10 Proven Methods to Prevent Underarm Perspiration

It’s your first day at a new job, and you’ve done everything to ensure a smooth start. A full night’s rest? Done. A nutritious breakfast? Done. A crisp, ironed shirt? Done. Yet, as you arrive to meet your colleagues, an old foe resurfaces: underarm sweat. Dark patches begin to form and spread beneath your arms, threatening to undermine your confidence before you even sit down at your desk.

Perspiration is a vital mechanism that helps maintain the body’s temperature, particularly during physical activity or in warm environments. As sweat evaporates from the skin, it dissipates heat, cooling the body. However, this process can be disrupted by medical conditions that trigger abnormal sweating. Hyperhidrosis can also be influenced by emotional triggers or specific situations: If you’ve ever drenched your shirt while giving a speech or meeting important people, you’ve encountered situational sweating.

With over 2 million sweat glands distributed across the body, why does sweating seem most noticeable under the arms? The apocrine glands, found primarily in the armpits, are highly active sweat producers. The sweat from these glands contains proteins and fatty acids, making it thicker and giving it a milky or yellowish hue. This explains why underarm stains on clothes often appear yellow.

While sweat is naturally odorless, the interaction between bacteria on the skin and the proteins and fatty acids in sweat creates an unpleasant smell. Managing underarm perspiration is crucial for maintaining hygiene, comfort, and social confidence. Thankfully, there are numerous methods to reduce both the wetness and odor associated with excessive sweating.

10: Use an Antiperspirant

Incorporate the use of an antiperspirant into your daily routine. Many individuals rely on antiperspirants or deodorants to manage underarm sweat and avoid unpleasant odors before heading out.

What distinguishes deodorants from antiperspirants? Deodorants mask odors, while antiperspirants are formulated to reduce sweat production. Deodorants have a long history, dating back over 5,000 years, when ancient civilizations used fragrant oils to conceal body odor. These early solutions gradually developed into the sophisticated perfumes we know today. Antiperspirants, which utilize aluminum chloride to inhibit sweat, emerged in the early 1900s and gained rapid popularity. Their forms have since diversified, ranging from pads and squeeze bottles to sticks, gels, roll-ons, and soft solids [source: Abrutyn].

Today, the market offers an overwhelming variety of antiperspirants and deodorants, catering to all preferences. Options tailored for men, women, and teens are readily available. Additionally, advanced formulations with higher concentrations of aluminum compounds—the key ingredient that temporarily blocks sweat glands—are now accessible [source: Humphries]. Discover how antiperspirants function and explore prescription-strength solutions for those with stubborn sweat glands on the following page.

9: Opt for Prescription Strength

If over-the-counter antiperspirants fail to keep your underarms dry, a prescription-strength option might be necessary. Those struggling with excessive sweating often benefit from antiperspirants with higher levels of aluminum chloride hexahydrate. While standard products contain 10 to 25 percent of this ingredient, prescription versions boast 30 to 45 percent aluminum chloride.

When applied, antiperspirants with aluminum chloride require sweat to function effectively. Even minimal perspiration helps dissolve the antiperspirant into tiny particles that can enter sweat ducts. The aluminum chloride then temporarily blocks these ducts, reducing sweat production [source: International Hyperhidrosis Society].

Did you know that applying antiperspirant at a specific time of day can enhance its effectiveness?

8: Modify Your Routine

The underarm area, despite being a major sweat producer, has sensitive skin. Antiperspirants, particularly those with high aluminum chloride concentrations, can often irritate the skin. To prevent itching or discomfort, avoid applying these products immediately after shaving or following a hot shower, as open pores can increase sensitivity.

For best results, apply antiperspirant to dry, cool underarms before bedtime. Nighttime application is ideal because sweating is minimal during rest, allowing the product to absorb effectively. Leave it on for at least eight hours, and follow up with a morning application for enhanced effectiveness [source: International Hyperhidrosis Society].

Even the most potent antiperspirant won’t work well if your skin is constantly covered by fabrics that trap heat and moisture. Discover which materials promote better airflow and keep your skin cool on the next page.

7: Opt for Breathable Fabrics

Your wardrobe choices play a key role in managing sweat. Natural fabrics such as cotton, wool, hemp, silk, or linen have looser weaves compared to synthetic materials, allowing better airflow to your skin. These fibers also absorb moisture effectively, preventing bacteria from thriving on sweat and causing unpleasant odors.

On the other hand, synthetic fabrics like nylon, rayon, and polyester have tighter weaves that trap heat, increasing perspiration. Additionally, moisture doesn’t evaporate as quickly with synthetics, creating a greenhouse effect that locks heat and sweat against your skin [source: Dyce].

However, not all synthetic fabrics are unsuitable for heavy sweaters. Bamboo, lyocell, and modal, derived from plant cellulose, mimic the properties of natural fabrics. There are also advanced microfiber materials engineered to wick moisture away from the skin to the fabric’s surface, where it evaporates faster.

Sometimes, certain situations make sweating unavoidable. How can you manage these moments? We’ll share some practical tips for dealing with sweaty scenarios on the next page.

6: Recognize Your Anxiety

Public speaking, first dates, or job interviews are just a few scenarios that can trigger anxiety, causing your underarm sweat glands to work overtime. Anxiety leads to a racing heart, dry mouth, and increased perspiration—a natural fear response designed to prepare your body for potential threats.

However, you don’t need adrenaline-fueled muscles when dining with a date or presenting to colleagues. Excessive sweating in these situations can heighten anxiety, creating a vicious cycle of stress and perspiration [source: Perry].

If the thought of this cycle makes you sweat, try strategies to manage anxiety. Identify your triggers, accept what you can’t control, prioritize eight hours of sleep nightly, and focus on positive thinking [source: Anxiety Disorders Association of America].

Excessive underarm sweating isn’t solely caused by short-term anxiety; chronic stress also plays a significant role. In the next section, we’ll explore strategies to manage and reduce stress effectively.

5: Manage Stress

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise, helps your body cope with long-term stress, function optimally, and keep underarm sweating in check.

Emotions can overwhelm us, especially when dealing with stress from work, finances, or relationships, often leading to excessive sweating. Learning to relax and manage stress is crucial. Techniques like deep breathing, daily meditation, or engaging in enjoyable activities can be beneficial. Aerobic exercise releases tension and boosts confidence, while practices like yoga promote body awareness and calmness [source: Anxiety Disorders Association of America].

Biofeedback, a technique that monitors functions like heart rate and body temperature in real time, can also aid in stress reduction. Additionally, maintaining a balanced diet contributes to overall health. In the next section, discover how your food and drink choices influence your sweating patterns.

4: Adjust Your Diet

Certain foods and drinks can trigger excessive sweating or unpleasant body odor for some individuals. Common offenders include caffeinated beverages, alcohol, garlic, and onions.

If your morning coffee ritual leaves you sweating excessively, you might need to reconsider. The heat from the drink raises your body temperature, prompting sweat production, while caffeine stimulates your nervous system and sweat glands. Opting for iced or decaf coffee could help you avoid this issue [source: WebMD].

Steering clear of specific foods can also aid in managing underarm perspiration. Consuming spicy items, such as peppers with capsaicin, triggers your sweat glands. This happens because the glands misinterpret these signals as your body needing to cool down, prompting them to start sweating [source: Watson].

Conversely, certain foods have properties that can help reduce sweating. Details on these natural solutions will be explored further on the following page.

3: Try a Natural Remedy

Sweating is initiated by the hypothalamus in the brain, which detects increases in the body's core temperature and signals other glands to begin sweating. Drinking cool water can interrupt this process. Proper hydration helps maintain a lower internal body temperature, thereby decreasing the need for sweat. It's important to drink enough water throughout the day to avoid thirst, which indicates dehydration, and to keep your urine light in color. This may require increasing your water intake during hot weather or intense physical activity [source: Vella].

In anticipation of entering environments that may induce sweating, enhancing your antiperspirant with talcum powder or baking soda can be effective. These substances help absorb moisture and combat odor in the underarm area.

A simple fruit can also assist in managing underarm perspiration. Limes, often used in various dishes (and perhaps in margaritas), might also help reduce sweating. Before sleeping, slice a lime and apply it under your arms, ensuring the skin is covered with juice, then allow it to dry. The lime acts as a natural deodorant, and its acidic properties may inhibit sweat production [source: Bassitt].

2: See a Doctor -- Just in Case

Unusual or excessive sweating could indicate an underlying health issue, so consulting a doctor is advisable. Conditions such as heart disease, hyperthyroidism, hypoglycemia, leukemia, menopause, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, tuberculosis, and stress or anxiety disorders can all cause excessive sweating. Additionally, medications like beta blockers and tricyclic antidepressants may also lead to increased perspiration.

A diagnosis of hyperhidrosis might be given if you experience excessive sweating, particularly on the palms, soles, and underarms. This condition can lead to social discomfort and disrupt daily life [source: Griffin]. However, effective treatments are available, which will be covered on the following page.

1: Consider a Medical Solution

For those experiencing underarm sweating so severe that it disrupts daily life and causes social discomfort, consulting a healthcare professional about medical treatments is advisable. Though these options may appear drastic, the potential boost in confidence and comfort can justify the effort.