How To Treat Baking Soda Burn
Baking soda burn has become an unexpected and painful reality for a heck of a lot of people who are simply trying to live a greener life.
Misinformation about commonly used deodorant ingredients continues to flourish, causing many to seek alternative solutions.
Unfortunately, a great number of these 'greener deodorant solutions' involve applying a chemical compound more commonly known as baking soda to the delicate skin of the armpits, and it's causing a wide range of unfortunate reactions.
In Theory, it Sounds Like a Good Idea to Use Baking Soda as a Deodorant
The logic of reaching for baking soda is understandable: it is easily obtainable at any supermarket and great for for many household uses: cleaning, spot removal, etc.How could it possibly be harmful?
What folks are overseeing in their otherwise admirable quest to go green: baking soda (or sodium bicarbonate) is a chemical compound that is not made for prolonged skin contact.
What Happens With Prolonged Skin Contact to Baking Soda
Reactions from using baking soda deodorant can be- discoloration (reddish, brownish or general darkening) of the skin
- thickening, leathery skin
- slight rash
- heavy, itchy rash
- rash with painful pustules
Damage done, now what?
Because so many of you have asked, I've put together a few tips for dealing with the discomfort of baking soda burn to help get your pits back on track as quickly as possible.
How to Treat Baking Soda Burn
Contrary to what you might have read or heard, you are not detoxing.Your uncomfortable skin reaction is due to exposure to a chemical that isn't made for prolonged skin contact.
First thing to do is put the baking soda deodorant away. When your pits are happy and healed you can consider whether or not you want to continue using it.
Depending on how bad your reaction is, consider seeing a doctor. This may sound like overkill, but some folks have had very serious reactions that needed immediate medical attention.
If you are in even the teensiest bit of doubt – get your doctor to look at your pits.
If your skin has become thick, leathery and/or discolored but is otherwise pain-free, you can probably self treat with one or more of these methods
- Apply cool compress
- Apply pure aloe vera to the affected area
- Mist aloe vera juice on the affected area
- Wash the area gently with a colloidal oat solution
- Apply pure coconut oil to the affected area
- While your pits are healing, apply an acidic ingredient such as fresh lemon or apple cider vinegar (only to unbroken skin!)
I wish you a speedy recovery and happy pits!
Make Your Own Botanical Deodorants
If you are interested in learning how to make your own effective botanical deodorants and other personal care products with simple, easy-to-source ingredients, feel free to visit my shop and read more about this complete guide to making natural, preservative-free cosmetics.
Do Tell
Do you have an additional tip to share on healing baking soda burn? Please share in a comment below.
More about Deodorant on This Blog
Why Your skin is reacting to baking soda deodorantDeodorant FAQ
Potassium Alum: Aluminium or not?
Is your deodorant dangerous? Probably not.
How to make your own deodorant without baking soda
Comments
BTW, on the topic of baking-soda, years ago, I also had tried the misguided baking-soda deodorant advice, but I stopped upon feeling itchy. I've learned to listen to my body, after many sad experiences listening to authorities at either end of spectrum. For example, I stopped doctor's creams for poison ivy when those creams made me burn, replacing them with simple Calamine & Aveeno-anti-itch on most of my body. However, on the =worst= Ivy-Burns I used Calamine+WoundHoney. Also took a few Tepid mild bleach baths, minimizing the bleach due to stinging. And also kept gently applying some Dark-Brown/oily soap (not naphtha) which had probably been in this house since the 1960s. I've no idea what soap it was, but it was shiny/and/tacky and with its own smell (i.e. no additives).
....(btw, even the whites of my eyes get pink).
I've a hunch that many conditions are ONLY SECONDARILY GENETIC, despite the hype about genetics. For example, it could be that the minority of people who DO NOT NEED GLASSES for distance viewing when they're young - may be predisposed to macular.degeneration for exactly that reason.
In explanation:
Glasses (and contacts) tend to protect the eyes from cold wind.
So...
Imagine that hypothetically EVERYONE would wear glasses or contact-lenses, starting from when they're young. Not necessarily magnifying ones, BUT RATHER protective ones.
That would be the true acid-test of whether macular degeneration is TRULY genetic, or rather due to LACK OF PROTECTION.
Now do you see how much is subject to hype? The vast majority of doctors are so superfically arrogant - thinking they know it all - instead of deeply taking in the whole picture. It's they who have been perpetuating a failed system for the past century, refusing to acknowledge QXCI & other such quantum physics diagnostics. Leaving us victims to try as best we can to fend for ourselves. My feelings toward them can only be described as cold fury.
The PH of baking soda is very strong... that means it will dry out your skin(dehydration) and will eliminate odor.
If you are looking for a good natural deodorant, you will have to make sure your recipe will have a good source of moisturizer, such as, Cocoa Butter or Mango Butter or others that you might like it better.
Also remember: Aloe Vera is great for Hydration.
I do homecare products as well.
My armpits got really bad burned when I first started my trials. Now I got just the perfect match for my those problems.
My homemade recipe has Baking Soda and the results are great.
No rash, no itch, and no pain.
@Giovana - It sounds like you have done all the necessary trials and testing to make your own perfect deodorant solution. Good for you! A lot of people might have given up. I wish you forever happy pits!
Just as the baking soda is leaving an imbalance on the ourside. Your tears may be imbalanced caused by conditions on the inside. When my tears burn I try to drink more water and it clears up. I drink distilled water. I know their is a lot of info pro and con about distilled. .but hey.. nature makes it everyday with the intention of us drinking it. .
Definitely recommend aloe vera.
Pharmacy product:
Hydrocortisone.
Redness is a sign of inflammation.
Try using zinc oxide and a tiny be of baking soda.
I can send one sample to u...so u can try.
Due to so many trials, I became super sensitive with baking soda... But zinc oxide gave me a great result. Its not harm for the skin, but will be 95%organic product, since zinc oxide is not naturalistic...but has no harm for human body.
You are correct in that baking soda is in all likelihood causing the problem. I wish I could tell you that the problem will forever be gone if you just 'tough it through', but continuing to use the baking soda deodorant is probably the worst thing you could do. Some people are more sensitive than others and if you have a problem with it now, it is not likely to go away with time - it could even get worse. I wish I had better news for you, but I figured you'd probably rather have a straight answer. :)
Nicki
I would apply an aloe vera gel and let it sit. You have to be sure it is only the gel that you use. Best of luck with it!
but my skin literally improved 0% with it. Also the doctor said he never heard of people using baking soda for the skin and he said it has nothing to do with the baking soda but with my testosterone.(he also said other really disturbing things I better keep for myself). This makes no sense at all in my eyes since I always had a very clear and never red skin my whole life...using baking soda was clearly the reason for the redness and mandarine skin...this was the second doctor I visited and the first one just said he can't help me ( I'm from Germany and both Doctors had a Onlinerating of about 1,0 to 1,3 in school grades....which means they should be really good, my experience was clearly different)
So now I still dont know how I can "repair" my skin after using baking soda, I know it was a huge mistake but really need to heal it since also my income is based on it and I can't afford to not have any income as a student....is there anybody who has got experience with this problem or could help me out? It would really mean the world to me :/
thank you
My guess is you are having a reaction to the baking soda. Some get 'leathery skin', some experience discolorations that are both pain-free or completely painless. Try leaving all deodorant on the shelf for a few days and use a simple spritz of aloe vera on your pits to help rebalance the skin. I'd love to hear how it goes,
I’m in desperate need of help, and I’m so glad I’ve stumbled across this blog. Yesterday I ran out of deodorant, and I decided to use the baking soda and water paste. I noticed it started burning a little bit after I applied it, but I ignored it. After 2 or 3 minutes something didn’t feel right so I got a rag and started to wipe it off, but it wasn’t that effective so I decided to just get in the shower and rise it under warm water. As of right now it’s discolored and just a little bit itchy.
Will cocoa butter work as well as the other things you’ve listed? When can I start using deodorant again?
Thank You!
Anne