We all have important events like dates, interviews, or a board meeting that we need to be fresh for. However, sweating can make it not only uncomfortable for you and the people you will be with but also be an embarrassment to you.
Sweating is normal because it is the way the body cools itself. It might also help get rid of some toxins from the body. However, excessive sweating, also called hyperhidrosis, causes you to produce more sweat than normal and more frequently.
Some reasons can make you experience excessive sweating like anxiety, primary focal hyperhidrosis, medications, and some health problems like tuberculosis.
For whatever reason you find yourself sweating excessively, there are some ways you can deal with it.
1. Use Antiperspirants
This is one of the most common and effective ways to deal with excessive sweating. Antiperspirants have aluminum-based compounds that are meant to temporarily block your sweat pores.
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That means that the sweat is still being produced by the body, but very little of it or none is reaching your skin surface. They also help mask the sweat that may be produced when the little sweat reaches your skin. Antiperspirants may sometimes be confused with deodorants.
Deodorants don’t reduce the amount of sweat that reaches your skin. Instead, they mask the smell the bacteria produce when you sweat. Since antiperspirant needs time to create the coat, apply it at night.
If you shower in the morning, ensure that your skin is dry before applying the antiperspirant. Also, give your skin some time to cool, especially if you use hot water to shower.
You should also ensure that your armpits are shaved. However, do not apply antiperspirant to freshly shaved skin because that may irritate the skin.
If you buy antiperspirants over the counter, go for the ones with at least 13% of aluminum chloride. If that does not work, consult your doctor.
2. Don’t Dress Immediately After Showering
You should give your body a few minutes to cool off. Therefore, you should not dress immediately after showering, especially if you take hot showers. That ensures that you do not sweat from the heat of your bath immediately after you dress.
It also creates dry and fresh skin for you to put on your antiperspirant and deodorants.
3. Shave Your Armpits
Armpits are one of the areas that are very prone to excessive sweating. Hair tends to hold in moisture, and that is what armpit hair does by holding in the sweat. Shaving could also help you reduce or eliminate the odor that you experience as a result of sweating.
4. Have A Proper Diet
What you eat and drink affects how much you sweat because there are some foods and drinks that can increase the amount of sweat you produce. Other foods may limit how much you sweat.
If you have excessive sweating, you should limit the amount of sweat-inducing foods you have. You should add food with more fiber content because low fiber makes your body overwork in breaking down your food.
Also, avoid foods with high sodium because they make your body detox all the excess salt through urine and sweat. Foods rich in fats like processed and deep-fried foods should also be avoided because they add to your body's warmth, making you sweat more.
Caffeine is also another major cause of excessive sweating because it stimulates your nervous system, which increases your sweating. It also raises your heart rate and blood pressure and stimulates your sweat glands.
Some other sweat-inducing foods you should avoid are;
• Spicy foods.
• Alcohol.
• Onions and garlic.
Some of the foods you should add to your diet include;
• Water because it keeps the body cool.
• Green tea.
• Bananas.
• Almonds.
• Olive oil.
• Oats.
• Sweet potatoes.
• Fruits and vegetables with high water content.
• Whey.
5. Put On Loose-Fitting And Breathable Clothes
Putting on tight clothes, especially under your arms, make you sweat more because of the heat. They are also prone to staining, which we all hate. Go for loose clothes with breathable fabrics. Those will ensure you remain cool throughout the day, reducing how much you sweat.
Also, ensure you wear light clothes that reflect the heat away instead of absorbing it. Also, look for fabrics that are better at absorbing sweat than those that retain it.
6. Stop Smoking
The nicotine you inhale from smoking increases your heart rate, raises your body temperature, and stimulates your sweat glands.
7. See Your Doctor
If you try some or all of the above methods and you still have excessive sweating, you should see your doctor. They will examine you to determine if it is being caused by an underlying issue, which they will treat.
They will also suggest some treatment methods that include;
• Oral medication.
• Prescription antiperspirants.
• Botox injections.
• Surgery.
While armpits are one of the major areas affected by excessive sweating, you may experience sweating in your feet too. There are ways you can deal with excessively sweaty feet, but they are not the same as those for armpit sweating.
Some of the ways include;
• Wearing sandals anytime you have the chance.
• Wash your shoes regularly and ensure they are completely dry before wearing them.
• Wear shoes made from natural materials that allow proper foot ventilation.
• Dry your feet completely before wearing your shoes, especially between your toes.
• Remove your shoes whenever possible.
• Don’t put on very tight shoes.
• Wear socks that absorb moisture and keep your feet dry. Therefore, ensure that you look at the material of the socks and if you can buy cotton.
• Change your socks daily or any time after they become wet. Also, ensure you wash them and ensure they are completely dry before wearing them again.
• Apply antiperspirant before going to bed and wash it off after waking up. Alternatively, you can apply powder. Pay extra attention between your toes because that is where sweat occurs mostly.
Disclaimer
Womens.Tips does not endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. This content is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or analysis.
