Thread: Do any of you get a heat rash after shaving?

I started to post this in the Ladies Forum but then I thought this might happen to guys too on their necks. In the hottest part of the year I often get a nasty heat rash under my arms when I shave there. It's not a red razor burn kind of rash. It's lots of tiny little white bumps that pop up right after I shave and then the area gets really tender and red. The hotter the day the worse the rash. Going sleeveless helps some but then people can see it and that's embarrassing because it looks awful. If I use baby powder or corn starch after the bumps come up that just makes it worse like I'm dusting the area with sand. Is there anything I can do pre- or post-shave that will prevent the bumps from coming up at all?

Lori

Could you inform us of your current pre/postshave routine?

Well, last time it was that hot I was still using shave gel and cartridges but the rest of the routine is the same. I take a shower or hot bath to prepare the skin to be shaved and also to make sure the skin is clean. Then I apply the lather and shave. After that I am careful to rinse all the shaved area to make sure all the soap and lather are gone and then I towel dry. I wait as long as possible (at least several minutes) to make sure my underarms are dry and the pores are closed before I apply an antiperspirant. Antiperspirants can be irritants to freshly shaved skin. If need be I apply body lotion to my legs but I seldom do that to my underarms. It leaves too much moisture to my underarms and that is especially bad when it's hot outside.

Lori

One thing that has helped me on my lower neck area is to use an ice cube. After you rinse rub the ice cube over the shaved area. Works pretty good for me.

Have you tried witch hazel? I used to get really bad heat rash on my legs and that helped a good bit.

I'm not familiar with those kinds of bumps especially, but after-shave bumps reads like minor/minute infections in nicks and cuts to me. A possible solution would be not going for full BBS, as this has less impact on the skin. Mow the lawn in stead of going for a full deweeding, so to speak. Also, I'll add that I'm a firm believer in the cleansing properties of alcohol. I would follow up with a good moisturizing cream or lotion. Best of luck.

OUCH!!!
Maybe try applying some mineral oil before shaving for a pre-shave lubricant; there are no perfumes or other ingredients that could cause irritation. Have you tried some witch hazel after shaving? It doesn't sting or burn, I use it after my shaves and it does settle down the skin. Are you patting dry vice wipe/rubbing dry? That makes a big difference.

I'll ask my wife about it too.
The only other thought I have is see a dermatologist about it.

Let us know how you make out.

My wife had this issue & she tried my trick: Proraso in the green tub, rinse well with washcloth or water if you are shaving in the tub/shower, rub wet alum block over entire area, blow dry, then apply deodorant. If that doesn't do it, maybe try another brand of deo...best of luck as it sounds like misery!

For 2-3 months out of the year we have 90F+ temps (occassionally 100+) and high humidity. I think it's that combination of conditions that aggravates any skin irritation especially from shaving. Sometimes bug bites are murder too. Calamine lotion washes right off as I sweat and makes a big mess. The rest of the year I have no problems following a shave and even the bug bites aren't as brutal.

I'll try some of these suggestions. I've used witch hazel in the past but it seemed to make it worse. I checked the bottle today though and found out my old bottle of witch hazel is 14% alcohol! I think I'll try to grab a bottle of Thayers next time I go by a GNC store. I hear they make a type that is alcohol free and has aloe in it.

Thanks folks!

Lori

Is it possible that you're having an allergic reaction to some soap or cream that you may be using? You might have to experiment with some different products.