8 Ways to Stop Excessive Armpit Sweating

There’s nothing discrete about excessive armpit sweating. And with the obvious wet or sweat-stained clothing and worrisome body odor, it’s easy to feel uncomfortable, frustrated, and embarrassed.

Excessive armpit sweating is a condition known as axillary hyperhidrosis, and more people deal with this condition than you think. According to St. Louis University, 2.8% of Americans are living with hyperhidrosis to some degree. There is good news, though. If you’re living with axillary hyperhidrosis, there are eight ways you can help reduce frustrating excessive armpit sweating:

Antiperspirants are your first line of defense when it comes to excessive armpit sweating problems. There are various forms of antiperspirants—ranging from regular to clinical-strength over-the-counter antiperspirants to prescription-level antiperspirants. Antiperspirants contain aluminum salts that essentially sit on top of the sweat glands to block perspiration.

Heavy or tight-fitting clothing can increase perspiration. By wearing lighter clothing, both in weight and in color, you’re allowing your skin more oxygen to breathe. It’s important you also select clothing made from moisture-wicking, breathable materials, so they work with your sweating by absorbing it, rather than leaving it to sit on your skin and build odor-inducing bacteria. Look for materials like cotton, wool, silk, or polypro.

We all know that hydration is key to overall health, but you may not realize how helpful it is for your body’s natural cooling system. Reach for that water bottle as often as possible!

While you may enjoy a spicy lunch at work or happy hour cocktails at the end of a long work day, you may not appreciate how they encourage more body sweating. Spicy foods, caffeine, and alcohol all promote perspiration. Steering clear of these sweat-triggering foods may help you reduce profuse armpit sweating.

If the above “at-home” remedies for reducing excessive armpit sweating don’t offer you relief, it may be time to consult your primary doctor or dermatologist. There are various anticholinergic medications, both topical and oral, that stop the activation of sweat glands. For example, QBrexza® is a topical anticholinergic wipe that has shown some powerful results with axillary hyperhidrosis. Be sure to consult with your doctor about whether anticholinergics are a suitable treatment for you.

While BOTOX® is often associated with smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles, these injections are particularly helpful at temporarily preventing the nerves from stimulating the sweat glands that produce sweat. It may take a few injection treatments, but the sweat-reducing results typically last anywhere from six months to a year! Be sure to talk with a skincare professional who specializes in administering injections specifically for excessive sweating.

miraDry® has proven to be the most effective treatment for excessive armpit sweating. This FDA-approved treatment is incredibly safe and uses controlled, non-invasive electromagnetic energy to eliminate sweat and odor glands from the armpit area. While this is a powerful treatment, it is currently used to treat only excessive sweating of the armpits.

While other treatment methods are often preferred and recommended, surgical procedures are viable options for individuals living with axillary hyperhidrosis. Surgery can entirely remove the sweat glands through excision or suction curettage, while endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS) can “disconnect” the nerve from signaling the sweat glands. Most of these procedures should be considered a last resort treatments due to being more invasive and typically irreversible. Be sure to work closely with your doctor to see what options are best for you.

At Pinnacle Dermatology, our team of experienced dermatological specialists understand the frustration and embarrassment that results from profuse armpit sweating, and we’ll work with you to create a customized treatment approach to help you achieve your skincare goals and reduce excessive armpit sweating. To learn more about miraDry® and our other services and treatments for axillary hyperhidrosis, contact us today to schedule an appointment, or visit one of our Pinnacle Dermatology locations to talk with one of our skin specialists!