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Wilma (Ingram, Tx) on 09/02/2010
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Please be careful with baking soda. It took me 2 years to realize it was cleaning with baking soda that was causing the skin around my finger nails to crack and bleed... Very painful. Use rubber gloves to clean with baking soda. It also caused a rash when I wash my hair with it. It took me several months to figure that one out since the rash didn't start when I first used it... It didn't start until several months later.

Replied By Francisca (Michelbach-le-bas, Alsace, France) on 09/03/2010

Wilma, I suppose that you use what we call bicarbonate of soda, if so I have been using it in my bath water and also to exfoliate my face with very good results. Maybe you are allergic to it....

Replied By Dallas (Amesbury, Ma) on 12/15/2013

I have used baking soda and coconut oil as a deodorant and it is super! Best deodorant I have ever used. However after using it for a while, I broke out in a flat, red, itchy rash about the size of a quarter or a bit bigger in both underarms. Coconut oil alone has never given me a skin problem. Nothing I have used gets rid of this rash though I discontinued this protocol at least a couple of months ago. Anyone have any idea as to how to get rid of a rash like this?

Replied By Mama To Many (Tennessee, Usa) on 12/15/2013

Hi Dallas,

One of my teen sons has had this happen to him, several times. He has very sensitive armpits and has had just the rash you describe, even from natural deodorants. He had immense relief from a home-made salve I made for him. It has been a while and I don't recall the exact recipe. But any natural salve made with calendula would be similar. Plantain, comfrey and chickweed would all be good for your skin if they would be in a natural salve you could find. I think the one I made had some tea tree essential oil in it.

If you can't find something like that, try A&D ointment (the original one) for diaper rash. It has to be the name brand and the original. I believe it is effective because of the Cod Liver Oil (for the A&D.) Generic has A&D but the source is not Cod Liver Oil and I find it doesn't work at all. You would find this in the baby section of any store with a baby section.

If neither of those work, it could be a fungal rash, though it does just seem to be a reaction to the baking soda.

By the way, my son can use Alvera Aloe deodorant. He works on a farm and gets very sweaty and this really does work for him. He has used it for years with no reaction.

Let us know how it goes! If none of these work, I will try and think of more ideas. We have dealt with many skin issues in our family.

~Mama to Many~

Replied By Anon (Anon) on 12/15/2013

Since the rash happened probably because of the baking soda, which is alkaline, maybe applying an acid like apple cider vinegar would soothe it?

Replied By Nanowriter (Hotspot, Texas) on 12/16/2013

I have had good luck using zinc ointment for skin irritation. The kind I use has no petroleum and has chamomile in it as well as zinc.

Replied By Dallas (Amesbury, Ma) on 12/16/2013

Thanks, Anon. I will consider using your idea for a treatment, but as the rash is not only itchy, it burns a lot too, and many things I put on it make that burning worse. ACV probably would be no exception. But if things settle down, I might just try it.

Replied By Dallas (Amesbury, Ma) on 12/16/2013

Dear Mom to Many,

I too, am a mom to many. Thanks for your advice. I have tried the A&D and it helps for a while but then the rash comes back as strong as ever. I will look at your other ideas and see what to try next.

Replied By KT (Usa) on 12/16/2013

FYI: I just checked our drug store brand generic A&D and the first ingredient on it is cod liver oil. It also says to compare the ingredients with the original. Costs less and works well for us. As far as rashes go...could be something that is being eaten. I had to make a list of everything I ate and what time I ate it to observe what reaction I was having when. Food is changing. Our entire food supply is being infiltrated with hidden sources of MSG and GMO's. Everyone is on his own to find what is safe.

Replied By Mama To Many (Tennessee, Usa) on 12/16/2013

Kt,

Thanks for letting us know about the generic A&D. That is good to know. It has been years since I checked on that. I don't know if all generics have Cod Liver Oil, but glad at least one does.

Dallas,

Borage Oil, internally, helped me to clear up a chronic skin rash. Just another thing you can try. Let us know how it goes!

~Mama to Many~

Replied By Dallas (Amesbury, Ma) on 12/17/2013

Thanks, Mama to many. I will add that to my list of things to try.

Replied By Dallas (Amesbury, Ma) on 12/17/2013

Well, I do have food allergies but they never have shown themselves in quite this way before - I have had other kinds of rashes before ie: eczema which were caused by food allergies, so why not?

Replied By Dallas (Amesbury, Ma) on 08/03/2017

Hi, Mama to Many. Sorry to be so long in replying. BTW, I am also a mama to many. I took your advice and did get diaper cream but couldn't find the one you suggested. I got another one, D-----n which also has cod liver oil. It took a while to clear up the rash but it worked and the cream itself makes a good deodorant.

Replied By Mama To Many (Tn) on 08/03/2017

Dear Dallas,

Thanks for giving an update! It is always helpful to know what works for others. Glad you found something that worked for you.

~Mama to Many~

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