Axillary Hyperhidrosis: How Should You Manage It?

Underarm sweating is normal, but also annoying if you experience it frequently.

Sometimes, it’s hard to know if it’s caused by your environment or activities, or if it’s already out of the ordinary. Do you start to notice that your armpits sweat even if it’s not warm? Do you feel like underarm sweat stains start forming on your clothes after just a quick walk outside? If those situations sound familiar to you, then you may have axillary hyperhidrosis of your axillae or armpits.

In the primary type, your excessive sweating problem isn’t caused by any underlying medical condition. In other words, sweating is already the problem that needs to be treated.

Although the exact cause of this condition is unknown, research shows that it might be due to a high sympathetic response, which causes your nerves to go on overdrive, leading to highly stimulated and overactive sweat glands.

Another possible cause of too much armpit sweat is secondary focal hyperhidrosis, which is caused by an underlying medical condition or a side effect of certain medications or food supplements.

Examples of these conditions include pregnancy, diabetes, or hyperthyroidism.

Sometimes, it even boils down to your genes. You may have inherited excessive perspiration from family members who have experienced it in the past.

• You’ll know that you’re excessively sweating when moisture appears on your clothes frequently.
• Sometimes, you may even sweat even when you’re in an environment with neutral weather and you’re not physically exerting yourself.
• Eventually, you adjust your lifestyle, planning your days and the clothes you wear around how much you know you’re going to sweat.
• You stop wearing bright garments to avoid situations where you know you’re going to perspire.
• You also start to get stressed about how uncontrollable your sweating episodes seem, even when you’re already used to it.
• If you can feel yourself nodding along as the list goes on, then what you’re experiencing may already be excessive sweating of your underarms.

Use deodorants and antiperspirants.

Applying any of these two before heading out can go a long way.
These two products have distinct differences. While antiperspirants block your sweat glands temporarily to prevent sweating and keep your underarms dry, deodorants won’t stop you from sweating. It will only mask your body odor, which results from perspiration mingling with bacteria on your skin. Still, a deodorant is your first line of defense against overactive sweat glands.

Change your lifestyle.

Some lifestyle changes that can minimize sweating include watching what you eat and practicing proper hygiene.
As much as possible, avoid foods that emit a pungent smell and shower at least once daily.
Stress can also be a factor. Try to veer away from situations that may cause emotional and mental strain as those can lead to excessive perspiration.

Use natural remedies.

Tons of natural remedies can help you fight excessive sweating and body odor.
The most common are apple cider vinegar and witch hazel since both have astringent properties that temporarily reduce sweat.
To use them, dab them directly to your armpits using a cotton ball.

Try anti-sweating procedures.

If natural remedies and the over-the-counter deodorants don’t seem to be working, it may be time for you to seek professional help and undergo treatment.

For extreme cases, Botox injections are an option. This drug can temporarily paralyze muscles by blocking the nerves that activate your sweat glands.

You can also try undergoing miraDry treatments, a non-invasive laser treatment that destroys sweat glands with heat. It may require a hefty investment, but at the end of the day, investing in your body is well worth it.