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Dermatology Community
This forum is for questions regarding Dermatology issues, such as: skin rashes, acne, birthmarks, skin infections, rosacea, and general skin care.
Flaky armpits
by liquefaction, Jul 20, 2008 04:42AM
I have had flaky armpits for a while now. At first i thought it might be tinea versicolor because it was kind of blotchy and does glow in the blacklight. but i have tried antifungal creams and shampoos to no avail. it doesnt itch or anything. i dont know if it glows in the blacklight because it is flaking skin or because of a fungus? i can scratch off little pieces of skin. what could it be? its not red, its slightly lighter than my regular color even when i tan, i think maybe just because it is dead skin coming off? i work in a place with lots of blacklights so its kind if embarassing...also i am always cold so i bundle up a lot even though i live in fl. so my armpits are probably ideal for a fungus. but it isnt so spotted like ive seen pics of tinea versicolor. i dont want to moiusturize them too much if its fungus right?i shave them 4-5 days a week.could it just be dry skin? please help?
Post Comment
It could be dandruff, which sometimes does affect the armpits or dry skin. Dandruff is due to the excessive shedding of dead skin cells from the scalp. As it is normal for skin cells to die and flake off, a small amount of flaking is normal and in fact quite common.
Malassezia(yeast) lives on the scalps of most healthy adults without causing problems. But sometimes it grows out of control, feeding on the oils secreted by your hair follicles and causing irritation that leads to increased cell turnover. The result is a large number of dead skin cells.
Seborrheic dermatitis affects not only your scalp but also other areas rich in oil glands, such as your eyebrows, the sides of your nose and the backs of your ears, your breastbone, your groin area, and sometimes your armpits.
Dandruff responds well to the use of medicated or anti-fungal (anti-yeast) shampoos, and there is a wide variety available from pharmacies.
You can wash your armpits daily with a solution of a shampoo that contains a medication, such as selenium sulfide, zinc pyrithione, or Nizoral AD.
ref:http://www.beauty-makeup-guide.com/hair-care/dandruf.htm