Do you suffer from brown or red spots, a bump, multiple bumps, itching or a rash under the armpit? The armpit is the hollow under the arm. There are lymph nodes under the skin, which play an important role in the immune system. Sweat glands are present in the hair follicles under the armpits. Sweat normally has little or no odor. Armpit odor occurs as a result of the skin bacteria present there. Itching under the armpits is very unpleasant, but can easily arise because it is warm and moist and can rub against the inside of the arm. Itching can also be caused by certain skin conditions. We discuss a number of skin conditions that can occur under the armpit: acanthosis nigricans, hidradenitis suppurativa (acne ectopica, acne inversa), fibroma pendulans, fibroma pendulans, pseudoxanthoma elasticum, psoriasis inversa, seborrheic eczema, intertrigo (blemishes). ), erythrasma and Hailey-Hailey disease.

Skin conditions armpit

• Acanthosis nigricans: dark skin discolorations under the armpit
• Hidradenitis suppurativa: abscesses in the groin and armpit
• Fibroma pendulans (skin warts): brown stalked swelling under the armpit
• Orthoergic contact dermatitis: bright red spots in the armpit
• Pseudoxanthoma elasticum: rows of yellowish or skin-colored bumps
• Psoriasis inversa: moist, bright red, non-scaly rash under the armpit
• Seborrheic eczema: red or red-yellowish itchy spots
• Intertrigo (spots): redness or reddish-brown spots under the armpit
• Erythrasma: superficial reddish-brown discoloration of the skin
• Hailey-Hailey disease: red spots with small superficial wounds
• Fox-Fordyce disease: small bumps in the armpit, groin and pubic area
• Sneddon-Wilkinson disease: numerous pimples on the skin surface
• Other causes of rashes and spots under the armpit

• Acne
• Insect bites and stings
• Cellulite
• Lyme disease
• Folliculitis
• Shingles
• Poor personal hygiene
• Pregnancy
• Impetigo or impetigo
• Hives
• Excessive sweating (axillary hyperhidrosis)
• Pityriasis rosea
• Ringworm
• Granuloma annulare

Acanthosis nigricans: dark skin discolorations under the armpit

Acanthosis nigricans (AN) is a rare skin disorder characterized by hyperpigmentation and hyperkeratosis (thickening) of the skin. This condition is not a disease in itself, but an indication of an underlying condition. The cause has not yet been fully elucidated, but it is associated with obesity and insulin resistance. What is noticeable are the dark skin discolorations and a thick, velvety rash in the flexures (skin folds) of the armpits, neck and the area of anus, genitals, under the breasts and groin.Complaints due to shaving your armpits / Source: Stevepb, Pixabay

Hidradenitis suppurativa: abscesses in the groin and armpit

Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic inflammatory skin condition in which the hair follicles, especially in the groin and/or armpits, are inflamed. Hidradenitis suppurativa is actually a misnomer, because it is incorrectly assumed to be a sweat gland disorder, while the inflammation originates from the hair follicles. Characteristic are the infiltrates (solid-feeling inflammations) that are connected to each other via fistula ducts (ducts that have arisen due to ulceration). There are also cysts that can regularly become re-inflamed. The cause is unknown, but risk factors include (heavy) smoking, shaving the armpits and/or bikini line or pubic area, and tight clothing that cuts into skin folds.

Fibroma pendulans (skin warts): brown stalked swelling under the armpit

Fibroma pendulans are also called skin tags . A skin tag is a soft, elastic, skin-colored to brown stalked swelling, ranging from a few millimeters to several centimeters in size. This concerns benign connective tissue proliferation. A skin tag or fibroid is a fairly small, stalked, rubbery growth on the skin, a benign skin flap. They are usually skin-colored, sometimes lightly pigmented. Often a few millimeters in size, sometimes a few centimeters. They do not cause any complaints such as itching or pain. Occurs in approximately 46% of the population. Preferred locations: mainly in the neck and armpits, sometimes the groin, and on the eyelid. If desired, the doctor can cut them away with a sterile instrument.

Orthoergic contact dermatitis: bright red spots in the armpit

Orthoergic or irritating contact dermatitis under the armpits is usually caused by a deodorant or soaps. This condition is the result of the skin-damaging effect of substances. In the armpits it looks bright red, partly spotty. The skin lesion is quite sharply demarcated from the surrounding healthy skin. Sometimes the patient experiences a burning sensation.Skin abnormalities in pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) / Source: Kilbad, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-3.0)

Pseudoxanthoma elasticum: rows of yellowish or skin-colored bumps

Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) is a hereditary connective tissue disorder that can affect the elastic tissue of the skin, heart, blood vessels and eyes by depositing calcium and other minerals in the tissue. It appears as rows of yellowish or skin-colored papules or bumps, sometimes converging into plaques (‘plucked chicken’). It often first appears on the back of the neck, but can also manifest itself in the armpits, elbow creases, back of the knees, groin, corners of the mouth and around the navel.

Psoriasis inversa: moist, bright red, non-scaly rash under the armpit

Psoriasis inversa is a psoriasis manifestation that mainly affects the elderly. The psoriasis patches can occur in body folds and are moist, bright red, not flaky and often sharply defined. Preferred locations are under the breasts, in the armpits, near the genitals, in the buttocks or in the folds of the abdomen, the navel region. Psoriasis inversa can develop spontaneously in a patient with pre-existing psoriasis, but can also occur in isolation.

Seborrheic eczema: red or red-yellowish itchy spots

Seborrheic eczema is a harmless, non-contagious chronic-relapsing condition that causes flaking of the skin and red or red-yellowish itchy patches, usually sharply defined eruptions, especially in places where many sebaceous glands are present, such as on the scalp, face and the chest. The armpits may also be affected. The condition affects both children and adults.

Intertrigo (spots): redness or reddish-brown spots under the armpit

Intertrigo or blemish spots is the general term for redness or reddish-brown spots, sometimes spots, without obvious scaling, in the body folds of the skin where it is warm and moist. Common areas are the groin, armpits and the skin under the breasts. The spot is bright red, sharply defined, moist or wet with scaly edges, sometimes even scabs develop. It can cause complaints such as itching and pain. Irritation in the body folds mainly occurs in overweight people, because their folds are deeper. Patients with diabetes and bedridden patients are also susceptible to intertrigo complaints. In addition to obesity, perspiration, friction and urinary incontinence can play a role in the development of the complaints. Sweat and urine accumulate and as a result of friction the protective layer of the skin is damaged, causing it to become easily irritated and causing redness. The heat, sultry and damage to the skin barrier give bacteria and fungi free rein. Any ‘secondary infections’ can make the complaints worse.

Erythrasma: superficial reddish-brown discoloration of the skin

Erythrasma is a mild, superficial reddish-brown discoloration of the skin, caused by an overgrowth of the bacterium Corynebacterium minutissimum . It manifests itself only in the body folds; the groin and armpits. These are places where the skin is moist and warm. It is a common and harmless condition that is easily treated with creams or antibiotics.

Hailey-Hailey disease: red spots with small superficial wounds

Hailey-Hailey disease is a rare genetic disorder in which red spots with small superficial wounds develop in body folds such as the armpits, groin, buttocks and under the breasts.

Fox-Fordyce disease: small bumps in the armpit, groin and pubic area

Fox-Fordyce disease is a rare chronic skin condition, mainly seen in women between the ages of 13 and 35. This condition causes small bumps, which can sometimes itch, to form in places where there are apocrine sweat glands, such as the armpits, but also in the groin and pubic area. These skin abnormalities are caused by closure of the apocrine sweat glands.

Sneddon-Wilkinson disease: numerous pimples on the skin surface

Sneddon-Wilkinson disease, also known as ‘subcorneal pustular dermatosis’, is a rare, chronic relapsing skin disease. The disease mainly manifests itself in women between the ages of 40 and 50. It is less common in men and the skin disease is extremely rare in children. Sneddon-Wilkinson disease is characterized by numerous soft pimples on the skin surface. They usually appear on the torso, arms and legs and body folds, such as the armpits and groin. The face and mucous membranes are usually not affected. In Sneddon-Wilkinson disease, large flat and flaccid pimples or pustules appear, sometimes accompanied by redness. The pimples can develop in a short time, often preceded by itching. The cause of Sneddon-Wilkinson disease is unknown. Treatment is primarily aimed at preventing complications.

Other causes of rashes and spots under the armpit

Other causes of a rash under the armpit include:

Acne

Acne (pimples) is an inflammatory disease of the sebaceous glands of the skin. You can get pimples not only on your face, but also in other places on your body, such as on your back or shoulders. But acne can also manifest itself under your armpits.

Insect bites and stings

Insect bites under the armpit or elsewhere on your body can cause itching, pain and swelling.

Cellulite

Cellulitis refers to a suddenly spreading infection of the skin and subcutaneous fat. Local pain and redness occurs, which quickly worsens. The affected area can be very extensive in size. It is also red, warm and swollen.Erythema migrans / Source: Hannah Garrison, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA-2.5)

Lyme disease

Lyme disease is caused by the Borrelia bacteria that is transmitted by the tick and is accompanied by fatigue, chills, fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes, muscle aches and joint pain. Lyme starts with a local skin infection starting with erythema migrans. This red circle or spot after a tick bite is often the first sign of Lyme disease. The area is usually painless, usually not itchy, and not raised. Preferred areas are the torso, legs, armpits and groin.

Folliculitis

Folliculitis is an inflammation of the upper part of the hair follicle or hair follicle and is often the result of an infection with a bacteria, a fungus, a virus or a yeast. Under the armpit, folliculitis is often caused by the troublemaker ‘Staphylococcus aureus’, especially when shaving.

Shingles

Shingles or herpes zoster is caused by a reactivation of the chickenpox virus. It is a very painful, sudden skin reaction, which is accompanied by small blisters.

Poor personal hygiene

Using dirty razor blades and poor personal hygiene can cause itching and other complaints under your armpits.Itching under the armpits during pregnancy / Source: Greyerbaby, Pixabay

Pregnancy

Under the influence of all kinds of hormonal changes, the armpits can swell slightly during pregnancy. A pregnant woman’s armpits can also itch more.

Impetigo or impetigo

Impetigo (impetigo) is a contagious infection of the skin, usually localized around the nose or mouth, but can occur anywhere in the body.

Hives

Hives are often caused by a hypersensitivity reaction. You suddenly get an itchy rash with pale pink, slightly swollen spots. These are also called ‘hives’.

Excessive sweating (axillary hyperhidrosis)

It is estimated that 2-3% of people suffer from excessive sweating of the armpits or of the palms and soles of the feet.

Pityriasis rosea

Pityriasis rosea (PR), also called Gibert’s disease, is an acute and characteristic skin disorder, consisting of pink-red scaly spots that can be slightly itchy.

Ringworm

Ringworm or tinea corporis is a superficial fungal disease of the smooth hairless skin, with a characteristic ring-shaped appearance.Reddish-brown bumps due to granuloma annulare / Source: Mierlo, Wikimedia Commons (CC0)

Granuloma annulare

Granuloma annulare is a harmless, chronic skin condition characterized by skin-colored bumps that form a circle or ring.

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