Does deodorant cause kidney disease?
This fear likely originates from the warning label the FDA requires all deodorants to carry: “Ask your doctor before use if you have kidney disease.” So is this myth among the misconceptions about deodorant?
Well, The FDA requires the warning label because, historically, aluminum in large doses is unhealthy for people whose kidneys are functioning at 30% or less. Many decades ago, people who were on dialysis were given a drug possessing aluminum.
Their kidneys couldn’t process the high doses. And the metal stockpiled in their bodies, ultimately leading to an increased risk for dementia. But let’s be clear: These patients were swallowing A LOT of aluminum.
Daily use of antiperspirant involves a significantly lower quantity, and very little of that is absorbed through your skin, let alone reach your kidneys.
“Unless you eat your deodorant stick or spray it into your mouth, your body won’t absorb that much aluminum,” according to nephrologists.
