December, But Make It Armpit-Aware: A 24-Day Notice-athon
Photo: Carnaval.com Studios from The Inner Mission San Francisco, Earth, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
December is a month with a lot on. There's the office Secret Santa, the fridge that smells of cheese and goodwill, and the annual argument about whether Die Hard is a Christmas film. Somewhere between all that, your underarms are quietly doing their thing. This advent is a nudge to notice them — not a festive fear campaign.
Here's the deal: one tiny pit check a day. No full-body mirror interrogation. No prodding yourself like you're testing an avocado. Just a small, curious moment. Checking is a habit, not a Christmas panic. If something worries you, you don't need to wait for day 24 to speak to a GP.
How to use this advent
Pick a time that already happens: after a shower, before deodorant, while the kettle boils. Use the flat of your fingers, not a claw. Look at both sides. Notice what's normal for you. Some days the prompt is serious; some days it's gloriously silly. That's the point.
Week one: days 1 to 6
- Day 1: The first look. In the mirror, arms up. Notice colour, texture, any new marks. Don't diagnose; just notice.
- Day 2: The flat-finger feel. Gently sweep the pad of your fingers across each armpit. Not a deep rummage. You're getting to know the terrain.
- Day 3: The both-sides check. Compare left and right. Bodies are not symmetrical, but a new one-sided change is worth remembering.
- Day 4: The itch audit. Itchy? Could be sweat, product, fabric or dry skin. If it's persistent or comes with a rash, ask a pharmacist or GP.
- Day 5: The razor review. Look for red bumps or ingrown hairs after shaving. Skip shaving over angry skin for a few days.
- Day 6: The deodorant detective. Does a product sting? Note it. You don't have to win a loyalty badge to a deodorant that irritates you.
Week two: days 7 to 12
- Day 7: The sweat pattern. Notice if sweating has changed a lot for no obvious reason. Heat, stress, hormones and medicines all matter. Sudden big changes are worth a chat.
- Day 8: The hair direction. Ingrown hairs often happen when hair curls back. Notice recurring spots in the same place.
- Day 9: The fabric friction. Tight seams and scratchy labels can cause irritation. A soft cotton layer is not glamorous, but it is loyal.
- Day 10: The lump that lingers. If you feel a lump, note where and when you found it. Most lumps are not sinister, but one that persists for a couple of weeks should be checked.
- Day 11: The skin fold. Check the crease where your arm meets your body. Moisture can gather there. Dry gently.
- Day 12: The product expiry. Old deodorant, old razor, old sponge? Bin what's past its best. Your pits are not a museum.
Week three: days 13 to 18
- Day 13: The shave-free day. Give your underarms a day off from razors. Notice if irritation settles.
- Day 14: The different light. Check in daylight, not just the bathroom bulb that makes everyone look like a Victorian ghost.
- Day 15: The nail check. Keep nails short and clean if you're feeling your pits. You're checking, not excavating.
- Day 16: The pain check. Painful lump, spreading redness, warmth, fever or pus? Don't squeeze. Contact a GP or NHS 111 if you're worried and your surgery is closed.
- Day 17: The moisturiser moment. Dry, flaky skin can be normal, but persistent scaling or cracking deserves a look. A simple unscented moisturiser may help mild dryness.
- Day 18: The rest day. No checking today. Body-positive checking is not a compulsion. Rest is part of the habit.
Week four: days 19 to 24
- Day 19: The photo note. If you're monitoring a spot, a dated photo can help you remember. Don't take 47; one is fine.
- Day 20: The friendly ask. If you live with someone, ask them to remind you to book a GP if you keep saying you will. Accountability, but make it gentle.
- Day 21: The product swap. If a deodorant or antiperspirant is causing stinging, try a simpler fragrance-free option. Patch test if you're sensitive.
- Day 22: The GP booking. If something has been there for two weeks or more, or is changing, book. You are not wasting anyone's time.
- Day 23: The body-positive pause. Thank your pits for doing a job. Sweat is not a moral failing; it is a cooling system.
- Day 24: The festive finish. Look, feel, notice — same as day one. The goal isn't a perfect pair of pits. It's knowing what's normal for you.
When to contact a GP (without turning it into a crisis)
Most underarm changes are harmless, but some need a proper look. Book a GP appointment if you notice a new lump that lasts two weeks or more, a lump that feels hard or fixed, skin dimpling, bleeding or discharge, spreading redness, fever, or a change that is clearly getting worse. If you're worried and your surgery is closed, NHS 111 can advise. A pharmacist can help with minor irritation and product reactions.
The bit where we say the obvious
This isn't medical advice. It's a nudge. Checking once a month is plenty for most people, and a 24-day advent is a bit of a gimmick — but the habit is real. December is busy. Your pits are not asking for a performance review. They're asking for a bit of attention, a decent razor, and maybe a softer deodorant. Talk pits. Check pits. Love pits.
