Underarm sweating - any tips?

MoogleGod

So, ever since puberty I've had issues w/ underarm sweating (I'm 24 now). It doesn't matter what type of climate I'm in - obviously some are worse than others - but it still happens on a daily basis (to the point where I come home from work w/ pit stains almost daily - I work in an air-conditioned office). Nothing really aggravates it, and I've found I sweat the same amount as if I've been playing videogames, working, or watching TV (all non-aerobic activities). I've tried several different non-prescription anti-perspirants w/o much success. Also, I've always been in pretty good shape (I lift weights 4 times a week, 6 ft 1 inch, 180 lbs) and I eat a fairly healthly diet (lots of fruit, vegetables, lean meats, no fast food, no sugary soda).

As I'm writing this, I've gone ahead and made an appointment with a dermatologist to try and get a prescription anti-perspirant.

What I'm wondering is - has anybody else dealt with this by making changes to their lifestyle, diet, or found some anti-perspirant that worked well?

As a note, I've heard of the surgery route where they can basically 'kill' your sweat glands but I'm pretty leary of that because I don't want to create an actual health concern (when what I have now is basically just a social concern).

Demerdar

I would say go the prescription anti-perspirant route. Sounds like you have some over-productive sweat glands. It should fix it.

saltiness

I had this problem. I tried many different anti-perspirants and nothing really worked. I got these electro-zapper things of which I forget the name and they worked a little but I got tired of using them after a few months. In the end I've found that quitting caffeine and getting lots of cardio exercise has helped me a lot. I ride my bike 80-100 miles a week.

EskimoDave

focal hyperhidrosis is the term.

You can get 'over the counter' antiperspirant with aluminium chloride in it. Follow the directions. It should help. Its what the prescription stuff uses. If you get an irritation from it try using a moisturizer or hydrocortisone on it.

dispatch.o

I recommend trying some different fabric undershirts, some pull moisture away so it can evaporate which can help with the dryness a little. Do you wear a hat? I sweat like a fiend if I wear a hat indoors at all.

EggyToast

I shaved my pits and it fixed my problem. I used to often have "damp" pits after any kind of exercise, or even just a humid environment. So I shaved my pits and now I'm less sweaty, less stinky, and when I do sweat it dries out faster.

I also tend to wreck the pits of my shirts less often, too (with those crusty pit-patches that t-shirts tend to get over time).

Satsumomo

I used this product called Drysol, I think it's prescription over there in the U.S.

I used it for 3 days, then gave it a rest for 2 weeks, then 3 more days. After that I only need to reapply once every 2 months approximately, and use normal antiperspirant.

Elin

Baby powder is what I used. I had the same issue all through HS. I don't know when it went away really but it did eventually.

bowen

You may also have a thyroid (or a number of endocrine systems) issue that's causing your hyperhidrosis. Get it checked by a doctor.

SeñorAmor

I had the same problem. Axilary Hyperhidrosis is the correct term for excessive underarm sweating. I even made a thread about it awhile back.

I tried everything. Shaving, Sure-Dri, OTC "strong" anti-perspirants, exercising, diet change... nothing worked. So I went to my doctor and had him run all the usual tests and nothing out of the ordinary showed up. Diabetes and thyroid problems run in my family but I came back clean. He said it could be stress-related (I work in IT, very stressful), but prescribed Hypercare for me. Within 1 day of using it, I noticed results. I sweat like normal now, and if I have any excessive sweating, an application of Hypercare before I go to bed has me good for a couple weeks. This bottle will last me forever.

In case your doc doesn't know it by the Hypercare name (that's what's printed on my box), it's a solution of "Aluminum Chloride (Hexahydrate) 20% w/v in Anhydrous Ethyl Alcohol (S.D. Alcohol 40) 93% v/v"

Hope this helps.

Rook

EggyToast wrote: »

I shaved my pits and it fixed my problem. I used to often have "damp" pits after any kind of exercise, or even just a humid environment. So I shaved my pits and now I'm less sweaty, less stinky, and when I do sweat it dries out faster.

I also tend to wreck the pits of my shirts less often, too (with those crusty pit-patches that t-shirts tend to get over time).

Yeah, I definitely think that not having a scuzzball of hair there trapping in excess heat and keeping all the bacteria/moisture locked in helps. The other thing that works for me is making sure there's not much skin-on-skin contact, e.g. t-shirts art tight in at the pits so there's a layer of fabric rather than direct contact.

bowen

Topical Aluminum Chloride Hexahydrate should be enough if you can't recite all that to them even from paper.

Drysol, Hypercare, and Xerac AC are all alternate drugs of this type.

EggyToast

For those reading this thread who don't have serious problems, or if the OP has a less severe case than some other people, it's also worthwhile to change up your deodorants regularly as well. Many of them have different active ingredients, and your body can "get used to" one if you use it consistently.

I now alternate between two, both of which have different active ingredients, and it really helps. Whenever I'm feeling slimy one day, I just make a mental note to use the "other" deodorant the next day.

Hermus

Man, I've been having the exact same problem the last few years (I'm 20). I've tried every antiperspirant you can imagine to no avail, including the prescription shit. I used to drink a shitload of coffee, but when I stopped doing that, I realized the sweating wasn't nearly as bad. Do you drink much caffeine daily?

MoogleGod

Thanks for the responses all

I do drink caffeine almost daily (2-3 8-oz diet sodas) - but even that isn't much caffeine compared to drinking coffee. As far as switching up deodorants - that's something I haven't tried, also haven't tried shaving the pits. As far as general health, I've had a physical w/in the last 6 months (tested blood sugar as well) and everything was okay.

As far as people seeing a doctor for something like this, is a dermatolgist the best one to see? The dermatologists in my area (and that are covered by my health insurance) have appointments scheduled like 2-3 months out (damn teenagers and their acne :P). Can I get the same help from just a general family practioner - or should I hold out and wait for a dermatologist?

That_Spoony_Bard

You *might* be able to get a Rx from your GP depending on your relationship with them and their knowledge of drugs relating to the problem. It never hurts to try (just might lose out on a co-pay).

DrZiplock

Wait for the dermo. He's going to be the one who is more versed in this particular problem.

Hlubocky

Yeah, definitely check out stuff like Certain-Dri. This worked wonders for me. Also, don't get the generic version or your pits will be burning like the satan hell-fire.

Ohio

Certain Dri is the answer. I promise you.

SeñorAmor

Ohio wrote: »

Certain Dri is the answer. I promise you.

Please take this with a grain of salt. Certain Dri/Sure-Dri was NOT the answer for me. It gave me horrible, HORRIBLE underarm sores.

Hlubocky

SeñorAmor wrote: »

Ohio wrote: »

Certain Dri is the answer. I promise you.

Please take this with a grain of salt. Certain Dri/Sure-Dri was NOT the answer for me. It gave me horrible, HORRIBLE underarm sores.

For sure you have to be careful with how much you apply. Too much and your armpits will be itching and burning terribly. It sounds like you may have had some adverse reaction to the chemical in the product however.

Dr. Frenchenstein

anti perspirants made me sweat more if you believe it. and i left like, crusty, caked on pitt stains on shirts. I just use deodorant now, and i've really got no issues. i still get the yellow stains eventually, but it takes years, and they aren't crusty.

bowen

Most deodorants actually create a layer that keeps heat and moisture in.

Not to mention aluminium reactions are absolutely fantastic!