Tips for Reducing Summertime Sweating

The weather is getting warmer and while many of us are looking forward to sunny days and outdoor fun, for others, summer just means the beginning of the wet season — and we aren’t talking about rain.

If you have an excessive sweating problem, summers can be rough. The average person has 2 to 4 million sweat glands acting as the body’s coolant system to prevent it from overheating. Some people, however, sweat more than others. The majority (90%) of patients report that excessive sweating affects their emotional state. Chronic pit stains can really lower your self-esteem and the more you worry about it, the more you tend to sweat. Here are some basic tips to cure excessive sweating in the summertime.

Tips to Stop Sweating

1. Step up your deodorant game: Try switching to higher-strength deodorants and antiperspirants. There are some strong over-the-counter products, but you may want to go a step further and talk to your doctor about prescriptions. You can also apply your deodorant at night, allowing the ingredients to soak into the sweat duct and clog it. If you apply deodorant in the morning it may just wipe off rather than absorb into your skin.
2. Dress appropriately: In hot weather it is best to wear lightweight, breathable fabrics. Some athletic clothes are made to wick away moisture; they may be more expensive, but they get the job done. Also, change your clothes when needed. You will not stay dry if you are not dry to begin with.
3. Watch what you eat: Some foods, particularly those that are spicy, will affect your level of sweating and/or the smell of your sweat.
4. Avoid hats: A hat is good to shield your scalp from the sun, but it will also trap heat and cause your head to sweat. If you do need to wear a hat, make sure it is breathable.

Hopefully, these tips will help curb some of your excessive perspiration. However, if you still find yourself sweating through your clothes, you may be suffering from a medical condition known as hyperhidrosis. Unfortunately, greater measures will have to be taken to stop hyperhidrosis such as iontophoresis treatment.

As many as 8 million Americans suffer from hyperhidrosis, and they sweat up to four or five times as much as the average person. While the above tips may help to some extent, the best way to cure excessive sweating in hyperhidrosis patients is through specialized treatment prescribed and administered by a dermatologist.