Sweating too much? Here's some relief

Tips to help you cope with heavy sweating

Sweating - we all do it, but when the heat is on or emotions are high it can turn into an embarrassing problem. Sweating is a natural bodily function. We do it to control our body temperature either when we are exercising, in hot surroundings or if we feel anxious. If you’re worried about how much you are sweating it’s crucial to seek medical advice to rule out whether your sweating is normal or due to some underlying cause like a medical condition, hormone imbalance or reaction to a medication.

"If the sweating is bad enough to interfere with your work or social activities, you should ask your GP for treatment advice," according to Kimberley Carter from the British Association of Dermatologists.
Once anything serious has been ruled out, there are simple steps to help reduce sweating and feel more comfortable.

Here are ways to cope with heavy sweating at the gym, at work and everywhere you go.

Stopping heavy sweating

Here are some tips for stopping your heavy sweating:

Switch to higher-strength deodorants and antiperspirants:

Antiperspirants keep you from sweating and deodorants make you smell nice when you sweat.  Try antiperspirants that are labelled as "clinical strength". Aluminium chloride is the usual active ingredient in over-the-counter antiperspirants.

"Stronger preparations of aluminium chloride can be prescribed for excessive sweating and they should be applied twice daily for best results," says Kimberley Carter.



Apply antiperspirants at the best time:

"These specialist antiperspirants, when applied at night, should be washed off in the morning," according to specialist nurse Julie Halford who runs a hyperhidrosis support group in the UK.

Follow the instructions given on the particular antiperspirant or aluminium chloride solution that you are prescribed.



Slow down:

Try to avoid the situations which you find trigger your sweating, such as hot places or rushing about too much.

Sweating during exercise

Dress to beat sweat: Choose lightweight, breathable fabrics such as cottons.

Try special sportswear: There are clothes on the market these days designed specifically to lock away sweat, with new breathable fabrics designed for exercise and sport.

Wear it then wash it: Don’t put on a t-shirt or bike shorts that are soaked with sweat. You need to start out dry to stay dry. You will smell nicer too.

Change footwear often: If sweaty feet are a particular problem, be sure to change your socks at least once a day and try not to live in the same shoes every day.

Dust away sweat: Use powders meant for the feet to keep foot moisture and sweat to a minimum.

Sweating at work

To cope with sweating at work, experts recommend these steps:

Carry a deodorant or antiperspirant at all times: Reapply them in the middle of the day or before a stressful meeting. You will feel less anxious about wet stains and body odour.

Dress in layers year-round: For men, wearing a plain white t-shirt underneath a work shirt can help soak away some of the sweat." In terms of clothing, absorbent underlayers, such as t-shirts, can definitely help," says Kimberley Carter. Women could wear an absorbent vest top or special dress shields to absorb moisture from underneath the arms.

Choose natural clothing: Man-made fibres like nylon and acrylic can make you sweat more and hold on to that sweat too.  Loose-fitting clothes made of natural fibres and leather shoes are also beneficial as they are more ‘breathable’, says Kimberley.

Arrange a change of clothes: A second change of clothes may be necessary during the day where possible. If you know you have a big meeting or important presentation take along a fresh shirt or top and change into it beforehand. It’ll give you more confidence.

Avoid plain clothes: Plain light colours show the sweat patches more, so opt for patterns and prints to disguise them. If you are worried about sweat stains showing you’re more likely to get anxious and sweat some more.

Carry a hanky: If you keep one in your pocket or handbag, you can wipe off excess sweat quickly before you need to shake hands.

Slip off shoes: Try to slip your feet out of your shoes when you can, even for short periods, to let them cool off.

Skip spicy lunches: Eating certain foods, like chillies and curries, can affect the amount of sweat you produce. Eating other foods, including onions and garlic, can make your sweat smell worse.

And at night

Chose the right bed linen: Satin or silk sheets and duvet covers are a big no-no. Look for breathable, lightweight fabrics made from natural fibres like plain cotton.

WebMd

Please share