Sweating is just another natural body function. Your body does it in order to lower the body temperature. On an average, human body contains two to four million sweat glands. These glands are mainly located in the armpits, palm of the hands and feet. But, sometimes excessive sweating may cause problems, especially during the summers. In fact, excessive sweating in armpits can be very embarrassing as they lead to spots on clothing and contribute towards unseemly body odor. However, you can eliminate some of the embarrassment and social anxiety caused by sweat by observing some simple hygiene practices.
Some of the effective measures to stop excessive sweating are given below.
1. Avoid deodorants.
The first thing that you need to do in order to stop sweaty armpits is to maintain distance from your deodorants and opt for an antiperspirant or combination of deodorant/antiperspirant product. The deodorants have high alcohol content and this alcohol is known to neutralize odor that causes bacteria. This way deodorants are capable of combating the bad odor from armpits, however, they do nothing to stop sweating. On the other hand, antiperspirants block sweat glands thus they are capable of stopping sweat before it reaches your skin.
2. Select an antiperspirant with aluminum chloride hexahydrate as the active ingredient.
International Hyperhydrosis Society (IHS) has claimed that aluminum chloride hexahydrate is the most effective antiperspirant ingredient. According to IHS, the optimal concentration of aluminum chloride hexahydrate in an antiperspirant must be in between 10 and 15 percent. So, next time look for a an antiperspirant with concentration of aluminum chloride hexahydrate.
3. Apply antiperspirants, twice a day.
Although, some formulas may promise 24 hours coverage, but for maximum around the clock coverage you must apply antiperspirants, two times in a day. Even IHS recommends the use of these products twice a day for best results. Make sure that you apply a thin layer of these antiperspirants rather than a thick layer to get instant results. According to the IHS, the chemicals contained in this product are responsible for a decrease in sweaty armpits.
4. Learn some relaxation techniques.
Stress is one of the driving factors behind increased perspiration which ultimately leads to sweaty armpits. So, if you want to stop sweaty armpits then you need to make a distance from stress. Relaxation techniques like meditation, yoga and biofeedback are very effective in relieving you from stress, thus helping you to stop stress related sweating.
5. Cool down on hot days.
Your body produces more sweat on a hot day in order to lower the body temperature. In such cases you can reduce sweat production by ensuring that your body stays cool. Drink plenty of cold water. This water makes up for the fluids lost through sweating and also makes you feel cooler. In order to lower the ambient temperature in your workplace or home, set up a fan or an air conditioner. Whenever you feel overheated apply a cool, wet washcloth behind your neck.
6. Wear clothing made of natural fibers.
Synthetic fibers have one great disadvantage, they are not that much effective as their natural counterparts when it comes to circulation of air through clothing which certainly makes them inappropriate for summer. Synthetic fibers have the property of trapping hot air which eventually leads to an increase in sweating. On the other hand, natural fibers like cotton and silk lets your skin breathe by allowing air to circulate freely. Nowadays, special workout clothes are also available in the market which are made of such fibers that are capable of whisking moisture away from your skin, opt for such clothes when doing workouts.
7. Change your diet.
According to The National Institute of Health Medlineplus, alcohol and caffeine greatly contribute to sweating so if you want to stop sweating, you need to cut down on food and drinks containing alcohol and caffeine. Also, eliminate dishes with extra spices from your diet as they lead to a type of sweating called “gustatory sweating”.
8. Talk to your doctor.
If all the measures described above do not meet your needs then you can even consider consulting a doctor. He can prescribe you a stronger antiperspirant than your normal over-the-counter antiperspirants.