{"id":173345,"date":"2025-10-01T18:00:14","date_gmt":"2025-10-01T18:00:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/173345\/"},"modified":"2025-10-01T18:00:14","modified_gmt":"2025-10-01T18:00:14","slug":"how-your-deodorant-can-cause-cysts-rashes-and-even-serious-breathing-problems-our-experts-reveal-everything-you-need-to-know-and-the-signs-to-watch-out-for","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/173345\/","title":{"rendered":"How your deodorant can cause cysts, rashes… and even serious breathing problems: Our experts reveal everything you need to know – and the signs to watch out for"},"content":{"rendered":"

Most of us rely on some form of deodorant to help keep our underarms fresh. But just how good for your health are they really?<\/p>\n

Last month, Mitchum deodorant had to issue a product recall<\/a> after users started complaining of burns and rashes.<\/p>\n

The company was forced to acknowledge that \u2018a change in the manufacturing process affecting one of our raw materials\u2019 had caused the issue.<\/p>\n

And this isn\u2019t the first time deodorants (which stop you smelling) and antiperspirants (which stop you sweating) have caused controversy.<\/p>\n

The internet is awash with scaremongering stories of all the ways these products could harm you. So, which are true? Here, Claire Coleman separates fact from fiction with a myth-busting guide\u2026<\/p>\n

MYTH: THEY CAN CAUSE SKIN IRRITATION<\/p>\n

TRUE OR FALSE? True<\/p>\n

\u2018Reactions usually occur in people with sensitive skin, eczema, or allergies,\u2019 says Dr Sonia Khorana, a GP with a special interest in dermatology. \u2018Often it\u2019s a combination of factors such as applying right after shaving when the skin barrier is disrupted.\u2019<\/p>\n

According to consultant dermatologist Dr Sina Ghadiri, fragrances are one of the most common ingredients responsible for allergic contact dermatitis \u2014 or skin irritation brought on by an allergic reaction. \u2018For those who know they have sensitivities to fragrance, seek out fragrance-free products and do a patch test.\u2019<\/p>\n

\"According <\/p>\n

According to consultant dermatologist Dr Sina Ghadiri, fragrances are one of the most common ingredients responsible for allergic contact dermatitis<\/p>\n

\"Last <\/p>\n

Last month, Mitchum had to issue a product recall after ‘a change in the manufacturing process’ caused problems for users<\/p>\n

But it\u2019s not just fragrances that can cause problems.<\/p>\n

\u2018Some products will contain alcohol that can strip the skin barrier and cause stinging, dryness or irritation,\u2019 says Dr Khorana. \u2018Aluminium salts \u2013the active ingredients in antiperspirants \u2013 are generally safe but, in some people, they may cause stinging, itching or irritation, particularly if applied to shaved or broken skin.<\/p>\n

\u2018Essential oils, such as tea tree, lavender and citrus oils, are usually marketed as \u201cnatural\u201d, but these are still really irritating, and citrus can make skin more sensitive to sunlight too,\u2019 says Dr Khorana.<\/p>\n

MYTH: DEODORANTS CAUSE CANCER<\/p>\n

TRUE OR FALSE? False<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a lot of fearmongering around the use of deodorants and an increased risk of cancer, specifically breast cancer, but to date there is no evidence for this.<\/p>\n

Two of the ingredients usually highlighted as being of cause for concern are parabens \u2013 preservatives often used in products like these \u2013 and aluminium. But, according to Cancer Research UK, there really is nothing to worry about.<\/p>\n

\u2018Some studies in rats reported that parabens might act like the hormone oestrogen,\u2019 they explain on their website. \u2018Because oestrogen is involved in some breast cancers, people may worry parabens could be linked to breast cancer. But there\u2019s no reliable evidence that parabens cause breast cancer in people.\u2019<\/p>\n

Similarly, they conclude, \u2018the best studies have shown no link between aluminium, deodorants and breast cancer\u2019.<\/p>\n

MYTH: SPOTS OR CYSTS CAN BE CAUSED BY ANTI-PERSPIRANTS<\/p>\n

TRUE OR FALSE? True<\/p>\n

Reddit forums are packed with users complaining that anti-perspirants cause painful cysts, boils or spots. While this isn\u2019t an issue for everyone, when it is, you\u2019ll know about it.<\/p>\n

This happens partly because aluminium salts react with the proteins in sweat, causing a temporary plug in the sweat gland. \u2018This can lead to cysts which, in turn, can increase the risk of infection and need for antibiotics and drainage,\u2019 says Dr Khorana. \u2018I\u2019d advise washing and exfoliating the area regularly.\u2019<\/p>\n

\"Cancer <\/p>\n

Cancer Research concludes that \u2018the best studies have shown no link between aluminium, deodorants and breast cancer\u2019<\/p>\n

MYTH: DEODORANTS CAN CAUSE BREATHING DIFFICULTIES AND DEATH<\/p>\n

TRUE OR FALSE? True<\/p>\n

If you Google \u2018has anyone ever died from using deodorant?\u2019, you will find a number of incidents of people suffering cardiac arrests after inhaling spray deodorant \u2013 either intentionally or by mistake.<\/p>\n

After one such death in 2023, a spokesperson for RoSPA, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents said: \u2018Inhaling large quantities of aerosols, not just deodorants, can lead to a whole host of life-endangering scenarios \u2013 from blackouts and breathing difficulties, to heart rhythm changes and sadly, death.<\/p>\n

\u2018There\u2019s a common misconception that fatalities from aerosols only happen in a substance abuse scenario, but this is absolutely not true. We have seen a number of fatalities over recent years where children and young adults have over-sprayed aerosols.\u2019<\/p>\n

It is thought solvents and propellants used in aerosols can sensitise the heart to adrenaline, triggering a fatality. Ultimately, if deodorant is used as directed, in small amounts and in well-ventilated areas, it shouldn\u2019t cause any issues.<\/p>\n

MYTH: THEY CAN CAUSE PIGMENTATION PROBLEMS<\/p>\n

TRUE OR FALSE? Maybe<\/p>\n

Some reports suggest regular use of anti-perspirants or deodorants can cause dark patches of skin under the arms, and Dr Ghadiri acknowledges this is a possibility, but says, \u2018However, it is important to stress there are many other causes for this.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u2018Conditions like acanthosis nigricans \u2013 a darkening of the skin on the body, which can be related to diabetes and hormone disorders, among other things \u2013 can easily be missed, or attributed to other causes. So go to your doctor if you notice dark patches on your armpits,\u2019 he adds.<\/p>\n

MYTH: ANTI-PERSPIRANTS CAN GIVE YOU ALZHEIMER’S<\/p>\n

TRUE OR FALSE? False<\/p>\n

Studies have shown that people with Alzheimer\u2019s do appear to have higher levels of aluminium in their brains, but this is thought to be a consequence of Alzheimer\u2019s rather than a cause.<\/p>\n

Still, people have expressed concerns about the daily use of products that contain aluminium salts, as antiperspirants do. However, the science simply doesn\u2019t show this is a problem. According to Alzheimer\u2019s Research UK, \u2018currently, no research proves that day-to-day exposure to environmental metals causes Alzheimer\u2019s.\u2019<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Most of us rely on some form of deodorant to help keep our underarms fresh. But just how…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":173346,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[97,519,59,102,56,54,55],"class_list":{"0":"post-173345","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-health","8":"tag-dailymail","9":"tag-femail","10":"tag-gb","11":"tag-health","12":"tag-uk","13":"tag-united-kingdom","14":"tag-unitedkingdom"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/173345","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=173345"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/173345\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/173346"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=173345"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=173345"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=173345"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}