We asked Bulat Yunusov, a surgeon at GMS Hospital, to tell us why armpits can hurt and what to do about it.
The armpit area is a very sensitive area. Sweat glands are located on thin, delicate skin, and underneath are lymph nodes, an artery and a vein, several nerves of the brachial plexus, and muscles. Any damage or inflammation immediately leads to pain. In most cases, armpit pain is not dangerous in the long term, but in some cases it can be a warning sign from the body.
The pain can be one-sided or two-sided. Pain can be caused by a process that occurs in the armpit area, or it may be a consequence of a disease in another part of the body or organ.
Causes of rash in the armpits
A pediatrician or dermatologist will help determine the main cause of armpit rash in children. It is important to consult a doctor in a timely manner, undergo examination and begin treatment. In some situations, it is enough to follow certain recommendations to get rid of the problem.
A rash under the arms of a child is most often caused by the following reasons:
| Name | Description |
| Fungus | A disease in which infection of the body often occurs in public places. An easily transmitted pathology, therefore, to eliminate it, doctors prescribe antibacterial agents to patients. Without timely treatment, the fungus attacks healthy organs and tissues. |
| Allergy | Often, a rash in the armpits of children is a consequence of the use of hygiene products. In some situations, even a simple nourishing cream can lead to rashes on the body. |
| Skin chafing | The skin in the armpits of children is hypersensitive. Damage can be easily caused by tight and uncomfortable clothing. Irritation provokes inflammation and leads to the appearance of rashes under the arms. This is facilitated by excessive sweating, uncomfortable and tight clothing. Wet skin becomes irritated faster. Rubbing rashes appear more often in spring or summer. |
| Heat rash | A disease of the body that is characterized by an abnormal response to high temperatures and stressful conditions. The pathological condition can also appear after consuming hot foods and drinks. Warm rashes under the arms are small in size, red in color, and slightly raised in shape. It occurs more often during hot periods. |
| Eczema | A chronic infectious disease is accompanied by a strong inflammatory process. Rashes appear on the child’s body and peel. The skin tightens and becomes covered with ulcers. In some situations, blisters form and cause severe itching. |
| Seborrheic dermatitis | A chronic skin disease that occurs when a specific fungus enters the body. The inflammatory process negatively affects the functioning of the sebaceous glands. Not only rashes appear, but also redness. The skin swells, becomes oily, and is bothered by itching and burning. In some situations, yellow or white flakes will form. |
| Contact dermatitis | The pathological condition appears after contact with allergic substances. This can be regular soap, body lotion or cosmetics. The same thing happens when wearing clothes made from synthetic material. Contact dermatitis develops after fragrances and detergents. The pathology provokes the appearance of red and itchy rashes on the child’s body. |
| Ringworm | A disease characterized by scaly rashes that become crusty. In some situations, pathology provokes the appearance of red and round spots. Associated symptoms may include hair loss, severe itching, and blistering. |
| Furunculosis | A purulent rash appears on the body. They cause painful discomfort to the child. Treatment is strictly carried out under the supervision of a doctor, since a complication of this disease is blood poisoning. In difficult situations, the patient is indicated for surgical intervention to open and remove the contents of the boil. |
| Psoriasis | Chronic pathology of non-infectious origin occurs with itching and peeling of the skin, its thickening is observed, and crusts form. A rash appears in the armpits with red spots of heterogeneous color. |
Every disease or pathological condition is accompanied by associated clinical symptoms that cannot be ignored. A timely visit to a pediatrician or dermatologist will help determine the underlying cause and undergo treatment. Otherwise, there is a possibility of developing serious complications (secondary infection, scar formation).
What is diaper rash?
Diaper rash of the skin of a newborn is an inflammation of the skin folds that appears as a result of friction of the skin surfaces in contact with each other, as well as as a result of the irritating effect of skin secretion products and the negative effects of certain external factors.
One of the most common locations for diaper rash in a newborn's skin is the armpits. Due to the fact that the skin of the armpits is very thin and sensitive, active friction between the skin occurs, and little air gets into this area; diaper rash in this area bothers a large number of babies and, of course, their mothers.
Other Possible Causes
There are other provoking factors that cause armpit rashes in children:
- bacterial pathologies (scarlet fever);
- viral lesions of the child’s body (measles, chickenpox, mononucleosis);
- a bite of an insect;
- dermatological diseases;
- failure to comply with simple hygiene rules;
- increased sweating;
- scabies;
- chronic pathologies of internal organs in the child’s body;
- hormonal imbalance;
- severe obesity;
- use of certain medications.
Children often encounter heat rash in the first years of their lives. The disease is characterized by the appearance of small pink blisters.
What problems does a rash in the armpits with redness, itching, and temperature indicate?
A rash under the arms of a child in some situations is accompanied by pronounced signs that indicate the development of a certain disease:
| Name | Causes |
| Itching |
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| Redness |
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| Heat |
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| Pain syndrome |
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A pediatrician or dermatologist will help eliminate the underlying disease or cause of the pathological condition. The specialist will prescribe medications that reduce itching, heat and inflammation. Self-treatment is not recommended to prevent possible complications.
A rash under the arms of a child is not only accompanied by itching, redness, but also a burning sensation and pain. In some situations, bumps form at the site of the lesion, and clear or yellow discharge appears. In the absence of timely treatment, pathological processes progress and spread to healthy areas of the body.
What to do if a pimple in the armpit area hurts?
In addition to aesthetic discomfort, the rash may be accompanied by itching, burning, and pain. If a pimple in the armpit area hurts, you should consult a dermatologist to find out the cause of its occurrence. Sometimes acne can be combined with hidradenitis, and the doctor will prescribe complex treatment for different areas. To combat mild to moderate acne, your doctor may recommend azelaic acid, for example, Azelic®9 gel.
This is a drug that helps reduce the level of free fatty acids and normalize keratinization processes5. Azelik® gel exhibits antimicrobial activity against Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis5. The anti-inflammatory effect of the drug is based on the ability to reduce the metabolism of neutrophils and their production of free radical forms of oxygen5.
Diagnostic measures
A specialized specialist will help you determine the root cause and make the correct diagnosis. It is impossible to independently determine the source of the violations; it is strictly forbidden to give children medications without a doctor’s prescription.
A pediatrician or dermatologist examines the patient and, if necessary, prescribes additional tests:
| Name | Description |
| Scraping | For laboratory tests, tissue is taken from the affected area of the body and examined under a microscope. |
| General and biochemical blood test | Tests allow you to determine viral or bacterial damage to the child’s body, identify the inflammatory process and other disorders. |
| Skin tests for allergies | Specialists use various solutions to determine the source of the allergic reaction. |
Diagnostic measures will help the doctor establish an accurate diagnosis and, based on the information received, select the most effective treatment regimen. It is important to differentiate the provoking disease, since many serious pathologies are accompanied by similar clinical signs.
Drug treatment for children
Therapy for the child is selected by a pediatrician or dermatologist. It is necessary to first undergo a complete examination to establish the main cause of the rash under the arms in a small patient.
Treatment involves the use of medications internally or externally. The pediatrician or dermatologist prescribes medications to the child, taking into account his condition and the individual characteristics of the body.
Pills
It is recommended to give medications to a child for armpit rashes strictly as prescribed by the doctor. The active ingredients may aggravate the health condition or cause complications if the indicated dosages are not followed. There is also a high likelihood of side effects.
Children's armpit rash is treated with the following medications:
| Group of drugs | Name | Application |
| Antihistamines | Suprastin, Cetrin | Medicines eliminate swelling and itching. The drug is taken orally with meals. The recommended dosage is 0.025 g 2-3 times a day. In severe situations, the medicine is administered intravenously or intramuscularly. Children's dosage depends on age and is ¼-1/2 tablet 2-3 times a day. |
| Antibacterial drugs | Amoxicillin, Azithromycin | Medicines are used if the rash is accompanied by a bacterial infection. The doctor selects the dosage and treatment regimen taking into account the patient’s age. Adults are prescribed 500 mg 3 times a day. The pediatric dosage is 20 mg/kg 3 times a day. The course of therapy lasts 5-12 days. The medicine is taken at intervals of 8 hours. |
Additionally, vitamin complexes can be prescribed to maintain the child’s body’s immunity and increase its resistance to viral and bacterial diseases.
Ointments and creams
Ointments and creams are prescribed when a rash appears in the armpits to reduce discomfort. They soothe and restore the upper layer of the epidermis.
| Name | Application | Contraindications |
| Dermatop | The ointment is used externally. Apply a thin layer to the affected area of skin and rub in lightly. The maximum course of treatment lasts 4 weeks. |
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| Diaderm | The ointment is applied to the inflamed area of skin 4-6 times a day. The course of treatment lasts 1 month. The application area should be cleaned before treatment. |
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| Clotrimazole | Treat the affected areas of the skin with the medicine and rub in gently. Apply ointment 2-3 times a day. The course of treatment lasts 4 weeks. |
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Medicines have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects. It is important to adhere to your doctor's orders or carefully read the instructions for use to prevent side effects and complications.
Anesthetics
The child's body reacts violently to the negative influence of any allergen. Rashes appear on the body, especially under the arms, where the skin is very sensitive. Anesthetics are used to treat the affected areas.
| Name | Application | Contraindications |
| Psilo-balm | The medicine is used externally. Apply a small strip (3-5 cm) to the affected area of skin. Rub the gel in with light massage movements. Procedures are carried out 3-4 times a day. |
|
| Fenistil gel | The medicine is used externally, treating the affected areas of the body 2-4 times a day. For severe itching and extensive lesions, it is recommended to additionally take the medicine orally in the form of drops. |
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| Bepanten | The cream is used to treat the inflamed area of the body 1-2 times a day. |
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Medicines eliminate not only skin rashes, but also itching, redness, and pustular formations. Discomfort during long-term chronic diseases is also reduced, and the process of regeneration of damaged tissue is accelerated.
How to distinguish heat rash from allergies in a newborn
Seeing any rash on the skin of a newborn, a nursing mother first of all begins to worry whether she has eaten something forbidden, which has led to an allergy in the baby. In a panic, she may refuse all possible allergens, including foods necessary for the body, and this, together with stress, can have a bad effect on lactation. If the baby is bottle-fed, then he doesn’t need an unreasonable change of formula due to suspected allergies. Therefore, before making any decisions, any skin symptoms should be shown to a doctor to clarify the diagnosis.
Before visiting a doctor, take a look at what the rash looks like and where it is located, this will help determine the nature of its origin.
| Prickly heat | Allergy | |
| Dependence on the time of year, temperature, room humidity | Eat | No |
| Where do rashes form? | Folds, skin under hair, back of neck and back under clothing, armpits, groin - all poorly ventilated areas | Face (often cheeks), front surface of the chest and abdomen, arms, legs. |
| Nature of the rash | Isolated small clear or red bubbles | The rash may initially appear as separate elements in the form of small blisters and papules, often on a red background of the skin; the rash may merge into spots |
| Skin under rashes | Usually unchanged or slightly red and swollen | Dry, often red, prone to flaking or weeping areas with crusting, often itching |
| Additional symptoms (runny nose, cough, watery eyes) | No | Can be |
List
- Miliaria in newborns looks like small red or transparent bubbles with liquid, located in places of friction and contact of the skin with clothing.
- Miliaria occurs due to blockage of the sweat glands, the functioning of which in an infant is not yet perfect, in hot, humid conditions.
- Heat rash should be treated with hygiene procedures and the selection of loose clothing made from natural fabrics. Creams and ointments cannot be used without a doctor's prescription.
- Miliaria can be distinguished from allergies by the nature of the rash: the blisters are small, do not merge, and the skin underneath is not inflamed. Appears in hot weather and rarely bothers the child.
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Home remedy recipes and instructions for use
A rash under the arms of a child can be treated with prescriptions from witch doctors and healers, if there are no serious contraindications. Their use should be discussed with a pediatrician or dermatologist. The components used may cause an allergic reaction or other complications.
Effective traditional medicine recipes:
| Name | Recipe | Application |
| St. John's wort | Brew 3 tbsp. dry herbs with hot water (400-500 ml). Leave for 1-2 hours and strain. | The resulting decoction is recommended for use as compresses. Wet a cotton swab and apply it to the affected area of the body. It is recommended to carry out the procedures 3-5 times a day. |
| Herbal collection | Mix chamomile sage and peppermint in equal parts, 3 tbsp each. Pour boiling water (1 liter) over the resulting mixture. Put on fire and heat for another 10-15 minutes. Then cool and strain. | The herbal decoction is recommended for use in baths, lotions and washing the armpits. |
| Soda | Pour 2 tbsp. soda with warm water (200 ml). | The resulting solution is used to treat the affected areas of the child’s body. It is recommended to carry out the procedures at least 5 times a day. After baking soda, you can apply a moisturizer to your skin to help it recover faster. |
| Series | Pour 5 tbsp. herbs with hot water (1 l). Leave for 30 minutes and strain. | The resulting decoction is added to the bath while bathing. The series fights well against irritation, itching, and redness. |
| Starch | Dilute 90 g of product in 1 tbsp. warm water, mix well. | The resulting solution is poured into the bathroom. They bathe for 30 minutes and leave the bath without drying themselves with a towel. |
Ice will help relieve itching. Small pieces are wrapped in cloth and applied to the affected areas of the body. Oily vitamin E helps eliminate irritation and inflammation.
Lack of timely treatment will lead to complications. The child will itch, damage the blisters and cause an infection. There is also a high probability of scar formation. The entry of infection into the blood provokes the development of sepsis, and the functioning of internal organs is disrupted.
Additionally, complex therapy for rashes in the armpits in children involves preparing a special diet for the little patient. It is important to exclude from the menu all foods that increase the likelihood of an allergic reaction.
| Authorized Products | Prohibited Products |
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Drinking enough fluids will help remove toxins from the body and eliminate the accompanying symptoms of the pathological condition.
In most cases, armpit rashes in children are the result of failure to follow simple hygiene rules. Parents dress the child too warmly, he sweats, which also provokes an inflammatory process. You should contact your pediatrician to rule out the possibility of developing a serious illness. Because progressive pathological processes will lead to dangerous complications.
What does diaper rash look like under the armpits?
There are 3 degrees of diaper rash in the armpits of infants, which develop gradually:
- I degree - moderate hyperemia (redness) of the skin without visible violation of its integrity;
- II degree - bright red inflammation, sometimes accompanied by erosions;
- III degree - weeping areas of inflamed skin that appear as a result of numerous erosions merging with each other; the formation of ulcers is also possible.
At this degree, erythema extends beyond the armpits and can affect the skin of the chest and upper extremities.
Most often, the addition of bacterial or fungal flora occurs precisely with the third degree of diaper rash. Signs of a bacterial infection include severe hyperemia with discharge, blisters and pustules with white or yellowish contents.
Preventive measures include observing rules of skin hygiene and eliminating irritating factors that contribute to the development of diaper rash in newborns.
Prevention of diaper rash in the armpit skin consists of:
- cleansing the armpit area with running warm water. If it is not possible to wipe with water, you can use wet cleaning wipes without alcohol or fragrance. A number of studies have shown that the use of such wipes is effective for cleansing and hydrating the skin, as is bathing in water using fabric washes;
- bathing the baby in water with the addition of high-quality washing products, pharmaceutical brands approved by dermatologists;
- using frequent air baths after bathing the child;
- using a barrier care product or water-repellent emollient after swimming;
- using high-quality fabrics and materials when choosing clothes and diapers for a newborn;
- eliminating moments of skin trauma in the armpit area;
- using high-quality products for washing children’s clothes, without chemicals, parabens and other undesirable components.
