By Emily Laurence, Well+Good
Armpits
aren’t exactly sexy. There certainly aren’t articles in fashion
magazines giving you tips on how to accentuate them. The only attention
they typically get is how to keep them from smelling so much or how to
shave them to prevent firey razor burn. But as it happens, that could be
a mistake because armpit health can actually tell you a lot about your
overall wellbeing.
Details like their appearance, smell, and even
how much you sweat, all matter in the overall story of your health. Of
course, none of it is helpful unless you know what different armpit
indicators actually mean, according to medical professionals, who are in
the know. Keep reading for the low-down, so you know what armpit health
clues are worth paying attention to—and which ones you can just ignore.
6 clues your armpits are giving you about your overall health
1.
A red, itchy rash could be a sign of eczema
Simply
what your armpits look like can be meaningful intel—especially if you
experience any rashes. Howard Sobel, MD, a dermatologist and the founder
of Sobel Skin, says armpit rashes can happen for a few different
reasons (other than razor burn). One is that the rash in question could
be eczema. “Eczema is commonly found in folds of the body, like
armpits,” he says. “This skin condition usually begins in childhood, but
could definitely be a cause of a rash, especially during a flare-up.”
Eczema typically is red and itchy and can crust over. If you notice this
happening in the armpit area, it can tip you off to look other places,
like behind your knees or elbows. If you experience this, it’s
definitely worth seeing a derm to get an expert’s take on treatment.
2.
Rashes can also indicate an allergy
Dr.
Sobel says another reason why rashes could occur is due to irritation
from an ingredient in your deodorant, fragrance, body wash, or anything
else coming directly into contact with your armpits. He says these types
of rashes look similar to eczema (red and itchy), but they typically do
not crust over and also don’t occur elsewhere on your body. If you
switch up your beauty routine with anything new and then get an armpit
rash, it’s a good indicator that something in your new product could be
irritating your body or you might be potentially allergic.
3.
Swelling, itching, and scaling could indicate a yeast infection
Crazy
health tip: yeast infections don’t just occur in your vaginal area.
Family practice doctor Lisa Koche, MD, says they can happen under your
arms, which could be a sign that your body is overproducing yeast.
“Someone is more prone to yeast infections—of all types—if they have a
lot of sugar in their diet,” she says. “If there is an overgrowth of
yeast or fungus, swelling, itching, and scaling can occur under the arms
and can worsen in hot weather or tight clothing,” says Dr. Sobel,
adding that poor hygiene can also cause the body to grow fungus in the
armpits.
But don’t fret: Dr. Koche says there are some easy
solutions that will nip it in the bud, including probiotics or applying a
cream or tea tree oil topically. Definitely check with your doctor to
confirm your yeast infection and go with their remedies.
4.
Excessive sweating could be a sign of overactive neurological pathways
Besides
appearance, how much you sweat is another armpit health clue.
“Excessive sweating, known as hyperhidrosis, usually is not caused by an
underlying medical condition and is caused by overactivity in the
neurological pathways, but not anything to be concerned about,” Dr.
Sobel says. “Typically, if someone has [hyperhidrosis], they know
because they’re sweating a lot,” adds Dr. Koche. Again, nothing to worry
over because it can easily be treated if you see a doctor. Both MDs say
Botox tends to be the go-to solution, but if you’re looking for a
super-strong antiperspirant, reach for Dove Advanced Care Antiperspirant.
“Spicy foods, alcohol, and stress can also cause excessive
sweating,” Dr. Koche says, so try to keep those in check and limit
intake if you’re dealing with more sweat than usual.
5.
A funky smell could be an indicator that your pH is off
Without
deodorant, no one’s armpits smell like roses; Dr. Koche emphasizes that
armpit odor is completely normal. At least most of the time. “[Overt
armpit odor] happens when sweat comes in contact with bacteria on the
skin. You can smell more if you have more bacteria,” she explains. Dr.
Koche says this can happen due to an imbalance in pH levels, which can
be caused by too much “bad” bacteria in the gut. If you’re smelling
funky lately, it could be an indication that something could be off in
your gut.
6.
A change in smell could be a sign you’re dehydrated
Dr.
Koche says dehydration can also cause armpit smell to become stronger.
Often, she says, this is linked to excessive sweating during exercising
or when it’s hot. It’s important to replenish the body with the water it
loses through sweating. Dr. Koche also adds that a stronger smell could
be because the shirt you’re wearing isn’t breathable enough, trapping
sweat and odor in instead of letting it out.
See? Who knew armpit
health was such a goldmine of info about your well-being. While all of
this info can be helpful, it comes with a major, three-word caveat: See
your doctor. Otherwise, you may end up lying in bed at night worrying
about something that is actually NBD. And that would be, well, the pits.
See more at: Well+Good
