Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Using antiperspirant
• Method 2 of 3: Reduce sweatiness
• Method 3 of 3: Medical treatments
• Tips
• Warnings

Sweating under your armpits can be very frustrating and dirty, but knowing how to control the situation will keep you dry and confident. Deodorant only masks the odor of sweat, so if you want to combat the sweating yourself, you need to take steps to target the sweat glands under your arms. Learn how to use antiperspirants properly, how to make lifestyle changes, and what drastic medical options are available.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Using antiperspirant

1. Diagnose your problem correctly. Before you buy the same deodorant again, consider what your problem actually is, so that you can get the right product. For some people, body odor is the biggest problem, for others it is the dirty wet spots in their clothes that make them feel ashamed.
   • If you suffer from body odor and sweat stains, you have to tackle both problems individually. Deodorant doesn't stop your armpits from sweating, it just masks the smell.
   • Without medical intervention you can never completely stop the sweating of your body. If your body can no longer remove salts and toxins through the skin, you would die.
2. Buy the right product for your problem. Depending on the problem, you may need a deodorant, an antiperspirant, or a combination of both, or you may need to talk to your doctor about using a more potent antiperspirant.
   • If you have a problem with your body odor, you need a deodorant with gentle, natural ingredients that mask the odor, and you need to take other hygiene measures that will solve the problem. Read on in the general hygiene section for more tips.
   • If you have a problem with sweat stains, most store-bought products that contain aluminum chloride hexahydrate will be effective enough to control the amount of sweat under your armpits.
3. Try making your own natural deodorant. Recent research has linked aluminum-based antiperspirants to breast cancer and other health problems. There is still a lot of disagreement on this issue, but it is understandable that many people prefer to use something natural on their bodies. All-natural deodorants exist, but you can also make your own to control underarm sweating.
   • Mix equal parts baking soda with water to make a sweating paste, apply under the armpits and leave for 20-30 minutes. Then rinse it off with water.
   • Use apple cider vinegar to neutralize the bacteria that cause the sweat odor. This dries out the armpits, causing the armpits to sweat less and stay drier.
   • Try a lemon juice and tomato pulp mixture before going to bed. Leave it on for 15 minutes.
   • Make a paste of walnut leaves and eucalyptus.
   • Some people believe that sage tea helps cool the body so that you sweat less.
4. Apply the products correctly. If you suffer from sweaty armpits, you should apply the antiperspirant or deodorant to clean armpits before going to sleep, when you get up and always after showering. Wash your underarms with soap and water, dry them well and then apply a thin layer of deodorant or antiperspirant.
   • Some people only put on deodorant before going out or before getting dressed. If your armpits are already sweating, there is nothing you can do about it. You must first clean your armpits well.
   • If you find yourself already sweating, don't put any more deodorant on it, because that won't help. Wash your underarms with soap and water first, try to cool yourself down, then put on deodorant.

Method 2 of 3: Reduce sweatiness

1. Shower more often. Controlling underarm sweat takes more than just deodorant. You have to keep your body clean and dry. If you suffer from sweaty armpits, you should shower at least once, but maybe twice a day.
   • If it's hot in the summer, wait to get dressed after showering. Make sure you are completely dry and let your body cool down before you get dressed or you will start sweating again immediately.
2. Wash your shirts every day. Especially if you've been sweating in a shirt, you should wash it before putting it back on. Again, the body odor is not caused by the sweat itself, but by the bacteria left in it when it dries up.
   • If you don't wash sweat from your clothes, the bacteria will build up, making it stink more and more. It is very important to wash the clothes often.
   • If you really sweat a lot, put on a new shirt in the middle of the day. If you sweat a lot at work, bring clean shirts in your bag.
3. Wear a shirt or shirt under your clothes. A clean white shirt can absorb extra sweat, keeping your outer layer of clothing clean. If you sweat a lot, an extra layer of clothing is good to prevent you from seeing wet spots.
   • Make sure to wash those undershirts often to avoid unpleasant smells.
4. Shave your armpits. If you sweat a lot, shaving your armpits can help. It won't make your armpits cooler or sweat less, but the sweat won't get stuck in your hair, so the odor will be less.
   • It's important to note that your body hair, including your underarm hair, can actually keep your body cooler when it's hot outside by trapping the sweat, which cools down once it evaporates. If you shave your hair, the sweat will not get stuck in your hair, but you may sweat a little more because it is warmer.
5. Change your diet. Strong-smelling foods and certain other foods can affect the way your sweat smells, according to recent research. If you tend to sweat a lot, it's important to keep an eye on your diet.
   • Onions, garlic, and other foods in that family can give sweat a sulfur-like, pungent odor when it dries. Some spices such as cumin and curry powder can also be found in the sweat scent, as are cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage or broccoli.
   • If you eat a lot of red meat, dairy or alcohol, your sweat will also get a pungent smell that many people themselves get used to over time.
   • Capsaicin, which is in red pepper, stimulates the nerve receptors in your mouth just like real heat, making your body think it's hot. Your hypothalamus then sends out a signal that you need to sweat.
6. Exercise to lower your BMI (body-mass index). If you have to carry more weight, your body will sweat more to stay cool. If you suffer from underarm sweat a lot, this may be remedied by exercising a little more and losing weight. Sweat everything out by exercising.
   • The best and fastest way to lose weight is to exercise more and eat fewer calories. Try to eat more lean proteins such as legumes, chicken and eggs, more whole grains and vegetables, and cut down on fried foods, dairy and red meat.
   • Stay hydrated throughout the day and start exercising slowly. First take long walks in the morning and evening, then take a shower to rinse off the sweat and cool off well.

Method 3 of 3: Medical treatments

1. Talk to your doctor about treatment methods. Axillary hyperhidrosis is the clinical name for excessive sweating, and several treatment options are available. You may have to try aluminum-based remedies first, but there are many stronger therapies available if the situation is very serious.
   • In some cases, oral anticholinergic agents such as Rubinol are prescribed, which reduce sweating, especially under the armpits.
2. Consider iontophoresis therapy. This form of electrotherapy consists of two to four 20-minute sessions per week. Water sends a weak electrical current across the skin, which can help with excessive sweating for several weeks to months. Although this therapy gives variable results and can be a bit annoying, it sometimes works very well.
3. Consider thoracic sympathectomy as a last resort. In this treatment, a small endoscopic instrument is inserted under the armpit to cut the sympathetic nerve that causes sweating. This treatment is effective, but risky, because the side effects can include breathing complications, nerve damage, and the risk of sweating excessively in other parts of the body.
4. Consider Botox as a long-term solution. Botox injections can combat underarm sweating for up to six months, although it may not work as well for some people. This should only be considered if you sweat very badly under the armpits as the treatments are very expensive and can be painful.
   • There is no proven link between Botox and sweating, and it is not advisable to have this treatment done if not performed by a doctor.

Tips

• Let your deodorant dry completely before getting dressed.
• Shaving your armpits can help if you haven't already.
• If you wear cotton clothing, you will automatically sweat less.
• Sometimes it helps to put on deodorant in the evening before going to sleep.
• Keep putting on deodorant for as long as necessary.
• It helps to immediately put talcum powder under your armpits after showering.

Warnings

• Oral medications have many potential side effects, such as dry mouth and vision problems. Many people forgo this method because of these possible side effects.