While I’d like to note that I have never made an effort to smell him, Acid Lamp doesn’t smell.
runs off to add to list of things I never thought I’d say
Since advice has turned to how to fix the underlying cause of my itchy armpits, You Are Not My Doctor So Any Suggestions Given Will Be Taken Under Advisement But Not Treated As Final Answers. So, now that the boilerplate is out of the way…
Wow- lots of good ideas. As it turns out, my combination of Chunk O’ Salt (the Thai mineral stuff alluded to several times in this thread) and talcum powder mentioned in the OP knocked out the odor about as well as my usual brand does. I will definitely try some of the methods mentioned in this thread if that stops working. To keep my post from being even longer, I’m not going to address the deodorizing methods individually. If anybody has a burning desire to hear my opinions on the various deodorizing methods mentioned here, I’ll do another post.
Since a couple of people expressed doubt, I know I have a noticeable odor without deodorant because my dad mentioned that a room that I alone had been in for a couple of hours had a B.O. smell. I’m 22 so my body still hasn’t totally settled down hormonally. I know I don’t smell all that bad, but at one of my jobs I’m going around town and soliciting business for a florist so I really need to be smelling fresh and pretty.
On to figuring out the underlying cause.
Yeast infection: I had half-considered that I might have a yeast infection. My body odor hasn’t changed, if that means anything. I’ve never had a yeast infection in my girly parts so I hoped I just wasn’t susceptible. I have gained a few pounds over the past couple of months…
Zirconium: Tom’s Hippy Dippy and my old standby are both zirconium free.
Antiperspirant: Haven’t used it in ten years as I’m allergic to it.
Lingering deodorant soap: I use Dove or Dr. Bronner’s. I used deodorant soap once around the time this problem started, but I haven’t used it since.
So, thank you everyone for the suggestions and advice.
Just popping in to mention that I had the EXACT same problem with Tom’s deodorant. I tried several different…er…flavors and had trouble with every one. I finally got fed up and switched back to evil non natural Lady Speed Stick, and the problem went away immediately. I don’t have sensitive skin. I will certainly be looking into some of the ideas posted here.
Another thing to look at is the method of delivery.
I began to get rashes when I used a solid deodorant / antiperspirant. After trying several brands with all of them doing the same thing to me, I saw a dermatologist. She advised to switch to a roll on, spray or cream.
Ten years of a roll on and I’m itch free and smell good. YMMV.
Update:
Went to the doc today. He looked at my underarms and said I had a fungal infection, possibly an opportunistic one that showed up when I had my initial inflammation but possibly not. He gave me a script specifically for the type he thinks I have so we’ll see how that goes.
Apparently a lot of people have the same problem (reas the comments). What’s in that stuff?
I haven’t found one of the “natural” deodorants (aside from the crystal stuff which I haven’t tried and don’t want to) that didn’t irritate my skin after a couple of days. Also, they don’t work at all on me.
Yet it sells like crazy around here. I don’t get it.