It’s natural to sweat. Sweating is the body’s cooling process. Everyone sweats when it’s sultry outside, during exercise, and in response to certain emotional conditions. However, if you sweat a lot than others, you might be asking yourself, “Why me?” Learn more about the factors responsible for excessive sweating and ways to avoid it.
Why Do I Sweat So Much?
Between 2 to 4 million sweat glands are there all over the human body. When it gets sultry, these glands react by producing sweat to cool down. Sometimes sweat glands can overreact, causing your feet palms, face, underarms, or head to sweat profusely.
If you sweat profusely, you might have hyperhidrosis(1), says the IHS (International Hyperhidrosis Society). Various conditions and triggers can cause hyperhidrosis. According to the AAD (American Academy of Dermatology), approximately three percent of Americans experience excessive sweating, and either from primary or secondary hyperhidrosis.
Extreme sweating of the face, hands, armpits, and feet not caused by medication a medical condition is called PFH (primary focal hyperhidrosis). This type of sweating usually begins in childhood or adolescence and is thought to run in families, with anxiety being the primary trigger, says IHS.
[Read: Cool Benefits of Armpit Detox]
SGH (Secondary generalized hyperhidrosis) is often indicated by excessive sweating all over the body and is generally caused by medication or conditions like hyperthyroidism, menopause, heart failure, or diabetes. Typically beginning in adulthood, secondary hyperhidrosis causes sweating on more significant or widespread areas of the body, even when sleeping.
How to Deal With Sweating
- While hyperhidrosis can often conflict with daily activities, there are some effective solutions. Try these:
- Eliminate certain foods from your diet, like chocolate, caffeine, and tangy foods.
- Use over-the-counter antiperspirants containing aluminum chloride.
- Wear clothing made of natural fibers, like linen or cotton.
- Use underarm shields to help absorb sweat and decrease sweating.
Treatment Options
When hyperhidrosis is expected, your doctor will perform a physical test and determine the best treatment option, which includes:
[Read: Home Remedies to to Stop Excessive Sweating]
Antiperspirants
Regulated antiperspirants(2) are the most popular topical remedies as they are more reliable than over-the-counter products. Some people find these high-strength antiperspirants to be irritating to their underarm skin, however.
Anticholinergics
These are a type of prescription drugs that are shown to help reduce the nerve signals to sweat glands. This choice is best for generalized sweating, and there can be side effects, such as blurred vision and dry mouth.
Electrotherapy
Certain types of electrotherapy, which delivers low-intensity electrical currents, are used to treat excessive sweating. Some forms destroy the sweat glands outright, preventing them from growing back, while others inhibit sweating.
[Read: Rashes Under Your Breast? Sweat No More, Try These Natural Cures]
Botox
For up to 6 months, Botox treatment can inhibit your sweat glands from overproducing sweat in certain areas of your body. It’s generally used for underarm sweat.
Surgery
If other treatments are ineffective, you can opt for surgery. Sweat gland removal surgery surgically ousts the sweat glands from the underarms and hands. Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy(3) involves surgically cutting and damaging the nerves responsible for profuse sweating.
Excessive sweating is a phenomenon no one should have to endure without reason. If you’re worried about your overreactive glands — don’t sweat it. Contact your physician about the best treatment options for you.
In the meanwhile, you can also try these home remedies.
1. Lemon:
Lemon is a citrus fruit, and its citric acid serves as a natural deodorant and gives a pleasant fragrance. Take one-half lemons and squeeze its juice under your arms and wash it after half an hour.
2. Vinegar:
Vinegar has astringent property, which helps to control the sweating process. It assists in balancing the pH level of the body. Taking two spoons of vinegar with one spoon of apple cider vinegar is one of the best remedies to cure excessive sweating. This should be taken empty – stomach.
3. Potato:
Another fast way to get rid of excessive sweating is by using a potato. Due to its quality of absorbing excess water from the body, it serves as an antiperspirant and a blocking agent. Simply cutting potato slices and rubbing them on areas that sweat more is beneficial.
4. Black Tea:
Black tea has tannic acid, which holds astringent and antiperspirant properties. The astringent property, in turn, constricts the sweat glands, which control the sweat flow to the outer skin. Also, black tea contains more tannic acid than regular tea, making it best to use.
