eTopical Precious Finds
Here’s how to stop underarm sweating and odor fast at home naturally. Can surgery be used to cure excessive underarm sweating? Here is a comprehensive insight on how to stop sweaty armpits with treatments, surgery and natural remedies.
How to Stop Excessive Underarm Sweating
Excessive underarm sweating, or axillary hyperhidrosis, can be embarrassing. Imagine having to walk around with a wet patch under the armpits or even smelly armpits thanks to skin bacteria. Here is how to stop excessive underarm sweating:
Antiperspirants: Antiperspirants are formulations that reduce the production of sweat by targeting the sweat glands directly as opposed to deodorants, which only mask the body odor caused by metabolic breakdown of sweat by bacteria.
According to The International Hyperhidrosis Society, antiperspirants for stopping excessive underarm sweating range from “regular” Over-the-counter antiperspirants to “Clinical strength” Over-the-counter antiperspirants (e.g. Secret, Gillette, etc.) and prescription antiperspirants.
It is advisable to start with the mildest formulation, that is regular OTC antiperspirants for excessive underarm sweating and move up the ladder if the need be.
Prescription strength antiperspirants have the strongest formulation and are as you guessed available under prescription from a doctor or any other qualified medical professional.
Oral medications: Oral medications can also be prescribed to reduce underarm sweating. Anticholinergic medications such as Robinul are the most commonly used. These work by blocking the action of acetylcholine, the neurotransmitter that stimulates the sweat glands. They may however cause side-effects such as blurred vision, dry mouth, and constipation.
Iontophoresis: This non-invasive hyperhidrosis treatment technique utilizes star and electric current to induce a mild shock and stimulate temporary closure of sweat glands. However exactly that happens is not well understood but a success rate of 83 percent has been reported with iontophoresis according to the American Academy of Dermatology.
Various treatment sessions are however required for optimum results; usually 9 to 10 sessions of about 15 to 30 minutes each.
Botulinum toxin injection: Otherwise known as Botox, this hyperhidrosis treatment technique involves injecting low doses of botulinum toxin which is produced by the Clostridium botulinum bacteria that causes botulism. It works by blocking the nerves that stimulate sweating.
According to WebMD, Botox has a success rate of more than 90 percent but it is typically very painful and may sometimes necessitate local anesthesia.
Sweat glands removal: A medical device called miraDry System can also be used to remove problematic sweat glands using electromagnetic energy. The device is however not approved for use on any other part of the body other than the armpits.
Surgery can also be used to stop excessive underarm sweating but is speared for the last spot when all other treatments have failed since it carries the risk of compensatory sweating whereby increased sweating occurs in other area of the body.
The following procedures may be used for surgery as a way on how to stop underarm sweating:
– Excision: Cutting out the sweat glands
– Curettage: Scraping out the sweat glands
– Laser treatment: Tissue containing sweat glands is liquefied
– Liposuction: The glands are sucked out
These surgical techniques can be used alone or in a combination to stop excessive armpit sweat.
Tips to Stop Underarm Sweating and Odor
How do you stop underarm sweating and odor? Sweat is often associated with body odor. This is usually the result of bacterial action on the proteins and fats contained in the sweat secreted by apocrine glands found in the armpits and groin. Here are some tips to stop underarm sweating and odor that accompanies the problem:
- Avoid caffeinated beverages and spicy foods
- Check on your weight as extra weight can lead to an increase in sweating according to the Mayo Clinic
- Apply antiperspirants and deodorants for underarms. Armpit deodorants mask the body odor associated with sweating while antiperspirants target the sweat glands and reduce the extent of sweating which then helps thus reduce bacterial action associated with it resulting in less body odor
- Bath regularly to reduce the number of bacteria on your skin and thus reduce body odor.
- Wear clothes made of breathable natural materials such as cotton, linen, wool, and silk to allow adequate circulation of air on your skin. these materials also help to absorb excess sweat
- Learn to reduce and manage stress in your life by using techniques such as meditation, yoga, biofeedback etc since stressful moments often trigger underarm sweating. Taking a deep breath also helps in stressful situations.
How to Stop Underarm Sweating Naturally
Can you stop underarm sweating naturally at home? What remedies can you use? Nature is never short of ingredients to help us with common problems and that applies to axillary hyperhidrosis as well. Here is how to stop underarm sweating naturally:
Lime juice for underarms: Lime juice is a natural deodorant that is also believed to help to reduce armpit sweating by tighten the skin. The smaller key limes are touted to be particularly powerful.
Steps to Stop Sweaty Armpits with Lime Juice
- Cut a key lime into two halves
- Rub the limes on your armpits to cover the entire area with their juice
- Allow the skin to dry naturally and leave the juice intact overnight
Lemon juice can also be used as a remedy to stop sweaty armpits at home.
Witch hazel: The astringent properties of witch hazel may help to constrict skin pores and reduce sweating. It also helps to lower the pH level of the skin and thus inhibit growth of bacteria responsible for the odor often associated with sweat.
To use this remedy, simple Soak a cotton ball with witch hazel and then dab it on your armpits
Sage: This fragrant herb can as well help to reduce the production of sweat under the armpits. Its antibacterial properties will also help to reduce the number of bacteria thriving on your skin and thus prevent body odor.
Steps for Using Sage to Cure Sweaty Armpits
- Boil four cups of water
- Add 2 tablespoons of dried sage
- Allow it to simmer for 10 minutes and then remove it from heat
- Once cool, use the solution to rinse your armpits
NB: Sage is not recommended for use by pregnant and breast-feeding women.
How to Stop Underarm Sweating Fast Overnight
Can you stop underarm sweating fast enough, maybe overnight? What can you use to prevent underarm sweating for men overnight? “I have recently being experiencing excessive sweat in the armpits. What is the fastest way to stop it?” Jean
This question was sent to us via email by one of our readers.
Well, fast is a relative term and what works for one person may not work so well for another. Anyway using over-the-counter antiperspirants with aluminum salts such as aluminium zirconium among the ingredients is always a safe bet.
If that doesn’t help, you may want to talk to your doctor or a dermatologist (skin expert).
S/he may recommend prescription antiperspirant such as Drysol, oral medications (which reduce sweating as a side effect), or (Botox) botulinum toxin injection. Surgical interventions such as sweat gland removal may as well be considered if everything else fails.
How to Stop Underarm Sweating for Men
Getting drenched at the gym feels great but at the office? Not at all. Unfortunately, this is a common problem among men – as a matter of fact men tend to sweat more than women. If you have been Googling how to stop underarm sweating for men, here’s a few tips for you.
The steps involved in stopping excessive sweating for men are essentially no different to those used for women. Most men however prefer and look for products with a mild, masculine fragrance. You can use male antiperspirants to fix excessive underarm sweat for men.
We sought to find out some of the most popular antiperspirant brands among men and Dove, Secret, and Gillette stood out.
How to Stop Sweaty Armpits with Baking Soda
Can you use baking soda to stop sweaty underarms? Baking soda is a fantastic ingredient in as far as home remedies are concerned. Besides helping to relieve sunburn and itchy scalps, baking soda can help to control excessive sweating. Here is how to stop sweaty armpits with baking soda:
- Pour a tablespoon of baking soda in a small basin
- Add enough water to make a fine paste
- Apply the paste to your armpits (preferably shaven or with trimmed hair) and allow it to sit on for 10 to 15 minutes
- Rinse the paste with cold water
- Repeat the process for several days
These methods on how to stop underarm sweating are effective for men and women who want to reduce the amount of sweat that the sweat glands produce to help normalize their armpit sweat and get rid of armpit odor.
