My 92 yr old grandma called me today to ask what kind of deoderant I would recommend she use. She said that in her old age, she is becomming allergic I guess, to deoderant. She says she's tried lots of kinds that they sell at her local Walmart. Right now the only thing that doesn't give her a rash is plain ol baking soda. Anything else she tries she'll try on day 1, then day 2-5 she has to put on Benadryl cream to make the painful burning rash go away.
Thoughts?
UPDATE: 4 out of the 8 of you suggest a crystal-type of product. One link (Naturally Fresh) says it's available at Walmart, so that's great! (They don't have a Target there). Grandma says that she's tried a "Toms" kind already and it gave her a similar rash. Not sure if Tom's of Maine and Tom's Natural are the same .... but if the crystal thing doesn't work, we may try a Toms and the Almay suggestion. And detergent - could be ... I will ask grandma if she's changed her detergent. I would doubt it, as she's 92 and pretty set in her ways, but it won't hurt to ask her. Thank you ladies (and gent) for taking the time to help my Grandma! I'll post a SWH in a couple weeks after she tells me how one/any of these suggestions are working.
I use Almay Anti-Perspirant & Deodorant Clear Gel Fragrance Free. This is the only one I have found that works that I am not allergic to.
My husband has the same issue...painful blistery rashy underarms, when he uses antiperspirant and scented deodorants. He has had good luck with Tom's of Maine, and the natural deodorant crystals that you just put water on. Good luck!
K.
If I were you, I'd check not only the deodoernt, but also the detergent the clothes are washed in.
I cannot use any antiperspirant. I cannot wash my clothes in Tide. I get a red rash. If I do it for a while the rash gets worse and gets itchy.
Good luck to you and yours.
I use Arm & Hammer Deoderant, which is aluminum free, and I buy it at HEB. It has baking soda, it's clear. It's much cheaper than most brands, and I've used the crystals as well. The solid crystal that you wet didn't thrill me, but the roll on kind was ok.
My doc told me just to wash my pits when I feel sticky and avoid deodorant altogether. Baking soda actually sounds like a good alternative. Get her one of those powder puffs to powder it on with. I sometimes use baby powder as well. (corn starch)
My first thought when reading post was "why is your 92 year old Gma wearing deodorant?" Given she probably isn't working up a sweat, she can probably do without. But as you say, 'she's set in her ways' My M. swears to lemon juice as a great and natural deodorant, your grandma can also take chlorophyll tablets/liquid as a supplement it is a natural deodorant. Neither of which should cause her a rash. Good luck.
Have her try a natural one without aluminum. I have been using the crystal one and I really like it.
I use a crystal deodorant I buy from Target. I don't know what it's called, but it's a roll on and in a purple bottle.
My dd is highly allergic to topical aluminum and it causes an immediate rash and a burn. It doesn't matter if it's in deodorant or antibiotic prescription creams: if it has aluminum, she's in misery for days. Most stores, especially things like Whole Foods, have aluminum-free deodorants. Tom's Natural is a good one.
My husband has the same reactions. He uses gold bond medicated powder in the green bottle. Which helps the rash go away. He has to change sents or brans often. Most of the ones that say sensitive would work for awhile. The best thing that we found is Clinical strength ( I like one that says romantic something or another for the sent name.) I believe it is Dove or secret that makes it.
Shaklee makes an excellent deodorant cream.
She could also try milk of magnesia.
Rock Crystal Deoderant
http://www.shopwiki.com/l/crystal-rock-deodorant
Since she can tolerate the Baking soda, maybe try Arm & Hammer Deodorant. Or something for sensitve skin, no fragrance.
