Do you avoid shaking hands because your palms are always wet? Are your socks and shoes always smelly and wet? Are you embarrassed by sweat stains on your clothes? If this problem has happened to you, know that you are not alone. Fortunately, there are various ways you can do to prevent excessive sweating so it doesn't damage your confidence and disrupt your life.
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Method 1 of 4: Using Antiperspirant
Step 1. Use antiperspirant, not deodorant
Check the product packaging when you buy it, and make sure you are buying antiperspirant, not just deodorant. Deodorant can hide body odor, but it can't prevent excessive sweating.
Use a roll-on product that is dense and gentle on the underarms. For feet, hands, and other areas of the body, use an aerosol antiperspirant
Step 2. Look for formulas labeled "clinical strength"
Clinically-strength antiperspirants are more expensive, but they are more effective at preventing sweating. Most antiperspirant deodorants offer clinical strength formulas. You can buy them at pharmacies or stores that sell health products.
The most effective products are antiperspirants containing aluminum chloride
Step 3. Use an antiperspirant in the morning
For best results, use an antiperspirant once a day. Apply the antiperspirant on the skin and underarms evenly with a thin layer. After that, gently massage the skin so that the antiperspirant works more effectively.
Do not overuse antiperspirants. The body sometimes still needs to sweat. Do not use antiperspirants before bed
Step 4. Apply antiperspirant when the skin is dry
If you've just showered or your armpits are full of sweat, dry yourself and your armpits with a towel. You can also dry your underarms using a hairdryer set to cool.
Applying antiperspirant to wet skin can cause irritation
Step 5. Apply an aerosol antiperspirant on areas of the body other than the armpits
If your feet are sweaty, spray the soles and between the toes to keep the socks from getting wet and sweaty. If your face and head are sweating profusely, spray an aerosol antiperspirant along the hairline.
- You can also use antiperspirant wipes, which may be more convenient than aerosols.
- Test an antiperspirant before you apply it to hairlines or other sensitive areas of skin. Apply it on a small area of the skin and wait to see if the skin becomes red or stings. If so, do not use the product on sensitive areas.
Method 2 of 4: Using Home Solutions
Step 1. Take a shower every day and live a clean and healthy life
By bathing every day, you can get rid of the bacteria that live on the skin. These bacteria are the cause of body odor associated with excessive sweating. So, you can avoid the smell of sweat by reducing the number of bacteria.
- It is very important to take a shower with soap after you exercise or do any strenuous activity. By washing away sweat and bacteria after a workout, you can also prevent breakouts.
- While bathing every day is a good thing, don't stay in the shower for too long. Bathing in warm water for a long time can make the skin dry, breakout, and irritated.
Step 2. Apply a product containing tannic acid to the sweaty area
You can buy astringent skin care products that contain tannic acid at pharmacies or drug stores. Apply this product thinly on areas of the body that sweat excessively, such as the armpits or feet. Read the directions on the package, and use it as directed.
- Try brewing strong black tea, which contains tannic acid. Dip a washcloth in the tea or place the tea bag directly on the skin.
- Clinically potent antiperspirants can irritate or worsen eczema and atopic dermatitis, but tannic acid can minimize these negative effects.
Step 3. Avoid spicy food
Hot sauces, chilies, and other spicy foods can trigger sweating so you should avoid them. If you start to sweat when you eat spicy food, avoid these foods, especially when you leave the house.
Onions and garlic can make sweat smell bad
Step 4. Reduce consumption of caffeinated and alcoholic beverages
Pay attention to whether you tend to sweat more when you drink coffee or caffeinated tea, or alcoholic beverages. If necessary, avoid the drink, especially when you go out in public.
Remember, caffeine is also in chocolate. So, you may also want to cut back on sugary snacks
Step 5. Try relaxation techniques if sweating is caused by stress
When you feel sad or stressed, inhale deeply for a count of 4, hold your breath for a count of 4, then exhale slowly for a count of 8. When doing this breathing technique, imagine that you are in a comfortable environment, such as your favorite place as a child.
Try relaxation techniques before and during stressful situations, such as when speaking in public or at the dentist's office
Step 6. Observe sweat triggers
Try taking notes to keep track of what makes you sweat. Always carry a small book with you or take notes on your phone.
- For example, if you start to sweat profusely when you add hot sauce to your food, take note of this. Take note of when you start to sweat after drinking a glass of wine, or if you sweat profusely when you talk to someone you like.
- By noting specific sweat triggers, you can figure out what to avoid to prevent excessive sweating.
Method 3 of 4: Dealing with Social Situations That Cause Sweating
Step 1. Wear light clothing that can provide good air circulation
Choose clothes made of natural fibers with loose weave, such as cotton or linen. Light colored clothes can also keep the body cool because they don't absorb as much heat and light as dark clothes.
Sweat stains will be clearly visible on gray clothes. So, avoid this color
Step 2. Bring a spare change of clothes and socks
Bring a spare shirt, trousers, or skirt that you can wear to change out of sweat-soaked clothes. Before changing clothes, wipe off any remaining sweat using a handkerchief or cloth. Also bring spare socks in case your feet sweat a lot.
- If necessary, replace sweat-soaked socks with new ones 2 or 3 times a day.
- Put spare clothes in a backpack or small travel bag. You can also keep spare clothes in your car or office while you work.
Step 3. Purchase moisture repellent clothing
These clothes are made of fabrics specially designed to absorb and wick sweat away. Wear moisture-repellent t-shirts and underwear to prevent sweat stains from sticking to the outer garment.
These clothes can be expensive. Cotton underwear is cheaper and absorbs sweat, but is not as effective as clothing designed to wick moisture away
Step 4. Treat sweaty hands with an antiperspirant or sweat-absorbent powder
If your hands sweat a lot, try spraying them with an aerosol antiperspirant in the morning and before bed. You can also keep your hands dry by scrubbing them with baby powder, cornstarch, or baking soda as needed.
- Don't forget to dry your hands with a towel or hand dryer before you apply the antiperspirant.
- If your hands are often wet, do not use thick and oily lotions that contain petrolatum (petroleum jelly).
Step 5. Wear breathable shoes if your feet are sweaty
Shoes made of leather or other natural materials are good choices. When buying sports shoes, look for options that have a few small holes because they allow good airflow.
- Also, if possible you can go barefoot or wear sandals so your feet can breathe.
- You can also purchase moisture-wicking athletic socks.
Step 6. Use a setting spray or powder to prevent makeup from smudging
If your face and head are sweating profusely which could ruin your makeup, apply a primer before you apply foundation, blush, and eye makeup. When you're done with your makeup, finish with a spray or setting powder to keep your makeup from smudging.
- Always carry cleansing wipes with you to absorb sweat without ruining your makeup. In an emergency situation, you can also use a coffee filter.
- Before applying makeup, you can also spray an aerosol antiperspirant on the hairline. Make sure you test it on a small area of skin first to avoid irritation.
Method 4 of 4: Consult a Doctor
Step 1. Consult a doctor if sweat has interfered with your daily activities
See a doctor if you find yourself reluctant to attend social events or feel that sweating is interfering with your emotional well-being. You should also consult your doctor if excessive sweating occurs suddenly or unexplained, is accompanied by weight loss, or occurs only at night.
- Maybe you have a condition called hyperhidrosis (overactive sweat glands). Profuse sweating can also be associated with other underlying medical conditions.
- Your doctor may advise you to go to a dermatologist or skin specialist.
- Profuse sweating accompanied by difficulty breathing, chest pain, or pain in the neck, arms, or jaw is an emergency that requires medical attention. Seek medical help immediately if you suffer from these symptoms.
Step 2. Discuss any medications you are taking with your doctor
Many prescription medications can cause sweating as a side effect. Ask your doctor if the medications you take regularly make you sweat a lot. If necessary, ask your doctor to give you a substitute medicine with less side effects.
Step 3. Ask your doctor for prescription medication
Your doctor may prescribe a strong antiperspirant, a drying cream, or an anticholinergic medication. Take any medication your doctor prescribes, and don't stop using it without getting your doctor's approval.
- Doctor-prescribed antiperspirants and drying creams are usually given as the first step in medical treatment. If both are ineffective, the doctor will prescribe oral medication.
- Oral anticholinergic drugs are systemic and can cause a drying effect throughout the body. In addition to suppressing the sweat glands, this drug can also make the mouth and eyes dry.
Step 4. Use an iontophoresis machine to treat excessive sweating of the feet and hands
Your doctor may suggest that you use an electric iontophoresis machine at home, or undergo treatment at their clinic. This procedure involves passing a small electric current through water to numb the sweat glands.
- This procedure is usually done on a weekly basis for 30 minutes in each session.
- During this procedure, you will feel tingling. This tingling sensation can last for several hours after treatment. Some of the side effects you may experience are irritated, dry, and blistered skin. However, this is very rare.
Step 5. Talk to your doctor about botox injections
Botox can temporarily paralyze sweat glands for 7-19 months per injection. Botox is used for severe cases of sweating, and can be injected in the armpits, hands, face, or feet.
Some of the side effects that can occur are pain at the injection site and flu-like symptoms. If injected into the palm of the hand, Botox can make the hand weak and painful for a while
Step 6. Try microwave thermolysis
These devices are placed in the armpits or other sweaty areas that have a protective layer of fat. This device will channel controlled electromagnetic energy to destroy the sweat glands in the treated area. Usually the doctor will advise you to undergo two treatments within 3 months.
- The destruction of the sweat glands in the armpits does not affect the body's ability to control temperature. Of all the sweat glands in the body, the armpit area only has about 2% sweat glands.
- There is no pain or discomfort during this procedure, but your skin will be red, swollen, and tender for a few days. You may feel tingling or numbness in the treated area for up to 5 weeks after having microwave thermolysis.
Step 7. Consult a counselor if excessive sweating is triggered by anxiety
If excessive sweating is caused by anxiety, you can treat it by undergoing cognitive behavioral therapy or psychotherapy. A counselor or therapist can suggest relaxation techniques, and teach you how to identify and shift thought patterns that can trigger excessive sweating.
If necessary, the counselor may also suggest medication for anxiety or panic attack disorder
Step 8. Have surgery as a last resort
Surgery to treat excessive sweating is rarely performed and is only recommended in extreme circumstances when all other treatment options have failed. There are two surgical procedures used to treat hyperhidrosis:
- Armpit surgery is performed under local anesthesia at a dermatologist's clinic. Doctors can use liposuction, excision (make an incision using a scalpel or scraper), or laser to remove sweat glands. The recovery period takes two days, but you should limit arm activity to about 1 week.
- Sympathectomy is done by removing the nerves that make the body sweat excessively. In a related procedure (called a sympathotomy), the nerves are simply cut, not removed. Both of these procedures can reduce excessive sweating in the armpits or hands. However, this procedure can also cause a person to become heat resistant, have an irregular heartbeat, always sweat, or experience increased sweating in other parts of the body.
- If you do need surgery, a dermatologist will help determine the best option for you.
Tips
- If you want to stay active but avoid sweating a lot, try swimming. The water will wick away the sweat, and you can stay active.
- If you are overweight or obese, try to lose weight so that your body can cool itself more easily. This can prevent you from sweating a lot.
- Excessive sweating can lead to dehydration. Make sure you drink at least 8 glasses of water every day.
- Some people are afraid to use antiperspirants because of the high risk associated with Alzheimer's disease and breast cancer. There is no scientific evidence linking antiperspirants to this or any other disease.
- Try to stay relaxed and calm if your excessive sweating is caused by stress and anxiety.
