I’ve got a little thread in GQ about this cyst in my left armpit. I have some skin problems (rashes, whiteheads) in my right armpit as well. Doc says it’s my skin type. I’m thinking whatever deodorant I’m using (Gillette clear gel, either anti-perspirant or deodorant) is aggravating the problem.
First, I figure I should be washing with something anti-bacterial, at least in that area, such as chlorhexidine.
Second, for deodorant, I’m thinking something “natural” (but not that crystal shit) with less irritants and gunk to clog my already disgusting pores. Someone recommended tea tree oil deodorant, because apparently tea tree oil is the miracle elixir of the 21st century, and does just about everything short of curing leprosy. But seriously, it’s anti-bacterial, and I rather like the scent. It’s woodsy and masculine. Just like me. :rolleyes:
Have you tried it? Does it work to control your stinking, and if so, for how long? Any brands you’d recommend?
My problem is fungus under my big toe toenails. Use “Penlac” nightly for seven nights then remove with polish remover and start over. Fungus only slightly fazed. Bought a bottle of tea tree oil and apply over dried penlac work into areas at edge of nails. This has stopped the deterioration of the ends of the nails and hopefully let the nails grow out.
Used the internal medication, a pill a day for a couple of months at $1/day. No effect, then to penlac, then added tea tree oil.
To answer your question…try plain old bicaronate of soda.
Watch that cyst for ANY changes and if any appear hie thyself to a skin specialist pronto. Might be a good idea anyway with or without changes.
Tea tree oil may cause more skin irritation. Instructions on bottle advise removing excess with nail polish remover. Also suggests diluting with vegtable oil.
The product is labeled “Nail Saver” and advises to discontinue use if redness or irritation occurs. Also contains sesame oil and other ‘essential’ oils.
Have you tried it? Does it work to control your stinking, and if so, for how long? Any brands you’d recommend?
I use Toms brand which has a hella nice scent to it and does not irritate my very senstive skin…Toms brand works for me …it has tea tree oil in it …try it
I use a roll-on tea-tree oil deoderant occasionally and it seemed to work OK. But it was by a company that I don’t like as their products seem to skimp on the oil and overload on the ads. But yeah, it worked.
By Tom’s do you mean Tom’s of Maine? (or whatever)
I haven’t used any deodorant in the affected armpit for a couple of days. I won’t put anything oily on the cyst until it’s removed and healed. As prep to the (potential) draining etc., I’m on Cipro and using an alcohol-based topical erythromycin.
Just looking for things to try once things get back to normal. By tea tree oil deodorant I didn’t mean smear tea tree oil under my arms, but rather use a deodorant with tea tree oil in it.
Tea tree oil is pretty strong stuff; you want it in a solution of some kind, not neat.
It’s good’n’anti-bacterial - well scientifically documented. It’s good with acne, too. I use a tea tree face wash and deodorant and find them both good and non-irritating to my hyper-sensitive skin.
Try to avoid anti-perspirants & stick with plain deodorants. This seems really hard to do in the US (Tom’s of Maine was the only one I could find in the drugstore, perhaps you need hippie-herbal places for others.) Dunno about Canada. Do you have a “Lush” chain? I also have a gentle coriander & orange based deodorant from there.
Tea tree will not cure leprosy, AIDS or establish world peace
But it does smell kinda nice, and is lovely in hair conditioners; makes 'em all tingly. And the ONLY foot-stink-abatement product that worked on my husband’s stinky secondhand shoes (with secondhand stink) was mostly tea tree oil in an alcohol spray. And it’s very nice in ointments for stuff like chapped skin.
Tea tree oil and hemp fabric products are two reasons to love Australia!
Emilyforce, did you mix that shoe stuff yourself or buy it somewhere?
I have two children that no matter what I do to their shoes or feet within a few days they are horrible again.
Tried all the normal stuff, goldbond, lotrimin, tinactin, washing with baking soda, washing with vinagar, clean socks everyday, wear socks with shoes, ect…
I have the teatree oil already since I use it on my face and ended up using it in the childrens shampoo to help rid us of a lice problem two years ago.
It leaves the hair a bit oilyer so they can’t really stick, and also makes the environment on the scalp not to their liking. Worked like a charm after spending a ton of money on washing everything under the sun (bedding, clothes, carpets, stuffed animals, car) over the counter shampoos, battery operated combs, atom bombs, and hours of picking through endlessly long hair with a fine tooth comb a candle and a desk lamp causing neck cramps, eye strain, migraines, and tired crabby girls.
My husband bought it in London when we were visiting there in March 2002. Sadly, we couldn’t find anything similar here, and when the little bottle ran dry, he ended up giving the shoes to Goodwill. If he’d thought the shoes were worth saving (they were a kind of ugly color) I’d have tried mixing some up myself with some rubbing alcohol.
