30 Natural Ways to Sweat Less

Is Excessive Sweating Affecting Your Life?

Are you one of those people who can't stay dry? Are you often embarrassed by your sopping wet armpits and constantly stained undershirts? Basically: Do you feel like you're sweating too much?

If so, here is a list of simple and inexpensive methods you can try that might control, or reduce your sweating. They can all be done at home and don't require any special treatment at a facility.

Excessive body sweating may lead to low self-esteem and confidence. To make matters worse, out of self-pity and frustration, many tend to shy away from social events to avoid embarrassment. Many people may think you're not hygienic or healthy, when, really, this condition can't be helped.

This condition is known as hyperhidrosis. It affects about 1% of all populations and mainly targets the palms or soles of the feet. It occurs when the sympathetic nervous system gets overactive and creates more sweat than needed.

If you think it’s a serious problem, it would be best to consult a medical professional. For easy, non-prescriptive, and natural ways to stop the sweating on your own, see below for some simple tips.

Tips to Help You Reduce or Stop Sweating

• Stay calm. Stress and nervousness instantly trigger the sweat glands.
• Cut down your caffeine intake. Caffeine tends to create anxiety which, in turn, triggers the body to sweat excessively. In itself, it is also a trigger for sweating.
• Acupuncture. It may look painful, but it's not. Acupuncture targets certain body parts to balance energy and also relaxes the brain by controlling the hypothalamus, which leads to sweat reduction. It might work for you.
• Take a cold shower. In spite of the discomfort of a cold shower, it really works wonders. While you're at it, try using an antibacterial soap to ensure the body is clean and odor-free.
• Avoid taking hot baths. While baths may be useful in eliminating toxins through increased body temperature, the problems of excessive sweating surely outweigh their benefits.
• Drink tomato juice. This is my own, personal handy tip. I love tomato juice and it has helped me reduce my sweating. All those extra vitamins and nutrients come in handy. Some sources recommend drinking a glass a day to get the benefits.
• Drink a lot of water. Hydration keeps body temperatures low, helping prevent sweating. Water is vital to life. It effectively flushes out excess minerals and pushes out all toxins and waste products. Experts recommend six to eight glasses of water every day.

• Avoid sugary, spicy, and chemically-processed foods. You are what you eat. Spicy foods may be delightful, tasty, and even healthy, but they do cause your body to sweat more frequently after you eat them. A large intake of chemical toxins will aggravate sweating. The same goes for high fructose syrup used by some manufacturers to sweeten food. It gets even worse, especially for overweight people. Any of those instant, pre-made, packaged, frozen, greasy, ready-to-eat, and fast foods are an absolute no-no.
• Eat the “right” foods. Fewer complex B vitamins in your body means it cannot allow for efficient absorption of nutrients and a proper breakdown of toxins and body waste. This means a strained body which leads to more sweat.

So what foods should you eat?

1. Whole grains—These are great sources of B-vitamins and fiber.
2. Fresh fruits—Whatever your preference, fresh fruits, in general, should form a crucial component in your daily regimen. Any will do, including cherries, peaches, watermelons, apples, oranges, and plums. The list is endless. You could try having a fruit salad for breakfast or pack it as a snack in between meals.
3. Vegetables—If you don’t like just salads, veggies are excellent too as they are rich in B Vitamins.
4. Proteins—Recommended: Fish, eggs, and moderate amounts of red meat. As for vegetarians, beans, tofu, and eggs work well, too. If you can, avoid deep-fried foods like the plague.

• Rub your armpits with cotton pads soaked in baking soda and lemon juice. The mixture is cooling and helps control foul odor.
• Some cold water for the road. There’s no better cold drink than water, especially on a hot day. Cold water is essential to reduce stress, regulate body temperature, and keep those sweat glands under control. Make sure you always have a bottle or canteen with you, especially while mobile or traveling.
• Use sage. Taking sage either in pill or tea form may help regulate sweat production.
• Avoid alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs. This is an absolute no-brainer. These chemicals make it harder for the body to control sweating because they cause a delay in blood circulation.
• Yoga. Yoga is one of the best natural ways to control excessive sweating. This can be through meditation, calming down the nerves, and then subsequently lessening sweat production. Since yoga teaches proper breathing, it works well especially when one is stressed or uneasy.

• Avoid hot drinks. When it comes to excessive sweating, hot beverages (especially coffee) are your worst enemy. Imagine the effect they give if you are just about to go to an important meeting or make a presentation. Try going for fresh-squeezed juice, lemonade, or iced beverages to regulate your temperature.

• Avoid nylons and polyesters. Wear natural fibers. Cotton and wool are preferable in helping the skin “breathe.” They provide ample space around the armpit area which allows for evaporation and free flow of air.
• Wear loose-fitting clothes. If your clothing is too tight, you are depriving your skin of enough air to circulate around it. This increases sweating and triggers the sweat glands to produce more. During especially hot weather, it’s a good idea to keep your collar open or simply wear light clothes, like a T-shirt and linen pants.
• Carry an extra shirt. Be smart and keep a change of clothes if possible, particularly during hot days.
• Wear undershirts. High-quality undershirts made of cotton or just a T-shirt will help absorb body sweat and make it evaporate fast.
• Starch your shirts. Starching prevents the shirts from sticking to your body, which in turn keeps the body cool because the space inside allows for the circulation of air.
• Keep your head cool. When exposed to the sun for long periods of time, a hat and shades will come in handy. Sunglasses help protect your eyes from extremely bright conditions and harmful ultraviolet rays. Opt for sunglasses with polarized lenses and reflective coating. A hat protects the head from heating and sunstroke.
• Wear socks. Socks help keep the feet cooler by absorbing feet perspiration and also yields faster evaporation.

Recommended

How to Let Go of Past Mistakes and Move on With Your Life

• Shave those underarms and groin areas. Shaving is one of the most effective natural methods of overcoming excessive sweating. The reason is simple: Accumulation of sweat tends to occur around the hairs. As a result, bacteria will soon start feeding on them with great vigor. In no time, the underarms will emit an unpleasant odor, due to the toxins discharged by the bacteria. Reducing the amount of hair can also let air reach those places and make them cooler.
• Lose some weight. It’s a fact that 90% of people who suffer from excessive sweating are overweight. Cutting down on that extra weight drastically increases your chances of dealing with excess body sweat.
• Use the bathroom. The bathroom is a good place to make some last-minute preparations. You can change clothes, apply deodorant, or simply clean up excess sweat using cold water.
• Don’t exercise before important events. Exercise is good for the body and an important routine for healthy living. However, an intense workout increases your body temperature and that means more sweat. If you really must exercise, keep your stress levels low to reduce excess sweating. Also, when you’re done, see the tip above about a cold shower. :-)
• Keep your cool in air-conditioned places. When you are traveling or just walking, make periodic stops at a few air-conditioned places to control your body temperature.

• Arrive early. Avoid rushing to work, important appointments, meetings or even that dinner date. Make it a habit to always leave early. By arriving well ahead of time, your stress and anxiety levels are low. Moreover, you won't be exerting yourself rushing around and the extra time will help you cool down. You could even use your free time to drink cold water.
• Use over-the-counter antiperspirant. Check into a pharmacy and look for a product with aluminum chloride as its active ingredient. This helps in reducing excess sweating by blocking the sweat pores. Apply it at night and then one again in the morning. You can also apply this to your back, feet, and hands.
• Use garment shields. If you don't want pit stains, these handy things stick on the inside of your shirt and help prevent sweat from leaking through. True, it doesn't actually stop the sweat but at least it helps control how noticeable it is.

When Sweating Is a Medical Problem

Most people only sweat when they are exerting themselves, as sweat is the body's way of trying to keep itself cool. For some people, however, heavy sweating is a part of life. For many, it's just a hassle that they have to deal with, but for others, it could be a serious medical condition.

If you just sweat more than others when it's hot out or when you're exercising, that's usually not a problem. It's when you're sweating profusely for no apparent reason that it could be a signal of something deeper.

Excessive sweating is called hyperhidrosis. There are two kinds, one that causes sweating only in specific areas, like the hands or feet (primal focal hyperhidrosis), and one that causes sweating all over. If you have the former, it's probably not a medical issue, though it can be really annoying.

If you're sweating all over (secondary general hyperhidrosis), that's a sign there could be a deeper issue. One easily recognizable sign is sweating at night. There are many causes of secondary general hyperhidrosis, such as pregnancy, menopause, and diabetes. Some medications can also cause this issue.

According to WebMD, you should see a doctor if you're experiencing:

• Night sweats
• Sweating all over
• Asymmetrical sweating, such as sweating in just one armpit and not in the other
• Sudden changes in sweating
• If you develop sweating later on in life, as hyperhidrosis usually develops as a kid
• Symptoms after medication changes
• Sweating accompanied by other symptoms like a cough, fatigue, insomnia, increased thirst or urination

If you're really being bothered by excessive sweating, you should see your doctor even if you don't have the above symptoms.

Medical Treatments for Hyperhidrosis

There is no cure for localized hyperhidrosis, but there are some medical solutions that may help. These are not "natural" treatments, but they have been medically proven to help control sweating. This is the order in which they are usually tried:

• Over-the-counter antiperspirants with aluminum chloride
• Prescription-strength antiperspirants with aluminum chloride hexahydrate
• Iontophoresis, a treatment that passes electricity into the skin through a layer of water
• Oral medications
• Botox
• Microwave destruction
• Surgery

Talk to your doctor about these options if sweating is a severe issue for you. Secondary general hyperhidrosis is generally cured by managing or treating the underlying condition that is causing it.

If you have hyperhidrosis or just sweat a lot, you're not alone. Get the help you need as soon as possible so you can live a life with less sweat.

Don't Give Up

Sweating is a natural process, but it can turn dreadful if it goes out of hand. You can take comfort that you are not alone. Though various treatments are available, the natural methods of preventing excessive body sweating are inexpensive and easier to implement.

You can now gain your freedom and start living and enjoying life without dreading the warm days. Save yourself the embarrassment and banish all worries of wet underarms and sweaty palms quickly, easily, and naturally.

With some planning and effort, you don't have to feel frustrated and embarrassed anymore.

Good luck!

Sources

• Griffin, R. Morgan. Reviewed by Norman Levine, MD, on Sept. 7, 2011. "Is Your Excessive Sweating Caused by a Medical Problem?" WebMD. Retrieved April 4, 2017.
• Reviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD, on May 19, 2016. "Excessive Sweating in Women — Tips to Stay Dry" (slideshow). WebMD. Retrieved April 4, 2017.
• Cole, Gary W., MD, FAAD. "Hyperhidrosis." MedicineNet. Retrieved April 4, 2017.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and does not substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, and/or dietary advice from a licensed health professional. Drugs, supplements, and natural remedies may have dangerous side effects. If pregnant or nursing, consult with a qualified provider on an individual basis. Seek immediate help if you are experiencing a medical emergency.

Comments

Tanav on July 01, 2018:

Best ways are given they are best

Maditsi on February 01, 2018:

I sweat when it's freezing outside , when it's hot, when sitting in bed , the only time I do not sweat it seems my glands may be exhausted. Sometimes when sweating I feel tiny pulses of pain in my underarms like tired muscles only on a small scale. There are times when the water works just go on regardless of what I'm physically active in or not. The other day the sweat almost covered my entire short sleeves. Symmetrical and asymmetrical. I've tried countless deodorants. Started sweating like this during puberty which is a long time since then now. But I've never consulted a doctor, I think I should now.

P. Julie Seibol on February 24, 2017:

This is my first and possibly only review I have written before; I tried all the natural, homemade or organic products that you could ever imagine. I was always embarrassed of my excessive sweat in my underarm, always upsetting about of simply raising my hand or meeting people. I would sweat 2 minutes after wearing a shirt, even with the A/C on at 72! I tried MANY other products too with at least 20% Aluminum Zirconium Tetrachlorohydrex, but none worked to be honest. I researched a little and came to a page with recommendations, again they recommended those that didn’t worked for me, but a section later it read that Certain Dri used something different (Aluminum Chloride) and consumers expressed a lot of gratification with it (with no itching) so I bought it! I tried it on yesterday and before bedtime and throughout today NOT A SINGLE SIGN OF UNDERARM SWEAT! (Hallelujah sings) Even under the sun or my car after a hard sunny day or going to my classroom with my bag round my armpits… If you want to end the excessive under arm sweat buy these products right now.

kishan on September 21, 2016:

I've had this problem ever since puberty. My underams sweat out of control, sometimes I get really frustrated about it. It's truly embarrassing especially at a social gathering. Wondering qho is noticing...sigh. I hope these tips will be of some help to me

hey on December 28, 2014:

Test

Arnab Roy Choudhury on November 26, 2014:

There are many disadvantages of using the wrong deodorant which may cause allergies, irritations. It is always better to choose natural deodorants that will keep one active throughout the day and will not harm the skin.

Richard on August 02, 2014:

Driclor is applied at night ...follow instruction first i think apply it every night then wash off at morning try doing this until 3wks no pauses then minimize to 2-3 days application then after a week until once which will last every 2-3 days when royale deodorant is applied..example 1 driclor at night then morning wash off then apply royale deodorant then lie on bed so u r very relaxed no sweating happens..turn ur fan on no.3 then let it for 30-45 mins this is DAY 1......... then no driclor at night then at morning apply royale then no D at night again DAY2 then start driclor at night again...then same routine...at weekends u can put driclor on sunday night so u feel less irritated by driclor application

richard on August 02, 2014:

Btw i only care about armpit sweating even i sweat a lot in face, palm, or even feet .im a registered nurse since having a nursing review lecture i have clothes on my bag around 3-4 pcs.and then i also tried putting 2 clothes at same time one on the underneath i tuck the hand of my shirt up to armpit area so it will thicken and make sweat gone but i find myself horrible im chubby with muscle elevated at the armpit sounds awful though..everyday i find myself lazy to go for a review so i wasted days around 10 days and took the exam and luckily pass as firsttime test taker im glad i did but it came the time when i need to find a job i did have 4 months volunteering as a nurse in a private hospital...i tried using dxn products cuz it eliminate toxin in the body ..and ya it work on white shirt but realy stings a lot around 4 mos too and i find it doesnt work and feel really depressed at that time i did finish volunteering. I did apply to jobs like call center but my anxiety really spiked up and nothing helps ..at the end of the day morning till evening i kept sweating nonstop ..ya i did read some natural remedies and even that thing i also tried like vinegar and honey thing but its not ....i even tried shaving my armpit to lessen sweat but fail even putting driclor i think it work only when ur at home doing nothing ...cuz when i try having computer games i sweat still maybe 35% it works but not decreased or gone up to 85-99% .. Leaves keep falling as days to months and now a year and a half has been wasted ..i was at the house just playin games, watching movies, eating and i keep doing that.. Im really depressed and find myself not moving forward i find myself helpless and i keep asking why did i have this, i keep reading things about hyperhidrosis and until i read about miradry, ya its very interesting and im trying to look for clinics doing such things i even message them tru email...will this thing be available in here,philippines..and ya they reply not yet available on this teritory but they are trying to reach out philippines if possible..and so my hope to get cured lessen until i tried driclor again in mercury stores then bought also royale deodorant which my uncle endorsed cuz he had a friend been using it...its same aluminum tetrachlor but with silicon thing and has a glutathione even driclor is very uncomftable and makes ur underarm dark ...this royale thing makes it lighten sticky when applied at morning right after driclor is wash off then with a fan i lay on bed and turn fan at no.3 to get it very dry and it last me 2-3 days on outdoors activities and a week if on vacation ....guys here in philippines try it if it works on you just reply so i read ur message regarding this thing even if other say aluminum can cause such risk...i did outwiegh it with benefit cuz i don't have resources yet or cure thing it might be my routine but everyday life is something i need to explore im happy that i can do things again i can go out again with my friend hanging around i find my routine things to make me strong even things getting harder on me....u should try this cuz im not endorsing things i haven't tried that work well, im sharing this so you guys for you to find ..HH is something we will be aware and should care for our love ones

richard on August 02, 2014:

Hey there im also from philippines its been 4 years since 2011 that im ive been suffering from hh i know its frustrating to have such condition ...i want to share this ive been using driclor since 2013 then ya it decrease sweating when just at staying at home but when doing something like outdoors it didn't work until my uncle make me try royale doedorant for men at royalebusinessclub site...together it works around 90% and im happy with it...at night i put driclor let say sunday night then morning i wash it off then dry after...i put royale deodorant for men /women if women...then turn on the fan cuz it doesn't dry...but around 30-45 mins it superdry like very rough ..then there you are u can stay dry let say sunday -driclor at night then it last 2-3 days very dry with royale every morning so i put driclor again on tuesday or wednesday night then it became my routine ....what really surprised is that when i go to a party i was then called to join the game and i started to look to my underarm and whoa that's the first time i never saw really wet i feel happy then...until now aug 2,2014 ..i want to share this and hopefully you guys must read thanks.