Go with a soft-solid, roll-on product for your underarms. For your hands, feet, legs and other areas of your body choose an aerosol antiperspirant.
Antiperspirants that contain aluminum chloride are the most effective products. [3] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
Don’t apply antiperspirant too much. Sometimes, your body needs to sweat. Avoid using antiperspirant before bed.
Applying an antiperspirant to wet skin can cause irritation.
There are also antiperspirant wipes available, which you might find more convenient to use than an aerosol. Test an antiperspirant before using it on your hairline or any other area of sensitive skin. Apply it to a small patch of skin and make sure you don’t experience any redness or stinging. If you do, avoid using the product on sensitive areas.
Washing with soap after a workout or other rigorous activities is especially important. Washing away sweat and bacteria after exercising can also help control acne. [8] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Dermatology Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists Go to source While bathing daily is good, try to keep showers short. Long, hot showers can dry out your skin and cause acne or irritation.
You could also try brewing strong black tea, which contains tannic acid. Soak a washcloth in the tea or apply the tea bags directly to your skin. Clinical strength antiperspirants can cause irritation or worsen eczema and atopic dermatitis, but tannic acid can help minimize these effects. [10] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
Additionally, onions and garlic can make your sweat smell unpleasant.
Keep in mind caffeine is also found in chocolate, so you might need to cut back on sweet treats, too.
Try doing relaxation techniques before and during stressful situations, like public speaking or going to the dentist.
For instance, if you added hot sauce to your lunch and started sweating excessively, make a note. Write down if you start sweating after drinking a glass of wine, or if talking to your crush sends your sweat glands into overdrive. Tracking specific triggers will help you know what to avoid in order to prevent excessive sweating. Try to shave your whole body whenever you can.
Sweat stains show up most visibly on gray clothing, so try to avoid that color.
If necessary, swap out sweaty socks for a fresh pair 2 or 3 times a day. Pack extra clothes in a backpack or compact travel bag. You could also keep extra clothes in your car or in your office at work.
Moisture-wicking apparel can be pricey. Cotton undergarments are more affordable and can absorb sweat, but they’re not as effective as specialty performance apparel.
Remember to dry your hands well with a towel or blow dryer before applying antiperspirant. If your hands are often clammy, avoid using thick, oily lotions that contain petroleum jelly.
Additionally, wear sandals or go barefoot whenever possible so your feet can breathe. You could also purchase moisture-wicking athletic socks.
You should also carry blotting wipes to soak up sweat without ruining your makeup. Coffee filters also work well in a pinch. [20] X Research source Before applying makeup, you can also spray your hairline with an aerosol antiperspirant. Be sure to test it on a small area of skin first to avoid irritation. [21] X Research source
You might have a condition called hyperhidrosis, or overactive sweat glands. Your sweating could also be related to another underlying medical condition. Your primary doctor might refer you to a dermatologist, or a skin specialist. Sweating along with difficulty breathing, chest pain, or pain in your arms, neck, or jaws could be a medical emergency. Get immediate help if you experience these symptoms. [23] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source
Prescription antiperspirants and drying creams are typically the first step in medical treatment. Your doctor might prescribe an oral medication if these aren’t effective. Oral anticholinergic medications are systemic, which means they cause a drying effect throughout your body. They can suppress your sweat glands, but they can also cause dry mouth and dry eyes.
A typical regimen consists of several 30-minute sessions per week. You’ll feel a tingling sensation during the procedure; tingling could persist for a few hours after treatment. Side effects are rare, but may include skin irritation, dryness, and blistering. [27] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source
Side effects include pain at the injection site and flu-like symptoms. When injected into the palms, Botox can cause temporary weakness and pain. [29] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source
Destroying sweat glands in the underarms doesn’t affect the body’s ability to control its temperature. Only 2% of your sweat glands are located in your underarm areas. You won’t feel any pain or discomfort during the procedure, but you could experience redness, swelling, and tenderness for several days. You might feel numbness or tingling in the treated areas for up to 5 weeks after undergoing microwave thermolysis.
If necessary, they might also recommend medication for an anxiety or panic attack disorder.
Local underarm surgery is performed under local anesthesia in a dermatologist’s office. Your doctor will use liposuction, excision (cutting with scalpel or scraper), or lasers to remove the sweat glands. Recovery usually takes 2 days, although you’ll need to limit arm activity for about a week. A sympathectomy involves removing the nerve that tells the body to sweat excessively. In a related procedure, called a sympathectomy, the nerve is cut instead of removed. These procedures can relieve excessive underarm or hand sweating, but they can also cause heat intolerance, irregular heartbeat, and compulsory sweating, or increased sweating in other parts of the body. [32] X Trustworthy Source Johns Hopkins Medicine Official resource database of the world-leading Johns Hopkins Hospital Go to source If your condition requires surgery, your dermatologist will help you decide which option is right for you.
