Excessive Underarm Sweating Treatment

by HOO Dermatology

If you’re reading this, then I’m pretty sure you have come across dozens of articles on how to stop or prevent excessive underarm sweating. Perspiration is the body’s only way to regulate its temperature. Sweating is natural, but it’s a pain when you’re dripping sweat when it's not even that hot. Excessive sweating is a medical condition, more formally known as Hyperhidrosis or Axillary Hyperhidrosis.

Many people who grow up with this condition often don’t think that it can be treated. But it can affect the way you feel about yourself. The president of International Hyperhidrosis Society, Professor Vice Chairman of the Dermatology department at Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Dr. Dee Anna Glaser explains, "It affects personal relationships, the ability to be productive at work, intimate relationships, exercise and leisure activities, and really all aspects of life.”

What is the best treatment for excessive underarm sweating?

There are different ways to treat excessive underarm sweating, depending on how severe your condition is. There are several ways to treat excessive underarm sweating, from clinical antiperspirants to seeking professional help from the dermatologist.

The best and fastest way to treat sweaty underarms is by asking medical experts or dermatologists because they can provide the medical diagnosis and provide treatment options. .

There is an excessive underarm sweating treatment called NO SWEAT that HOO dermatology offers patients with Hyperhidrosis using Botulinum Toxin, or what we know today as Botox.

Is botulinum toxin (Botox) FDA approved for hyperhidrosis?

The answer is yes! It is already FDA approved for at least eleven therapeutic indications, which also includes axillary hyperhidrosis or severe underarm sweating. Patients with this kind of medical condition can undergo underarm botox.

Is this your first time hearing this?

Yes, botulinum toxin for underarm sweating is a thing. So how does it really work? Botox in armpits blocks the nerves that are responsible for triggering sweat glands. However, Patients with hyperhidrosis nerves signal the sweat glands not in a normal way but overactive. Now, when botox is injected in the area of your body which commonly sweats, it makes the nerves paralyzed, which means that the nerves won’t be able to signal your sweat glands in producing sweat.

What causes excessive underarm sweating?

There are two kinds of hyperhidrosis: primary, which is mainly under the armpits.
body and secondary which affects the whole body. The cause of excessive sweating actually depends on what is happening to your body. Usually when the body is overheated, moving around a lot, or when you’re feeling emotional the nerves trigger to overreact the sweat glands therefore producing excessive underarm sweat.

What vitamin is good for excessive sweating?

Excessive underarm sweating treatment can also be done through taking vitamins needed by our body. Emotions or stress can cause extra sweating. According to Zeh (2018), from her article on Healthista. Nutritionist Rick Hay revealed several tips on cooling down your body when the temperature is too high, he suggested that taking B-Vitamins can help in reducing stress that is also a cause in sweating by taking this vitamin it can then help reduce extra sweating as it regulates the hormones and keep our stress level under control.

What home remedy can I use to stop excessive sweating?

Natural remedies are one of the best ways to do it, if you’re scared of trying out other forms of treatment..

Drink Vinegar! 

Apple cider vinegar brings a lot of health benefits, including in the skin. Applying apple cider vinegar in the skin can also help kill bacteria and close up pores that can cause sweaty armpits. You can either drink at least one tablespoon of vinegar and one teaspoon of apple cider mix it together before every meal or apply it directly to your skin.

Shave that underarm hair 

Removing your underarm hair can help reduce excessive underarm sweating and body odor. You can also get laser treatment to help reduce this.

Tomato Juice 

Drinking tomato juice or eating raw tomato can also help control excessive sweating. You can also apply tomato juice on your underarms before taking a shower, let it sit for ten minutes then rinse off.

Drink your tea 

Green tea contains magnesium and Vitamin B, which helps you to be calm. This helps prevent stress that could trigger excessive sweating. Another effective tea that you can actually use is black tea, it contains a high tannic-acid content and also antiperspirants properties that help your skin sweat less, brew your usual black tea for 10-15mins, let it cool and with the use of a towel or cotton balls dip it in the tea and apply on your skin. Another way of application is using the tea bag itself on your skin.

Cornstarch and Baking Soda 

Did you know that these are not just cooking ingredients, but also natural water absorbing agents. Some antiperspirants contain baking soda for the very reason also it can kill bacteria and has drying effects. You can apply this by mixing the two agents and apply directly in your dry armpits. Let it sit for thirty minutes then rinse with warm water. Remember not to leave the agents for too long to avoid irritation.

Wheatgrass Juice 

Wheatgrass juice is a natural detoxifier, it is rich in vitamins A,C, B12, B6 and folic acid. A tablespoon of wheatgrass daily neutralizes toxins in the blood, and reduces body odor caused by sweat.

Potassium Rich Foods 

Potatoes and broccoli are foods rich in potassium, that help push water out of the body. Slice a potato then rub across your armpits each day to help sweaty armpits dry. It also has a whitening effect on the underarms.

Tea Tree oil 

Just like vinegar, tea tree oils can kill bacteria that cause underarm sweat. Soak cotton balls in tea tree oil, and rub on your underarms daily to see the effect.

Witch Hazel 

Witch hazel is an astringent and also an antiperspirant, it dries your skin as well as closes the pores to prevent sweaty underarms. Soak liquid witch hazel on a cotton ball and apply on the sweaty areas. Another method is combining equal parts of water and hazel bark powder to make a paste and apply this on your skin. Let it sit for an hour then rinse off with water.

How to stop underarm sweating / how to prevent sweating

Prescription antiperspirants

This contains higher doses of aluminum chloride, which is an ingredient for combating sweat underarms. According to the International Hyperhidrosis Society it has been safely used for over 80 years, when aluminum chloride is combined with water, moisture or sweat it dissolves to form into a gel that acts as a barrier on the skin that reduces the wet feeling from the sweat.

Botulinum Toxin or Botox injections

Recommended with the advice of dermatologists, for patients with severe cases of underarm sweating. The botox blocks the nerves from sending signals to the glands which produces sweats.

Iontophoresis

A procedure whereas It uses a machine to send a mild electric current through water on your skin, Ion produced in iontophoresis helps in blocking the sweat glands from releasing sweat. This procedure is mostly used on hands, feet and underarms.

Surgery

Surgery is also possible to stop underarm sweating. There are two types of surgery, one is to remove the sweat glands, and the other one is endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy, which is used to disrupt the signals from the nerves of the spinal cord to the sweat glands therefore blocking the release of sweats. Experts think surgery should be the last resort due to complications the patients might experience like loss of the feeling of underarm, permanent scars, damage in the nerves and such.

How can I stop sweating so much?

You can also make a few lifestyle changes to reduce sweating

Avoid Spicy foods, caffeine and alcohol as these trigger sweat. 
Wear loose-fitting breathable fabrics instead of synthetic fabrics.  
Use shoes and socks made of natural materials to reduce sweating in the feet clothes on a regular basis to avoid body odour from bacteria and sweat.

Is there a cure for sweaty armpits?

Of course there is a cure for sweaty armpits! There are several treatments to choose from. You can opt for home remedies, prescription antiperspirants, injections and surgery.

How Your Diet Affects Sweating

Poor diet can affect your body. Eat food that can ease digestion and reduce stress.

Water - Keeping your body cool by drinking water helps keep your temperature down  
Eat vegetables that are high in water content. examples are cauliflower, eggplant, red cabbage, peppers, spinach, etc.  
Fruits are also a great source of water and fiber. Fruits like grapes and watermelon can ease digestion and help your metabolism. 
Minerals like calcium help regulate body temperature and are found in dairy products like milk and cheese. Magnesium from foods like almonds, pumpkins and spinach also improves digestion and boosts the immune system. 
Green tea calms the nervous system which can prevent triggering the sweat glands.