How to Stop Under Arm Wetness

Sweating is a natural function that helps our bodies to regulate our temperature. Excessive underarm sweating, however, can be uncomfortable and embarrassing. Some people can stop underarm wetness with an anti-perspirant bought from a drugstore. Other people may need more serious treatment, like prescription-strength deodorant, oral medication or even Botox injections.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Shaving cream Razor

1. Shave your armpits. Shaving will expose your underarm skin to more air, which will help cool the skin. Apply shaving cream or gel to your armpits and remove the hair with a razor. If you do not feel comfortable shaving your armpits, consider trimming the hair down to allow some air to circulate around your skin.

2. Wear breathable and light-colored clothing. Purchase clothes made from "breathable" fabrics, like cotton, that allow air to circulate around your skin. Avoid polyester fabrics. Also, choose light-colored clothing since they will reflect light and heat. Dark-colored clothes will absorb heat and make you sweat more.

3. Buy an anti-perspirant with aluminum zirconium tricholorohydrex glycine. Anti-perspirants with this active ingredient stop sweating by closing pores. You may find these products at your local drugstore.

4. See your doctor. If a store-bought anti-perspirant does not stop underarm sweating, make an appointment with your doctor to obtain a prescription-strength deodorant. Many of these deodorants contain aluminum chloride, which is a strong ingredient that combats sweating, and are applied before you go to bed. Do not use deodorants with aluminum chloride when you plan to exercise or spend a lot of time in the sun. These products prevent you from sweating and thus may lead you to have a heat stroke.

5. If prescription-strength deodorants do not stop your underarm wetness, you may suffer from hyperhidrosis. Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition where your body produces four to five times the amount of sweat than necessary. Hyperhidrosis can be treated with botox injections, oral medications, a procedure called oontophoresis or surgery. Ask your doctor if you have hyperhidrosis and inquire about possible treatments. Also, visit the International Hyperhydrosis Society's website to learn more about this ailment (see Resources for more information).

Tips & Warnings

• Try to alleviate stress from your life. Stress and anxiety can lead to excessive sweating. If you find yourself under a lot of stress, find ways to relax your mind and body. Activities that relieve anxiety include exercise, yoga, meditation, reading or spending time with family and friends. Watch your weight. People who are overweight can have more sweating problems than people who are average weight. Exercise on a regular basis (at least three times a week) and eat a healthy diet full of fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

References

• How to Stop Armpit Sweat
• Stop Excessive Sweating

Resources

• International Hyperhydrosis Society