Being a hot, sweaty mess is not necessarily a bad thing. Sweating is how your body cools itself off and regulates your basal temperature.
However, hyperhidrosis or abnormally excessive sweating that’s not related to hot weather or physical activity is another matter. When you sweat too much and it seeps through your clothes, it results in embarrassment and social anxiety.
Fortunately, there are many ways to stop sweating, so let’s dive into them now.
What Exactly Causes Excessive Sweat?
You may feel frustrated and annoyed if you sweat a lot. Sweating occurs when your body releases liquid from your sweat glands. This liquid is 99% water and 1% salt and fat.
Notably, you release at least a quart of sweat each day. When sweat is excreted and then evaporates from your skin through the pores, the process cools down your body.
Though sweat is essential, excessive sweating is another matter. You could be a heavy sweater due to many reasons like eating certain foods, dealing with emotional stress, having malignancies, undergoing menopause, experiencing an infection, taking certain medications, and so on.
There’s a broad range of reasons for abnormal perspiration and finding the root cause can help. Thankfully, the following suggestions may help you cope with sweating and body odor.
How Can You Develop Hyperhidrosis?
If you suffer from hyperhidrosis, you likely fret over how to sweat less.
Your sweat glands are going into overdrive, resulting in too much sweating. For instance, your shirt could be soaked while others don’t even break a sweat because the weather is cool.
Now that’ll make you stand out like a sore thumb. Typically, hyperhidrosis occurs in noticeable areas like your armpits, face, and lower back. It can also manifest in your genitals, soles of the feet, or undersides of the palm.
Face
Are you concerned about how to stop sweating on your face? When perspiration trickles down your face including your forehead and cheeks, it may make you feel quite miserable.
Excessive face sweating is highly noticeable - it’s literally right there! So of course you want to know how to sweat less on your face. What’s worse is this issue can result in more breakouts because you can’t help but touch your face to dry it off.
Sweaty skin plus dirty hands equate to bacterial growth and acne. You can thank hormonal changes for a lot of this - isn’t early adulthood fun?!
Armpit
Let’s bust this myth right here and now - underarm hyperhidrosis has nothing to do with hygiene.
If you soak through your shirts and show visible wet stains on your pits, it doesn’t indicate that you did not shower or put on deodorant.
What it does show is that your sweat glands are too overactive. That being said, it’s not surprising why you want to stop excessive sweating.
After all, you don’t want other people’s eyes pinned on you for the wrong reasons. If you want a solution, study the root cause. Excessive armpit sweat is commonly due to health conditions like infections, diabetes, some types of cancer, thyroid issues, nervous system disorders, and even low blood sugar. In the meantime, we can help.
Hands
If you’re giving a speech that you feel nervous about or are lifting weights at the gym, it’s normal to have very sweaty palms. This is typical and temporary.
However, when you’re doing normal activities like watching TV or reading a book, there’s no reason for your hands to sweat. This condition makes you feel embarrassed to shake hands. You can also lose your grip on certain objects easily or end up getting documents wet inadvertently.
Usually, hormonal issues or anxiety activate the eccrine sweat glands on your palms. And when these nerves overreact, you get hyperhidrosis. Sweating less can be achieved, let’s jump into how!
How to Stop Sweating So Much
Although sweating is a natural part of life to cool your body down, many people still find sweating undesirable in most social situations. If your sweat leaves noticeable stains and damp patches, it can be rather off-putting.
Here are some helpful hacks to reduce sweat:
1) Use the Right Antiperspirant
Learning how to not sweat as much will first lead you to antiperspirants. Products with the right ingredients can be found off the shelf - you don’t need a prescription to deal with your hyperhidrosis.
Our three-step system blocks out sweat ducts so your perspiration won’t reach the skin's surface. The sweat glands still produce liquid, but it won’t make it out through your pores.
Remember, antiperspirants and deodorants aren’t the same. The latter doesn’t stop sweat but only masks that smell your body’s bacteria produces when it mixes with sweat. Notably, some antiperspirants contain deodorants.
2) Keep Your Nerves in Check
If you’re serious about learning how to avoid sweating, one of the things you must practice is keeping your cool and making sure your nerves are under control.
When you’re a nervous wreck, your body secretes the fight or flight hormones that prepare you to take action.
These hormones increase your heart rate and force your apocrine glands to release more sweat than normal. Practicing mindfulness and deep breathing can help you keep calm under pressure, alleviating excessive sweat.
3) Apply Your Antiperspirant Correctly
You can sweat less if you apply your antiperspirant as prescribed. Make sure you apply it to clean and dry underarms after your shower.
You must start in the middle of your armpit, working your way outwards in all directions until the whole area is completely covered. You can reapply throughout the day as needed, but make sure your armpits are clean by using antibacterial wipes. Some suggest beginning with antiperspirant before bed because the ingredients need time to block the sweat ducts.
That’s why our 3-step solution covers you in the morning, night, and during your showers - check it out here.
4) Wear Light Clothes
If you have to ask: Why does my face sweat so much?! - the answer could lie in your clothes. When you wear extremely tight clothes, this can cause overheating.
As a result, your face sweats to cool you down. If you want to reduce sweating, prioritize light, breathable fabrics that offer good air circulation. Lighter colors will also help reflect the sun’s heat rather than absorb it. As a result, you reduce sweat, feeling cool and fresh all day long.
5) Shaving
The human body is amazing. Did you know that hair strands can hold onto moisture? Thus, if you want to minimize sweating, shaving your armpits may result in less sweat.
On top of that, when there are no hair strands, you get fewer sweat rings and stains on your shirt sleeves. Besides, when you cut off the hair follicle, it may also decrease the unpleasant odor associated with sweat.
6) Keep Yourself Hydrated
This may not be an obvious hack for how to reduce sweating. But one of the best things you can do for your body is to stay hydrated. Bear in mind, that body is around 70% water - so your organs, which includes your sweat glands, won’t function optimally without proper hydration.
Drinking water helps your body stay cool and reduces sweating. Stick with the recommended 8 glasses a day and drink more if you exercise, live in a hot climate, or take certain medications.
7) Avoid the Sun
It’s not ideal, and we’re not suggesting you turn into a vampire, but try to avoid the sun at its daily peak. If you absolutely need to be out midday, protect yourself with broad protection coverage SPF and a wide brim hat.
It would also help to use a sun shield protector for your vehicle so it’s not excessively hot when you drive.
5 Ways to Prevent Sweating
People who suffer from hyperhidrosis sweat very easily. Unfortunately, excessive sweating can diminish the quality of life because it results in embarrassment, social anxiety, and lowered self-esteem.
If you find yourself carrying extra clothes, avoiding shaking hands, or missing out on outdoor gatherings because you feel self-conscious, it’s time to be proactive. This can affect work performance, impact relationships, and interfere with daily living. Check out these helpful tips below:
1) Apply Antiperspirants at Night
You can prevent sweating by applying a good quality antiperspirant at night. Antiperspirants have active ingredients that block sweat ducts, and they need time to work.
When you apply antiperspirant, it dissolves the particles and pulls them into your pores. It forms superficial plugs below the skin surface. Though your sweat glands will still produce sweat, it has no way of making it out into the surface and your body’s feedback mechanism stops the flow.
2) Carry a Handkerchief
A handkerchief is a very handy fabric for people who sweat excessively.
Although it can’t stop sweat, it can help you dry things off. You can use it to pat dry areas like your face, back, and even armpits. That way, you stop the sweat before it soaks through your clothes. However, this is only a last resort. Your best option is still to use an antiperspirant so there won’t be any wet stains or smelly body odors to worry about.
3) Watch Your Diet
Unbeknownst to most, your diet plays a big role in how much you sweat. What you put in your mouth will always trigger a reaction in your body. If you eat something very hot or spicy, you can expect to be a sweaty mess.
Super hot food and spicy food make your body feel warmer than its basal temperature. As a result, it produces sweat to cool you off. If you don’t want to sweat so much, eat more cooling foods instead (more on that later).
4) Use a Sweat Pad
It can be debilitating to sweat excessively. When your work clothes have wet stains in the armpits, it can decimate your confidence and affect your performance.
Fortunately, you have an innovative product like sweat pads to offer a solution - as temporary as it might be.
These ultra-thin patches stick to your skin and clothes to prevent stains. They should remain in place, absorb perspiration, and remain completely sealed. You can replace them at any time to feel fresh, cool, and confident all day long.
Foods That Reduce Sweat
If you’re truly concerned about how to sweat less, pay attention to what you eat.
Avoid spicy food with capsaicin(an ingredient found in hot peppers) that increases your body heat and triggers your nerves into producing more sweat.
Instead, choose cooling food items. In traditional Chinese medicine, cooling food results in the clearing of body heat and toxins. On top of that, these types of food cool and calm the blood as well.
Here are a few examples of sweat-reducing foods you might want to try:
1) Tea
Drinking certain types of herbal tea will help cool your body down and stop excessive sweating.
For example, sage tea is noted for being high in magnesium and vitamin B. These nutrients are known to help slow down overactive sweat glands. If you can’t find this product, green tea will work just as well because it also contains the same nutrients.
On top of that, it also contains catechins and tons of antioxidants. All these nutrients in green tea help constrict your sweat glands and keep you calm. You can make cool tea by steeping it ahead and adding ice.
2) Banana
Bananas are a great option for an individual who sweats easily. This fruit is not just delicious, but it is an astringent food.
What does that mean? Bananas have the power to cause your tissues to shrink. When that occurs, your body absorbs more water and cools your core.
When your basal body temperature goes down, you can expect to sweat less because your body won’t have to perspire to cool itself. Besides, bananas are rich in potassium, magnesium, and vitamin B6 which help you stay hydrated. They’re also portable, making them a great energy food and cooling snack for those on the go.
3) Soy
Soy is not just rich in protein, but it is also loaded with magnesium. Here’s a noteworthy tidbit: even a small magnesium deficiency can result in excessive sweating.
Magnesium restricts the sweat glands. You can readily incorporate soy in your diet to address a sweat issue.
You can drink it plain as soy milk or include it in smoothies. Also, you can use firm tofu for stir-fries, fried rice, stews, etc. Silken tofu can also be morphed into desserts like mousse or cream pie.
4) Low Fat Dairy Products
You may be wondering why eating low-fat dairy products is an excellent way to combat excessive sweat.
The answer lies in its key nutrient which is calcium. This mineral can help your body regulate its temperature. On top of that, calcium has the power to suppress sweating.
But remember, choose low-fat items because high-fat food takes longer to digest, causing your body to eventually heat up and sweat.
For best results, use only low-fat or fat-free milk, cheese, or yogurt. Better yet, hit two birds with one stone, by getting extra sweat protection and a sweet treat with fat-free ice cream.
5) Grains
Whole grains are the best choice for you if you sweat a lot. That’s because processed foods are more difficult to digest. Your body works much harder to break them down.
As a result, your body temperature rises and you sweat. In contrast, eating whole grains is gentler on your digestive system. These fiber-rich products take time to digest, so your system doesn’t go into overdrive.
Besides, eating whole grains comes with many other benefits like promoting heart health, losing weight, and improving gut health. All these factors will work together to improve your quality of life. With lesser fats and an optimally working system, your body will work less and sweat less.
6) Sweet Potatoes
This powerhouse tuber regulates your blood sugar. As a result, you feel full longer and kick your cravings away. And because it’s digested slowly, your body won’t go into overdrive, overheat, and result in excess sweating.
The nutrients in these complex carbohydrates have the power to calm nerves, lower blood pressure, and combat stress. All these three elements are common culprits for excessive sweating.
Mix boiled or baked potatoes with salads and proteins or enjoy them alone with fat-free cheese. Just don’t fry them, otherwise, they will make you sweat because metabolic heat is needed to break down fat.
How to Treat Hyperhidrosis
When you feel miserable because of excessive sweating, there is no need to endure and suffer.
If you find your shirts ridden with sweat stains or you can’t hold paper without getting it wet, you may want to consult your doctor to assess if you have hyperhidrosis.
Getting to the root of the problem is key to finding a lasting solution. Besides, if you have this condition, there are several treatment options for you, such as the following:
1) Clinical Strength Antiperspirant
Your physician can prescribe a high-strength prescription antiperspirant, which typically is not available over the counter. Fortunately, there are also other safe products that proffer the same clinical strength for sweat control without requiring an RX. You can even readily buy them online. Check our high-rated antiperspirant for excessive sweating that’s tough on sweat but gentle on your skin.
2) Surgical Procedure
In very extreme cases where sweating won’t stop even with a strong antiperspirant, surgery is an option. Your doctor may choose among these different procedures based on your needs:
- Sweat gland removal
- Microwave therapy
- Nerve surgery
Only your physician can determine if surgery is essential. This is the last resort because it’s invasive. Together with your doctor, you must evaluate the pros and cons of undergoing surgery as a cure for excessive perspiration.
3) Lifestyle Adjustments
When you have unusual amounts of sweat, make lifestyle changes to combat the problem.
Eating smaller and more frequent meals allows for easier digestion. Every time your digestive system works, it releases metabolic heat and sweat.
The bigger your meal, the harder your gut works, so eat more veggies and grains, while cutting out fat. It will also help if you choose loose clothes with breathable materials. Getting a good night’s rest can also cut sweating as it makes you less anxious and stressed. And of course, cut that smoking habit!
4) Medication
Your doctor can also prescribe a combination of medications to combat excess sweat. You can be given prescription pills that block chemicals that allow certain nerves to interact, which can reduce sweating.
If you’re anxious and it contributes to your hyperhidrosis, antidepressants can help address the issue.
Alternatively, botox injections can also temporarily block nerves that release sweat for 6 months. Discuss the pros and cons of each plus potential side effects so you can make an educated choice.
When Should You Look for Medical Advice
When sweat becomes agonizing for you and affects your mental and emotional well-being, seeking medical help is a good way to get to the root of the problem.
When the idea of how not to sweat takes over your day-to-day, it’s worth seeing a professional or at least trying a product that has been proven to work.
Duradry is Here for You!
Feeling anxious about how to stop excessive sweating? Look no further because we’ve got the best clinical strength antiperspirant. It works just the same as prescription products because they contain the same active ingredient.
This potent product will stop excessive sweat no matter the reason, whether it’s due to low blood sugar, pregnancy, thyroid issues, or even medication.
There’s a reason why our 3-step system has received 4.9 stars - simply put, it works!
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Stop Sweating at Night?
Worried about how to stop sweating at night? That’s easy to solve. First, set your room’s ambient temperature to a comfortable level.
Next, make sure you have a relaxing shower before hitting the sack. Don’t use excessively hot water. Once dry, slather your armpits with a good antiperspirant.
Then, wear loose, breathable sleepwear. Finally, make it a point not to eat a heavy meal before sleeping and steer clear of spicy food. An overactive digestive system that’s full of spices can make you sweat.
What to Drink to Stop Excessive Sweating?
It’s a no-brainer. If you want to sweat less, drink lots of water. Drink 8 glasses per day, and more if you live in a hot climate, sweat a lot, or take medications.
With water, you keep your body cool and well-regulated. Your sweat glands won’t go into overdrive and kick your sweat response into high gear to lower your body’s internal temp.
Fresh tomato juice and sage tea will also work wonders as they’re rich in nutrients that minimize sweat.
What Can I Use for Sweaty Armpits?
Sweaty armpits are the bane of a heavy sweater’s existence. After all, it’s embarrassing when people see your sleeves covered in stains.
You can’t help but wonder if people question your hygiene habits or think you’re stinky. Fortunately, you can apply clinical-grade antiperspirants that block the ducts and flow of sweat into the surface of the skin.
You can also use disposable armpit pads with adhesives for your clothes and skin to absorb excessive wetness.
Why do My Armpits Sweat so Much?
Do you wonder: Why do I sweat a lot? You could be suffering from hyperhidrosis or excessive sweating due to many factors like hormonal issues, pregnancy, menopause, heart disease, cancer, etc.
This condition can also stem from feeling anxious, experiencing tons of stress, eating spicy food, suffering a magnesium deficiency, smoking, and wearing non-breathable clothes.
If you want to find out the root of your embarrassing problem and seek the appropriate treatment, speak with a medical professional.