From what I have learned there is a strong connection between anti perspirant deodorants and breast cancer. Directly under the skin of the underarm, we have lymph nodes which are a part of the immune system fighting infections, diseases and removing foreign particles and toxins. These nodes accumulate "dirt" through the blood stream which is then secreted with the perspiration. If we stop the perspiration the nodes swell and toxins stay in our body for a longer time and at a greater concentration. We absorb and store deodorant chemicals applied to the skin. In a recent study 18 of 20 breast tumors contained parabens (synthetic preservatives) found in underarm products. Parabens mimic estrogen, and estrogen can drive tumor growth. Source: Journal of Applied Toxicology, February, 2004 I found also more material at lovlis.com regarding natural deodorants and also regarding organic creams and shampoos and really have to check again my way of living The FDA which authorizes selling of cosmetics and drugs in USA classifies antiperspirant as a drug, since this product changes a natural body act (blocks perspiration from the underarm). While a deodorant which only fight the odor of perspiration but does not block it is classified as cosmetic. The FDA says in an interview to CBS news on 05/12/05 that it is aware of the concern that using antiperspirant together with shaving the underarm is connected to the increase of the risk of breast cancer. The underarm area is a main gate of perspiration. The perspiration process is a part of our body's immune system. The chemicals from deodorants and antiperspirants stay in the underarm area for a long time during the day and might penetrate the thin skin layer (exactly like the stickers sold in order to make our body temperature lower), mix with the blood stream and so reach every place in our body.

I wonder if, like me, you have a very acidic body chemistry. Actually I do not perspire - ever - but of course there is the secondary "sweat" that does not feel wet. Due to my acid levels, I have to change anti-perspirants frequently as they all begin to smell like rancid baby powder. Also I always buy one that is unscented - which is getting increasingly harder to find. Fresh Sugar isn't bad, but is expensive. I just bought a Secret gel "Clean & Clear" or something, but haven't tried it yet. Funny though, even though the Fresh Sugar is expensive - especially in Canada, one bottle will last as long as six Secret Gels - gels go fast. I do not wear perfume of any king - end up smelling like bathroom cleaner. Actually a taxi driver complimented me on my perfume - I had just used a Clorex clean-up wipe! I think you may just have to keep switching. Many people swear by old favourite to some Elizabeth Arden's Blue Grass - even men wear it to the gym. It is scented of course - but apparently is company's biggest seller. It costs $12 in Canada, so must be cheaper in US - maybe worth a shot.

Hi, found this thread during research as I began to notice perspiration odors were not coming out of high-tech sports clothing - a typical problem as those fabrics have a long-standing reputation for retaining sweat odors. Some of the clothing was given to me, perhaps because the original owner couldn't deal with the problem, so I inherited the smell. But two shirts have been mine since new and I guess I let them get sweaty recently. So thanks to OP for bringing up the topic and for all the helpful answers. I've long been a fan of natural fibers, but being an active outdoor hiker and backpacker, have finally started using the polyester etc. high tech clothing. Many may not realize that for extreme winter snow sports, we avoid cotton, even as undies. It is called "death cloth" because it absorbs moisture and then loses its insulation value and can even freeze. Thus the move to fabrics that wick moisture away from the body and do not retain it. (And those are just the ones that get stinky.) I used a baking soda mash on the pits, then washed all the shirts normally. That did not work. So next I put them in the front-load washer in hot water with about a third of a cup of Oxiclean dissolved in it - a strong solution - and let them sit overnight before washing. Now no pit odor. Could've been just the Oxiclean that was successful or perhaps the action of the combo. Meanwhile I realize that prevention is the best idea so am rethinking my antiperspirant/deodorant, which for years has been unscented Mitchum roll-on. For some reason it is not quite as effective as it used to be, so I will acquire both Certain Dri and the Secret Clinical Strength to alternate with the Mitchum. I realize that I need to be careful to use both an antiperspirant AND a deodorant since I can't shower daily during the winter due to extremely dry skin. (Itching prevents sleep even after the application of lotion, usually Walmart's version of Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion!) Again, thanks.

Both of my teenage sons have had this problem. One discovered, finally, after several years, that it was from an ADD medication he was on. The doctor switched it, and he has been much better. So if she is on any sort of medications, check the side effects. My other DS is not on medications and tried everything -- the prescription antiperspirant not only didn't work well for him, but it caused irritation that never got better and created a bit of havoc because he has a hyperpigmentation problem so he ended up with huge dark marks under his arms. They did go away eventually. Then he tried botox (approved by our insurance, administered by a dermatologist). I think it's 20-25 shots under each arm? Not too pleasant. And it worked for maybe 4 months (they estimated 6 months) and he doesn't want to go through it again. So now he just wears white shirts almost exclusively because the stains show less on white fabric. He also likes sweater weather! Such a bummer but I am hoping he outgrows it -- he is still a teenager and going through hormonal upheavals! I had a pretty good sweating problem in high school too, but outgrew it, fortunately. I also became a big fan of the White Shirt. There are several different brands of "clinical strength" deoderants now in drugstores -- maybe one of them would work?