I have used a solid deodorant for many years now and this problem I have has only cropped up recently. I can't seem to get the deodorant to wash off completely. Sometimes I scrub 2 - 3 times in the shower and go to bed without putting any deodorant on, only to wake up and shower again first thing in the morning, scrub under my arms, and the skin under my arms still feel tacky. Wanting to try everything, I have even gone the whole next day without deodorant from showering the night before, and I still have problems.

Even worse is, when I put deodorant on regardless of the "residue" under my arms, the new deodorant does not work as well and by early afternoon, I notice the beginning of body odor.

Now even more worse, is that the skin under my arms have become super sensitive to shaving and I actually get large bumps of ingrown hairs that hurt, and some have even gotten infected. Not knowing what to do, I just stopped shaving for a while to see if my underarms become less sensitive to the deodorant problem. It's the same regardless.

I have always had hormonal problems, but I don't know if this is hormonal, or if I have become allergic to deodorant, or both. I'm a little worried and I'd love some input. Also, I will be switching to a roll on or a spray to see if they work better for me.

By Sandysmom on Wednesday, November 14, 2007 - 10:28 am:

Okayyyyy.... I forgot to post anon and I tried to edit it and it wouldn't let me change to anon. *very embarassed*

By Dawnk777 on Wednesday, November 14, 2007 - 11:17 am:

I guess I would try to see if a different form of deoderant would work better. Maybe your skin is sensitive to the chemicals in the solids. If you are still having problems, maybe you should see the doctor to see what ideas they might have.

By Karen~admin on Wednesday, November 14, 2007 - 11:19 am:

Sandy, you may not want to use a spray, there's something it the spray that may irritate your skin or make these problems worse. My DS has had a LOT of problems for a good 10 years with deodorant. He would even develope cysts or boils in his armpits. He'd also get ingrown hairs. This stuff would get infected, and aside from just looking plain gross, it would cause him a lot of pain. He changed the type of deodorant he uses. I'm not sure what he's using now, but he says there is only one kind he can use now, and he still occasionally has a problem.

Don't be embarrassed. It's a pretty sure bet, no matter *what* problems any of us may be having, someone else has had the same thing, so don't worry!

You might try using an antibacterial soap under your arms like Dial - shower and wash underneath your arms really well before going to bed at night and don't put any deodorant on before bed. Make sure you rinse all the soap off really well too.

I'm wondering if you have some sort of lingering staph infection or something that keeps recurring. You might want to check into that.

Don't know what else to recommend, but you're not alone!

By Cybermommyx4 on Wednesday, November 14, 2007 - 01:46 pm:

I had a problem with my two youngest DSs, where they weren't scrubbing off all the old deodorant while showering, and then they'd put new deodorant on top...I had to wipe their armpits with rubbing alcohol to remove the residue. I'm not sure if that's a good idea, though, if your skin is already sensitive and irritated.

By Bobbie~moderatr on Wednesday, November 14, 2007 - 05:43 pm:

Sandy, don't be embarrassed. I tried doing a search for info and the only thing I can seem to find made referenced to perfumed/mosturizing body soaps, lotions applied and/or armpits not being completely dried when the deodorant is applied. All the above can cause the deodorant to "stick" to the skin in the shower.
Is this a deodorant you have been using for a while? Have you changed anything else?

By Yjja123 on Wednesday, November 14, 2007 - 06:50 pm:

I would switch to a gel deodeorant.

By Cocoabutter on Wednesday, November 14, 2007 - 07:37 pm:

It's possible that the maker of your deodorant changed something in the formulation and maybe you are having an allergic reaction. Have you tried taking any Benadryl before bed?

I had this exact same problem. Put up with it for 2 weeks and changed brands of deodorant. It went away.

You can keep trying different deodorants until you find one that you don't have problems with, but I would consider going to the doctor before doing something else that might cause a worse reaction.

By Unschoolmom on Wednesday, November 14, 2007 - 08:46 pm:

Sandy - That's nothing to be embarrassed about! Moral shortcomings are something to be embarrassed about, bodily functions and reactions are certainly not especially when issues around health are involved.

By Sandysmom on Thursday, November 15, 2007 - 09:58 am:

Thank you ladies I appreciate your putting my mind at ease. If the roll-on doesn't work, then I might go to a dermatologist. Also, I am going to use a different soap for under my arms. I use Dove soap and as Bobbie said, the moisturizers may not be dry all the way before I put my deodorant on, or it could be that Dove is just not strong enough to remove all the residue. The brand deodorant I use is Ban, and sometimes Dove deodorant. Thanks again ladies

By Bobbie~moderatr on Thursday, November 15, 2007 - 11:05 am:

Sandy, a reaction between your skin/chemicals, the soap and the deodorant can be making the deodorant "gummy".

By Bobbie~moderatr on Wednesday, November 28, 2007 - 06:41 am:

Not trying to really re-visit the embarrassment of this thread Sandy, but how are things going? Been thinking about you...