How to Avoid Sweating Too Much

Start with a soft solid formula for armpit sweat., Look for a formula labeled "clinical strength.", Put on antiperspirant once in the morning and once before bedtime., Apply antiperspirant to dry skin only., Use antiperspirants on other parts of...

29 Steps 6 min read Advanced

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Step 1: Start with a soft solid formula for armpit sweat.

    Check the label to make sure that you're using an antiperspirant and not just a deodorant.

    Deodorant will mask smelly armpits, but it won't attack the excessive sweating.
  2. Step 2: Look for a formula labeled "clinical strength."

    You'll have to pay more for a clinical strength antiperspirant, but these products will be more effective at cutting down on sweat production. , Applying antiperspirant twice a day has been clinically shown to be extremely effective in preventing excessive sweating.

    If you only apply it once a day, apply it before bedtime rather than in the morning.

    Also, try massaging the antiperspirant into your skin. , If your armpits are sweaty or if you've just gotten out of the shower, then dry your armpits with a towel or blow-dry them with a hair dryer set on a cool setting.

    If you apply antiperspirant to wet armpits, you may experience skin irritation. , An aerosol antiperspirant can be a great solution for sweaty feet as long as you're sure to spray not just the soles of your feet but also between your toes.

    If your face sweats a lot, try applying some antiperspirant along your hairline.

    Just test it first before you take it out in public to make sure that the antiperspirant doesn't irritate the skin on your face., Cotton will absorb moisture as will fabrics found in athletic wear that are designed to wick away moisture.

    You can also choose clothes with a loose weave, such as clothes made of linen. , Guys should wear cotton undershirts to absorb excess sweat, while women can wear an absorbent camisole or use sweat absorbing pads. , If you wear white, people are going to notice that you're sweating.

    If you choose dark colors or prints, then your sweat isn't going to show up as much. , Brands like Geox have absorbent insoles and also let moisture out through holes in the soles of the shoes.

    You can also reduce foot sweat by wearing shoes made of leather and other natural materials.Wear sandals or go barefoot when you can so that your feet can breathe. , Bring an extra shirt or blouse that you can change into midday if you have sweaty spots on your outfit.

    Change your outfit in a restroom or in your car, and use a cloth or a handkerchief to wipe away excess sweat before you put on your new top.

    Also, if your feet are sweaty and smelly, bring an extra pair of socks and shoes., Foods like hot peppers can make you sweat more, while onions and garlic can make your sweat smell unpleasant.

    Eat more bland foods throughout the day when you're at work or out in public. , If you're overweight or obese, losing weight will help reduce the amount of sweating that you experience because the heavier you are, the more you'll sweat because it's harder it is to cool down efficiently. , The odor of sweat can be reduced considerably by frequent hygiene practices that are very simple.

    Have a daily bathing routine of either a shower or a bath and in particularly bad cases, consider bathing twice a day.

    Use a deodorant soap that will help to wipe out the bacteria that cause odor.

    When you're out and about, carry baby wipes or similar wipes that you can use underarm and on your body to mop up sweat quickly in the bathroom and feel fresh again.

    Carry an antiperspirant with you at all times for quick touch-ups, especially after physical activity or a stressful experience such as delivering a presentation.

    If you have a permanent workspace, keep a stick of antiperspirant in your desk drawer.

    Just make sure you don't leave your antiperspirant in a hot car where it could melt. , These drinks can cause you to sweat excessively. , Some people believe that sage can soothe the nerve fibers that cause you to produce excessive sweat.

    Try these sage recipes to prevent sweating too much:
    Add 4 tablespoons of sage leaves to 2 cups (500 ml) of boiling water.

    Simmer the sage for 5 minutes, pour the liquid through a mesh sieve to strain it and drink the liquid.

    Combine 5 tablespoons of sage leaves, 1 tablespoon of valerian root and 1 tablespoon of horsetail.

    Pour 1 cup (250 ml) of boiling water over the herbs and bring the liquid to a boil again.

    Filter the leaves out and drink the mixture daily. , Mix equal amounts of eucalyptus leaves, oak bark, walnut leaves, witch hazel leaves and tormentil root.

    Place 5 tablespoons of the mixture into 2 quarts (about 2 L) of water.

    Boil the mixture for 5 minutes and remove it from the heat.

    Add 1 quart (about 1 L) of cool water and bathe your hands and feet with the liquid. , Mix 3 parts sage and walnut leaves with 2 parts stinging nettle and strawberry leaves.

    Add 1 cup (250 ml) of steaming water to the mixture and drink it before bedtime. , Drinking these teas before bed can help you to relax and get some rest, which will reduce your anxiety levels. , Try rose, lavender or orange oil to produce a pleasant smell and hide body odor. , Choose geranium oil, tea tree oil or cypress oil., If you are experiencing drenched clothing, embarrassment or an inability to control odor as a result of sweating, then it's time to speak to your doctor or dermatologist.

    Your health care professional may need to take blood tests to check your thyroid or to look for infections or run other tests according to their professional examination. , Your doctor can prescribe an at-home electric iontophoresis machine, which uses a mild electric current run through water to shut down your sweat glands., Botox can temporarily paralyze sweat glands for 7 to 19 months per injection.

    These are usually given for sweaty underarms but can also be injected on the face, hands or feet., These devices work on the armpits or other sweaty areas that have a layer of protective fat.

    The handheld device delivers controlled electromagnetic energy, and the heat causes the sweat glands to decompose.

    Doctors usually recommend 2 treatments spaced 3 months apart., These drugs are not FDA-approved, but they have a long history of being prescribed for excessive sweating.

    Athletes, people who participate in sports and people who work outdoors should avoid these drugs because they disable the body's sweating mechanism, which would cause difficulty with keeping the body cool., If you're experiencing anxiety triggered sweating, a course of cognitive behavioral therapy or psychotherapy might be just the ticket to relieve such sweating. , You have a couple of options:
    Local underarm surgery.

    This procedure is performed under local anesthesia in a dermatologist's office.

    Your doctor will use liposuction, curettage (scraping) or lasers to destroy the sweat glands.

    Recovery usually takes 2 days, although you'll need to limit arm activity for about a week.

    Unfortunately, health insurance does not always pay for this procedure.

    Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy.

    Surgeons put the patient under general anesthesia and attempt to cut the nerves from the spinal column that stimulate excessive sweating.

    This surgery could have serious side effects, including low blood pressure, heat intolerance and heart arrhythmia, so it's only recommended when all other treatment options have failed. , Examples include acupuncture, biofeedback, hypnosis or relaxation techniques...
  3. Step 3: Put on antiperspirant once in the morning and once before bedtime.

  4. Step 4: Apply antiperspirant to dry skin only.

  5. Step 5: Use antiperspirants on other parts of your body besides your armpits.

  6. Step 6: Choose fabrics that absorb sweat.

  7. Step 7: Wear layers.

  8. Step 8: Select the right colors.

  9. Step 9: Purchase "breathable" shoes for sweaty feet.

  10. Step 10: Bring extra clothing.

  11. Step 11: Skip spicy foods.

  12. Step 12: Lose weight.

  13. Step 13: Be a hygiene nut.

  14. Step 14: Quit drinking caffeinated beverages.

  15. Step 15: Try sage.

  16. Step 16: Wash your hands and feet with an herbal mixture.

  17. Step 17: Use herbs to combat night sweating.

  18. Step 18: Drink tea made from lemon balm

  19. Step 19: peppermint leaves or fennel seeds if you sweat because of anxiety or stress.

  20. Step 20: Add essential oils to your shower or bathwater.

  21. Step 21: Apply a thin layer of oil to your hands and feet.

  22. Step 22: Talk to your doctor or dermatologist first.

  23. Step 23: Try iontophoresis for excessive sweating of the hands and feet.

  24. Step 24: Ask for Botox injections.

  25. Step 25: Use a miraDry machine.

  26. Step 26: Take anti-cholinergic medication.

  27. Step 27: Seek psychological intervention.

  28. Step 28: Undergo surgery as a last resort.

  29. Step 29: Ask your doctor about experimental treatments.

Detailed Guide

Check the label to make sure that you're using an antiperspirant and not just a deodorant.

Deodorant will mask smelly armpits, but it won't attack the excessive sweating.

You'll have to pay more for a clinical strength antiperspirant, but these products will be more effective at cutting down on sweat production. , Applying antiperspirant twice a day has been clinically shown to be extremely effective in preventing excessive sweating.

If you only apply it once a day, apply it before bedtime rather than in the morning.

Also, try massaging the antiperspirant into your skin. , If your armpits are sweaty or if you've just gotten out of the shower, then dry your armpits with a towel or blow-dry them with a hair dryer set on a cool setting.

If you apply antiperspirant to wet armpits, you may experience skin irritation. , An aerosol antiperspirant can be a great solution for sweaty feet as long as you're sure to spray not just the soles of your feet but also between your toes.

If your face sweats a lot, try applying some antiperspirant along your hairline.

Just test it first before you take it out in public to make sure that the antiperspirant doesn't irritate the skin on your face., Cotton will absorb moisture as will fabrics found in athletic wear that are designed to wick away moisture.

You can also choose clothes with a loose weave, such as clothes made of linen. , Guys should wear cotton undershirts to absorb excess sweat, while women can wear an absorbent camisole or use sweat absorbing pads. , If you wear white, people are going to notice that you're sweating.

If you choose dark colors or prints, then your sweat isn't going to show up as much. , Brands like Geox have absorbent insoles and also let moisture out through holes in the soles of the shoes.

You can also reduce foot sweat by wearing shoes made of leather and other natural materials.Wear sandals or go barefoot when you can so that your feet can breathe. , Bring an extra shirt or blouse that you can change into midday if you have sweaty spots on your outfit.

Change your outfit in a restroom or in your car, and use a cloth or a handkerchief to wipe away excess sweat before you put on your new top.

Also, if your feet are sweaty and smelly, bring an extra pair of socks and shoes., Foods like hot peppers can make you sweat more, while onions and garlic can make your sweat smell unpleasant.

Eat more bland foods throughout the day when you're at work or out in public. , If you're overweight or obese, losing weight will help reduce the amount of sweating that you experience because the heavier you are, the more you'll sweat because it's harder it is to cool down efficiently. , The odor of sweat can be reduced considerably by frequent hygiene practices that are very simple.

Have a daily bathing routine of either a shower or a bath and in particularly bad cases, consider bathing twice a day.

Use a deodorant soap that will help to wipe out the bacteria that cause odor.

When you're out and about, carry baby wipes or similar wipes that you can use underarm and on your body to mop up sweat quickly in the bathroom and feel fresh again.

Carry an antiperspirant with you at all times for quick touch-ups, especially after physical activity or a stressful experience such as delivering a presentation.

If you have a permanent workspace, keep a stick of antiperspirant in your desk drawer.

Just make sure you don't leave your antiperspirant in a hot car where it could melt. , These drinks can cause you to sweat excessively. , Some people believe that sage can soothe the nerve fibers that cause you to produce excessive sweat.

Try these sage recipes to prevent sweating too much:
Add 4 tablespoons of sage leaves to 2 cups (500 ml) of boiling water.

Simmer the sage for 5 minutes, pour the liquid through a mesh sieve to strain it and drink the liquid.

Combine 5 tablespoons of sage leaves, 1 tablespoon of valerian root and 1 tablespoon of horsetail.

Pour 1 cup (250 ml) of boiling water over the herbs and bring the liquid to a boil again.

Filter the leaves out and drink the mixture daily. , Mix equal amounts of eucalyptus leaves, oak bark, walnut leaves, witch hazel leaves and tormentil root.

Place 5 tablespoons of the mixture into 2 quarts (about 2 L) of water.

Boil the mixture for 5 minutes and remove it from the heat.

Add 1 quart (about 1 L) of cool water and bathe your hands and feet with the liquid. , Mix 3 parts sage and walnut leaves with 2 parts stinging nettle and strawberry leaves.

Add 1 cup (250 ml) of steaming water to the mixture and drink it before bedtime. , Drinking these teas before bed can help you to relax and get some rest, which will reduce your anxiety levels. , Try rose, lavender or orange oil to produce a pleasant smell and hide body odor. , Choose geranium oil, tea tree oil or cypress oil., If you are experiencing drenched clothing, embarrassment or an inability to control odor as a result of sweating, then it's time to speak to your doctor or dermatologist.

Your health care professional may need to take blood tests to check your thyroid or to look for infections or run other tests according to their professional examination. , Your doctor can prescribe an at-home electric iontophoresis machine, which uses a mild electric current run through water to shut down your sweat glands., Botox can temporarily paralyze sweat glands for 7 to 19 months per injection.

These are usually given for sweaty underarms but can also be injected on the face, hands or feet., These devices work on the armpits or other sweaty areas that have a layer of protective fat.

The handheld device delivers controlled electromagnetic energy, and the heat causes the sweat glands to decompose.

Doctors usually recommend 2 treatments spaced 3 months apart., These drugs are not FDA-approved, but they have a long history of being prescribed for excessive sweating.

Athletes, people who participate in sports and people who work outdoors should avoid these drugs because they disable the body's sweating mechanism, which would cause difficulty with keeping the body cool., If you're experiencing anxiety triggered sweating, a course of cognitive behavioral therapy or psychotherapy might be just the ticket to relieve such sweating. , You have a couple of options:
Local underarm surgery.

This procedure is performed under local anesthesia in a dermatologist's office.

Your doctor will use liposuction, curettage (scraping) or lasers to destroy the sweat glands.

Recovery usually takes 2 days, although you'll need to limit arm activity for about a week.

Unfortunately, health insurance does not always pay for this procedure.

Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy.

Surgeons put the patient under general anesthesia and attempt to cut the nerves from the spinal column that stimulate excessive sweating.

This surgery could have serious side effects, including low blood pressure, heat intolerance and heart arrhythmia, so it's only recommended when all other treatment options have failed. , Examples include acupuncture, biofeedback, hypnosis or relaxation techniques...

About the Author

D

Dennis Perez

Committed to making crafts accessible and understandable for everyone.

45 articles
View all articles

Rate This Guide

--
Loading...
5
0
4
0
3
0
2
0
1
0

How helpful was this guide? Click to rate: