Causes of Baking Soda Deodorant Rashes

4 Possible Causes of Baking Soda Deodorant Rashes

Not many studies have been conducted on topical application of baking soda or baking soda deodorant rashes.

This is unfortunate becasue my deodorant fights smell on several levels but  the most effective ingredient is the baking soda. Baking Soda is highly alkaline. Body odor is caused by acid loving bacteria. Our sweat is acidic. Bu creating an alkaline environment on sweaty areas, we provide an inhospitable place for body odor causing bacteria.

The challenge is to find a way to get make the sweaty underarms stay alkaline long enough to be effective and finding the right level of alkalinity without irritating the delicate skin under the arms.
I believe we rash when baking soda’s alkaline level is too high for our skin. I believe that some people’s skin is more able to handle the alkaline level then other people’s skin. I wouldn’t think this reaction to baking soda makes it fit the definition of allergen. But why is someone more sensitive then others.

ALLERGY

Actual allergy is possible but a true allergy to baking soda is rare yet I did find reference to it is medical journals, usually involving ingesting baking soda. So, it seems to me, if you are allergic to baking soda, you also would be allergic to it when you ingest it and would be allergic to Alka Seltzer – although again, I am no allergy expert.

SKIN DELICACY

I imagine each of us have different degrees of delicacy under our arms making our ability to expose our skin to alkalinity varies. This might be similar to how some people can walk barefoot or handle hot objects while cooking.

ALKALINE LEVEL

I suspect we each have a slightly different natural topical acidity levels based on both unchangeable and changeable body chemistry. The higher your Ph (acid) on your body, the happier acid loving bacteria will be, the more they will thrive and thus, the more body odor you will have.

It seems to me, if you do have a natural high level of acidity occurring under your arms, you would be less sensitive to an alkaline substance because the acid you are producing would lower the alkaline of the substance you are applying topically. However, if you are someone with a bit less acid on your skin, the alkaline in topical applications the resulting Ph balance might be too alkaline for your skin to handle. Meaning, for some people, Baking Soda deodorant pushes them over the edge.

DIET

I think that if you start an alkalizing diet intentionally or not, your acid level on skin might lower, which in turn impacts the way your skin reacts to a baking soda deodorant. You may have to lower the amount you use, lessen the frequency you use it, dilute it or even switch to a Mineral Deodorant for awhile.

Preventing Baking Soda Rashes

It is likely you are allergic to Baking Soda. It is just too alkaline for how much acid your body produces. You might be able to still enjoy the incredible effectiveness of baking soda deodorants by trying these tricks.  

• Use less. I know this seems simple but some people don’t need much baking soda to enjoy the odor reducing benefits.
• Water down the deodorant if it is like mine and a lotion. Wet your hand before applying will work. 
• Dilute with Aloe Gel or Lotion
• Apply Lotion or Body Butter before or after applying
• Applying only where the hair grows
• Not using after shaving.