Excessive Sweat — Tips to Control and Reduce Sweat

Sweating is the body’s way of regulating its temperature. When we’re hot, we sweat. That moisture then evaporates and cools us down. Sweating is a completely natural part of everyday life.

In this post we’ll explore tips and tricks to help you sweat less, and hopefully live more…

 

Apply antiperspirant before bed

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.

 

Wear Cotton Or Silk

If you decide to wear sweat-inducing fabrics like polyester and acrylic, you’re asking for it. Stick to light cotton threads or even moisture-wicking fabrics (athleisure wear is so hot right now) to make sure your body stays cool.

 

Avoid certain foods

There are a few food choices you may want to avoid if you’re out to a business lunch or in a social situation where you’d rather not sweat. Definitely avoid spicy food. Our bodies react to spicy food in the same way they do to any other heat — they try to cool things down, which leads to sweating.

Caffeine isn’t advisable either as it stimulates our adrenal glands and causes our palms, feet, and underarms to sweat.

 

Keep cool

Sweating is your body’s way of cooling you down. So by staying cool, you reduce the need to sweat.

In hot weather, it can be really effective to place a bowl of ice in front of a fan to circulate cold air around the room. Another good idea is to keep your curtains and blinds drawn during the day to stop the sun from overheating your rooms. Try to stay in the shade if you’re outdoors.

Eating smaller meals more regularly can help to keep you cool, as metabolic heat is needed to break down food. Staying well hydrated will also keep your body temperature down.

You can also keep your moisturizers in the fridge for a cooling effect when you apply them. Get yourself a handheld fan and keep your head and feet cool by avoiding hats and wearing open shoes when the weather allows it.

 

Seek Medical Help

If you feel that you sweat to excess, you may want to consult with your doctor to see if you have a condition called hyperhidrosis. If you do, there are several treatment options available to you:

• Prescription antiperspirant: Your doctor can prescribe a high-strength prescription antiperspirant that isn’t readily available to buy over the counter. Prescription creams are also available if your face and head are affected.
• Oral medication: There are some medications available from your doctor that block the chemicals that allow particular nerves to communicate with each other, which can help to reduce sweating. There are some potential side effects (including bladder problems, dry mouth, and blurred vision), so talk to your doctor about whether or not the benefits outweigh the risks.
• Seek psychological intervention: If you’re experiencing anxiety triggered sweating, a course of cognitive behavioral therapy or psychotherapy might be just the ticket to relieve such sweating.
• Botox injections: 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
• Surgery: In extreme cases, there are some surgical options open to you. These include microwave therapy, sweat gland removal, and nerve surgery. Surgery should only be considered when your doctor determines that you have a serious condition causing you to sweat an unusual amount.