You don’t want body odour but aren’t deodorants and antiperspirants dangerous?

Deodorants aim to prevent body odour, while antiperspirants reduce sweating. Although they can be used interchangeably. 

Many people may experience allergic and irritating reactions from deodorants and antiperspirants. The most common allergens in deodorants and antiperspirants are fragrance, essential oils, biological ingredients, parabens, vitamin E, and lanolin.

Here are some reactions to deodorants and antiperspirants:

1. Axillary dermatitis: One of the ways your body can become allergic to deodorant or antiperspirant is by developing a red, itchy rash, a burning feeling, and discolouration, which is known as axillary dermatitis. 
2. Contact dermatitis: This might also occur when allergens like fragrances and parabens come into direct contact with the skin. When you feel a stinging sensation, especially after shaving, you might be allergic to the deodorant, and it might be doing more than just preventing body odour. 
3. It may lead to dark, thick underarms: Deodorant chemicals like aluminum, fragrance, and alcohol can cause the skin to become irritated with continued use which leads to thickening and darkening the skin. Another cause of thicker, darker underarm skin is constantly shaving your underarm. 

Does deodorant cause breast cancer, alzheimer's, and kidney disease?

Deodorants have been connected to several health problems, such as breast cancer, kidney illness, and other conditions, but are they really that dangerous?

Some people believe that some antiperspirant ingredients can be absorbed through the skin, particularly after shaving, causing toxins to build up in lymph nodes and promoting the growth of cancerous cells. These assertions are baseless, according to the American Cancer Society and the National Kidney Foundation. Although parabens, which are used to keep germs, yeast, and fungi from growing on deodorants can behave like estrogen, their impact on the body is negligible and not nearly enough to increase the risk of breast cancer. 

Some people fear that using deodorant with aluminum increases their risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, a brain condition that causes memory loss and other cognitive and behavioural problems, but according to research, this isn't true.

However, you are more likely to have kidney issues from the aluminum in deodorant if your kidney isn’t already good. Thus, deodorant doesn’t cause kidney damage but exacerbates the problem.

At the end of the day, it's not as dangerous as some people make it. You can use deodorant and antiperspirant to prevent body odour.

To manage underarm rashes, follow these tips:

1.  Reduce inflammation by applying ice cubes or hydrocortisone cream for a few days. If these methods don't work, consult a doctor.
2.  Use warm or hot water when shaving your underarms; hydrate the area with shaving cream or foam, and always use a sharp razor. A blunt blade can irritate skin and cause cuts. Rinse with cold water to close pores and wait at least 10 minutes before applying deodorant.
3.  Switch to a natural deodorant, such as an aluminum-free and paraben-free option. Avoid natural remedies like lemon juice, as it can exacerbate the problem. If dark underarms are your concern, gently exfoliate the area with a cleanser and washcloth before applying a natural deodorant.