Excessive sweating also known as hyperhidrosis is a medical condition. It is true that a specific amount of sweating can be termed as normal but when you are sweating profusely, then something is wrong somewhere and needs to be checked properly.
To control or stop excessive sweating, you may need to make some changes or adjustments to your normal routine and watch it before seeking medical attention.
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How to Stop Excessive Sweating
- Use Antiperspirant: You may wish to use stronger antiperspirant to combat sweating. Be sure to get antiperspirants and not deodorants as antiperspirants will actually clog the sweat glands and prevent excess moisture, while deodorants simply mask odors. Ensure you apply the antiperspirant at night, just before bed. This is because it takes approximately six to eight hours for the antiperspirant to enter the sweat ducts and adequately clog the pores. You will also need to apply the antiperspirant a second time, after your morning shower, for optimum results.
Remember that antiperspirants aren’t reserved for use on the armpits, they can be used almost anywhere you find yourself sweating – like the palms, feet, legs, and back. Just avoid using them on the face, as stronger formulas have a tendency to cause irritation, especially on sensitive skin. - Choose to clothe wisely. Clothing is a very important factor to consider when keeping sweating under control. Wearing breathable and bright-colored clothing can prevent you from sweating excessively. Although dark colors and patterns mask sweat stains, they tend to make you sweat more. Lightweight, breathable fabrics – such as cotton – will allow your skin to breathe and prevent your body from overheating. Also, ensure you wear breathable shoes if you suffer from sweaty feet. Layering your clothing, no matter what the season, can help with the appearance of sweat, as the bottom layers can soak up any excess moisture before it gets a chance to soak through the outer layers. Men can wear undershirts, while women can opt for a camisole. You may also consider using dress shields.
- Shower regularly. Showering daily can really help to eliminate bad odors caused by excessive sweating. Washing daily (especially with an antibacterial soap) can help to prevent excess bacteria from building upon the surface of the skin, thus reducing odors. It is also important to wear clean clothes after a shower, as bacteria can also reside on dirty clothes.
- Avoid spicy foods. Spicy foods such as hot peppers or Indian curries can increase the amount of sweat you produce, so avoid eating anything spicy – at least during lunch on workdays or on a date. Also avoid eating foods such as garlic and onions, as the strong odors associated with these foods can come out through your sweat.
- Keep your bed cool. If you suffer from nighttime sweating, there are several things you can do to keep yourself cool in bed.
a. Make sure you are using breathable, lightweight bed linen no matter what time of year it is.
b. Also, make sure to choose sheets with an absorbent material such as cotton – silk or flannel sheets are not ideal.
c. Opt for a lightweight duvet or comforter. - Reduce stress. Stress and anxiety is a major sweat trigger for some people, so it makes sense that by controlling your stress levels, you can control your sweating.
When you’re stressed or nervous, these feelings stimulate neurotransmitters in the brain which send signals to your body to start sweating, leaving you feeling hot and bothered.
Reduce stress by focusing on relaxation techniques such as deep breathing and meditation.
In the long term, things like frequent exercise and making time for family and friends will help you to reduce stress. - Cut back on bad habits. Avoid habits like smoking, drinking alcohol, and excessive caffeine consumption which can all lead to increased sweating. Proper weight management also reduces sweating caused due to overweight.
- Drink more water. Sweating happens when your body temperature gets too high and your body secretes water in order to cool it down again. Drinking plenty of cool water throughout the day helps to regulate your body temperature and prevent it from getting too high in the first place, thus preventing the need to sweat.
Drinking lots of water also allows toxins to be flushed from the body through urine, which would otherwise be sweated out through the skin. When toxins are eliminated through the skin, they mingle with sweat to create bad odors. Therefore, drinking lots of water can improve the odor of your sweat. - Drink sage tea. Sage tea is a little-known herbal remedy for excessive sweating which is believed to prevent the sweat glands from producing too much sweat.
You may be able to find sage tea in a health food store, but the tea is very easy to make yourself at home.
Simply boil a handful of dried or fresh sage leaves in a pot of water. Once boiled, strain the leaves out of the liquid and leave the tea to cool slightly before drinking.
One or two cups of this a day should be sufficient. - Consult your doctor. In some instances, excessive sweating may be due to an underlying medical condition, such as menopause, heart disease, hyperthyroidism, hyperhidrosis, or some types of cancer. Once the underlying problem is successfully treated, the patient can effectively reduce excessive sweating as well.
It is also important to consider whether any medications you are currently taking could be causing the problem as some medicines can contribute to excessive sweating, such as drugs used to treat psychiatric conditions or high blood pressure. Antibiotics and some types of supplements can also lead to the problem. Your doctor may prescribe some medications to control excessive sweating. They work by blocking nerves in the brain from communicating with sweat glands. Ensure you discuss the adverse effects before use.
