer W, et al. Guideline contact dermatitis: S1-Guidelines of the German Contact Allergy Group (DKG) of the German Dermatology Society (DDG), the Information Network of Dermatological Clinics (IVDK), the German Society for Allergology and Clinical Immunology (DGAKI), the Working Group for Occupational and Environmental Dermatology (ABD) of the DDG, the Medical Association of German Allergologists (AeDA), the Professional Association of German Dermatologists (BVDD) and the DDGAllergo J Int. 2014;23(4):126-138. doi:10.1007/s40629-014-0013-5

  3. National Eczema Association. Contact dermatitis.

  4. National Eczema Association. What is eczema?.

  5. American Academy of Dermatology Association. Acne-like breakouts could be folliculitis.

  6. Cleveland Clinic. Intertrigo.

  7. Kalra MG, Higgins KE, Kinney BS. Intertrigo and secondary skin infections. Am Fam Physician. 2014;89(7):569-73.

  8. Johns Hopkins. Yeast infections.

  9. Kalra MG, Higgins KE, Kinney BS. Intertrigo and secondary skin infectionsAmerican Family Physician. 2014;89(7):569-573.

  10. American Osteopathic College of Dermatology. Erythrasma.

  11. Sahoo AK, Mahajan R. Management of tinea corporis, tinea cruris, and tinea pedis: A comprehensive review. Indian Dermatol Online J. 2016;7(2):77-86. doi:10.4103/2229-5178.178099

  12. Phiske MM. An approach to acanthosis nigricans. Indian Dermatol Online J. 2014;5(3):239-49. doi:10.4103/2229-5178.137765

  13. American Academy of Dermatology Association. Psoriasis: signs and symptoms.

  14. National Psoriasis Foundation. Inverse psoriasis.

  15. Micali G, Verzì AE, Giuffrida G, Panebianco E, Musumeci ML, Lacarrubba F. Inverse psoriasis: From diagnosis to current treatment optionsClinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology. 2020;Volume 12:953-959. doi:10.2147/ccid.s189000

  16. American Academy of Dermatology Association. How can I treat genital psoriasis?.

  17. American Academy of Dermatology Association. Hidradenitis suppurativa diagnosis and treatment.

  18. American Academy of Family Physicians. Heat rash.

  19. Johns Hopkins. Prickly heat.

  20. American Cancer Society. Inflammatory breast cancer.

  21. American Cancer Society. About lymphoma of the skin.

  22. Moffit Cancer Center. What does a rash from Hodgkin lymphoma look like?.

  23. Kim M-J, Tagele SB, Jo H, et al. Effect of a bioconverted product of Lotus corniculatus seed on the axillary microbiome and body odor. Sci Rep. 2021;11(1):10138. doi:10.1038/2Fs41598-021-89606-5

  24. Metin A, Dilek N, Bilgili SG. Recurrent candidal intertrigo: Challenges and solutions. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2018;11:175-185. doi:10.2147/2FCCID.S127841

  25. American Academy of Dermatology Association. Acanthosis nigricans: Overview.

By Susan J. Huang, MD
Susan Huang, MD, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist practicing at Sutter Health. She is also an instructor at Harvard Medical School.