Sweating is a normal part of the human life cycle. Each of us carries up to 4 million glands used to emit sweat all over our bodies. People sweat for a myriad of reasons, including:
Most people experience underarm sweating. And while it isn’t something you want to experience at social functions or in the office, it’s perfectly acceptable at the gym. Most individuals manage underarm sweat with store-bought antiperspirants, deodorants, and regular hygiene. But what happens when your sweat is unmanageable?
Axillary hyperhidrosis is when a person experiences underarm sweating at a significantly greater and more chronic level.
Before we get into the cause of and treatments for axillary hyperhidrosis, let’s first examine hyperhidrosis in general. By definition, hyperhidrosis is a condition that causes the body to sweat excessively, even when there is nothing to trigger sweat. The disorder is chronic, causing constant sweating at inappropriate and inopportune times. It can be extremely embarrassing to those affected by it, altering romantic, social, and work lives.
There are two types of hyperhidrosis:
Areas most affected by hyperhidrosis include:
So the official definition is that axillary hyperhidrosis is a medical condition characterized by excessive underarm sweating.
While there are several natural causes for sweat, none of these apply to axillary hyperhidrosis. Research suggests that the condition may be hereditary, as many sufferers have a sibling or parent also experiencing symptoms of the disorder. But in all honesty, nobody knows for sure what causes axillary hyperhidrosis.
Not having an exact cause of primary hyperhidrosis means physicians must find ways to treat the symptoms, rather than the cause. This creates a need for long-term treatment strategies.
Hyperhidrosis is a condition that causes the body to sweat excessively, even when there is nothing to trigger sweat.
Since the discovery of axillary hyperhidrosis people have been wondering how to stop excessive underarm sweating. For many, the answer is medicated deodorant. But advancements in medical technology and research have made it possible to treat axillary hyperhidrosis in various ways.
Since the discovery of mortality, there have been home remedies to heal what ails you. The same can be said for excessive underarm sweating home remedies. Some of these treatments include:
These are a few of the ways to deal with excessive sweat on your own at home. Check out our comprehensive list of home remedies for hyperhidrosis. There are also over-the-counter remedies to try.
One axillary hyperhidrosis treatment is prescription medication. Oral medicines reduce sweating by decreasing the stimulation of your sweat glands. Most prescriptions for underarm sweating include anticholinergics. These medicines block acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter, from sending chemical messages to trigger sweat.
Oral medicines reduce sweating by decreasing the stimulation of your sweat glands.
Another medication used for axillary hyperhidrosis is beta-blockers, which affect your central nervous system. These work best for those who feel they sweat most in situations that cause anxiety.
Finding the right medication for you requires the help of a physician, as each prescription for underarm sweating acts differently on the body.
Alternative methods for oral medication include laser therapy, injections, and medicated wipes. The most common of these are:
As with any medicated treatment, there are benefits and side effects to each. It’s a good idea to speak to your physician about available treatments and how they could affect you long term before selecting one.
Deodorant and antiperspirant have long been the top agent used in the fight against sweat and odors caused by sweat. For those with axillary hyperhidrosis, standard brand antiperspirants aren’t enough. Fortunately, there are prescription antiperspirants that use Aluminum Chloride Hexahydrate available for purchase. The combination of liquid from sweat and Aluminum Chloride Hexahydrate, creates a gel-like substance that blocks pores from emitting sweat.
How you use antiperspirant is just as important as which product you choose. It’s important to clean and dry the area thoroughly before use. The best time to apply medicated antiperspirant is before bed.
Believe it or not, the clothing you wear can also play a role in treating, or masking, excessive sweating. The commonality of this disorder has created an entire movement in the fashion industry for absorbent and breathable materials.
There are many different brands selling clothing that can assist in reducing the visibility of your sweat. Absorbent underclothes are a popular seller because they soak up sweat before it has a chance to reach your outer clothing.
There are also products that repel liquid and stains. These are a great way to manage ongoing sweat throughout the day and keep your clothing longer. At Ejis, we create sweat proof basics that act against hyperhidrosis in several ways. These include:
Having the right clothing in your wardrobe will drastically improve the way you feel about yourself despite this condition.
Knowing you have options to help you live your day-to-day life without the fear of armpit stains and sweat marks is a big deal. Having the right clothing in your wardrobe will drastically improve the way you feel about yourself despite this condition.
There may not be a guaranteed cure for hyperhidrosis but having somebody in your corner striving to create a more comfortable, sweat-free environment helps. From sweat proof undershirts to boxer briefs and dress socks, Ejis will keep you looking your best in any given situation. (Buy from our shopor on Amazon.)
This article was originally published in January 2020, and was updated in September 2020.
Underarm odor stinks – literally! Even if you're using deodorant, there are other ways how to get rid of underarm smell. Learn 9 tips to help reduce armpit odor.
Annoyed with deodorant streaks or stains on your favorite shirts? Learn how to remove deodorant stains from shirts – whether they're white, black, or colored – using many household products.