How to Stop Sweaty Armpits

Antiperspirant blocks sweat glands and stops underarm sweating.

Sweating is a natural bodily function -- everybody does it. Your body has between two and four million sweat glands located in the armpits, feet and palms of the hands. Although it's natural and normal, sweating can pose problems, especially during the summer. Sweaty armpits can lead to embarrassing spots on clothing and contribute to unseemly body odor. Stopping sweaty armpits in conjunction with observing good hygiene practices can eliminate some of the social anxiety and embarrassment caused by sweat.

Things You'll Need

• Antiperspirant
• Natural fiber clothing
• Water
• Fan
• Air Conditioner
• Washcloth

Instructions

1. Ditch your deodorant and opt for an antiperspirant or combination deodorant/antiperspirant product instead. Deodorants eliminate smells from sweaty underarms via their high alcohol content, according to MayoClinic.com. The alcohol neutralizes odor-causing bacteria, but does nothing to stop sweating. Antiperspirants block sweat glands, stopping sweat before it reaches your skin.

2. Select an antiperspirant with aluminum chloride hexahydrate as the active ingredient. Aluminum chloride hexahydrate is the most effective antiperspirant ingredient, as noted by the International Hyperhydrosis Society. Look for a formula containing between 10 and 15 percent aluminum chloride hexahydrate, the optimal concentration according to the IHS.

3. Apply antiperspirants twice a day. Some formulas promise 24-hour coverage, but the IHS recommends using products twice daily for maximum around-the-clock coverage. Apply antiperspirants in a thin, even layer instead of a thick layer. The product itself isn't responsible for a decrease is sweaty armpits -- the chemicals contained in the product are. Applying more of the product does not guarantee a better result, according to the IHS.

4. Wear clothing made of natural fibers. Natural fibers allow air to circulate freely through your clothing and let your skin breathe. Synthetic fibers can trap hot air and sweat against your skin, leading to an increase in sweating. MayoClinic.com recommends cotton, silk and wool. Opt for workout clothes made of fibers designed to whisk moisture away from your skin.

5. Learn some relaxation techniques. Stress can lead to increased perspiration, which leads to sweaty armpits. Techniques like yoga, meditation and biofeedback can help stop stress-related sweating, according to MayoClinic.com.

6. Change your diet. The National Institutes of Health Medlineplus website notes that caffeine and alcohol contribute to sweating. Eliminate food and drinks containing alcohol and caffeine to cut back on sweating. Spicy foods cause a type of sweating called "gustatory sweating." Cut down on dishes with extra spices.

7. Cool down on hot days. When the ambient temperature rises, your body temperature rises and you sweat to stay cool. Drink plenty of cool water. Water replaces the fluids lost from sweating, and cold water can make you feel cooler. Set up a fan or air conditioner to lower ambient temperatures in your home or workspace. Apply a cool, wet washcloth to the back of your neck when you feel overheated.

8. Talk to your doctor. If over-the-counter antiperspirants aren't meeting your needs, your doctor can prescribe a stronger antiperspirant.

Tips & Warnings

• If you take anything away from this article, understand that You can easily take action against any sweating problem. You can certainly manage it easier with the tips I have shown here and you can cure sweating problems completely in an easy and inexpensive manner.

• Excessively sweaty underarms can be a symptom of hyperhydrosis. Hyperhydrosis occurs when the body sweats more than is needed to cool down. Low blood sugar and hyperthyroidism can also cause excessive sweating. Blood and urine tests can rule out hypoglycemia and hyperthyroidism. A thermoregulatory sweat test, which involves powder that changes color when exposed to sweat, can rule out hyperhydrosis.

References

• MedlinePlus: Sweating
• International Hyperhydrosis Society: Hyperhydrosis Treatments - Antiperspirants
• International Hyperhydrosis Society: Pit Stains are Stoppable
• MayoClinic.com: Sweating and Body Odor - Treatments and Drugs
• MayoClinic.com: Sweating and Body Odor- Lifestyle and Home Remedies
• MayoClinic.com: Hyperhydrosis (Excessive Sweating)

Resources

• MayoClinic.com: Hyperhydrosis - Tests and Diagnosis
• MayoClinic.com: Hyperhydrosis - Treatments and Drugs
• MayoClinic.com: Hyperhydrosis - Lifestyle and Home Remedies