Pimples in general develop when the pores are clogged by dead skin and dirt and become infected. The infection leads to swollen red lesions filled with pus.

There are two types of armpit pimples. One is acute and the other is chronic.

Acute pimples

Acute pimples are caused by trauma. Waxing, shaving, threading and pulling out hair with forceps, all can cause trauma.  They can happen to everyone once in a while, randomly.  If acute pimples happen frequently, they can be treated with antibiotics.

Chronic pimples

Chronic pimples are because of a medical condition called Hidradenitis suppurativa aka acne inversa. It is a fairly common inflammatory condition characterized by inflammation around the hair follicles in the armpits, under the breasts, abdominal fold, in the groin and the perianal region. It consists of painful red nodules, bumps, cysts and boils that subsequently rupture and become even more inflamed and fuse to develop sinus tracks and fistulas that can drain inflammatory fluid out to the surface of the skin. Ultimately it results in scarring. 

This systemic disease happens to have unpleasant skin manifestations as side effects. These side effects are a reflection of something going on at a bigger level inside your body. It could be some kind of inflammation in the body or a dysregulation of the immune system. People suffering from this condition may also suffer from other diseases of follicular occlusion. They may experience conditions like acne conglobata (face), dissecting cellulitis (head) and pilonidal cyst (right above groove between the buttocks).

This happens in women more often than men. Before starting any form of treatment, it is important to find out the root cause. Your doctor will take swabs and cultures of the fluid that comes out of these lesions. After identifying whether it is acute or chronic, they will be able to prescribe the right kind of antibiotic. It is very important to find the right antibiotic. 

This condition has a profound impact on someone's quality of life. Not only is it painful, it can also be really messy. If a proper diagnosis is made quickly, it can be treated sooner. Do not self-medicate and delay proper diagnosis.

Will Super Deodorant cause red pimples?

Super Deodorant will not cause pimples. The oil and butter used in Super Deodorant contain a very high level of linoleic acid. This essential fatty acid is a blessing for acne-prone skin. The particle size of the other ingredients is too large that they can never penetrate the dermis.  However, one of our suggestions may unearth some pimples. 

We recommend exfoliating the armpits once or twice a week in the early stages of your relationship with Super Deodorant. The skin exfoliates itself every 30 days or so and makes room for new cells . However, some dead cells mixed with dirt won't shed naturally. Exfoliation helps remove dead cells from the surface of the skin. While doing so, the process uncovers pimples, blackheads and whiteheads that are hidden underneath the dead cells and dirt. This is called skin purging and it is good for the skin. These pimples will go away on their own in a few days. Do not panic. If they don't go away in two to three weeks, do not blame the deodorant. Please consult your doctor and if required, seek a second opinion from another specialist.