If only I could sell perspiration

January 17, 2006 8:11 PM

PerspirationFilter: Is there anything I can do about excessive sweating (aside from staying completely still in a suitably cool environment)?

While I am currently overweight, even when I was very much of a normal weight and reasonably aerobically fit (ie swimming a couple of miles every day without much difficulty) I would sweat a great deal. Very small changes in temperature, from cooler to warmer - say, walking from one room into another that's only a couple of degrees warmer - will make me break into a sweat. Drinking a single alcoholic drink (even a light beer) will make me break into a sweat, regardless of the temperature in the room etc.

Typically it's most noticeable on my face, but if I'm not wearing clothes that hide damp stains, it will be noticeable on my chest, back and underarms as well. It's annoying, uncomfortable and embarrassing, and it stops me from doing things I enjoy. For example, I love to dance at nightclubs, but two songs and I'm drenched and consequently very self-conscious.

Does anyone know of any remedies for sweating such as this? I'm working on the weightloss / fitness, but as I said, even at a good weight and being fit, it still happens.

posted by anonymous to health & fitness (13 comments total)

Certain-Dri is an excellent underarm antiperspirant. It is applied at night and it significantly limits sweating underarms. I know, that's only part of your problem but it worked for me.
posted by ALongDecember at 8:26 PM on January 17, 2006

Your best bet for a little dutch boy is your doctor; make an appointment and tell him you have hyperhidrosis. Injecting botox into yourself isn't really an OTC treatment, you know?
posted by neda at 8:31 PM on January 17, 2006

Did you search ask me? What was it about these questions and answers that you didn't like?

Seriously.
posted by oddman at 8:47 PM on January 17, 2006

A friend of mine sweats like crazy and has a prescription deodorant. See a doctor.
posted by adamwolf at 8:48 PM on January 17, 2006

if u dont wanna go to a doctor, try Mitchum deoderant. works fine for my over-active sweat glands. "so effective, you can skip a day"
posted by deeman at 10:11 PM on January 17, 2006

Yeah, I'm amazed this question made it through AnonAskMe, since it's been asked a bunch of times.

I will, however, give you the best advice I got here on this topic- shave your armpits.
posted by mkultra at 7:45 AM on January 18, 2006

I run my clippers over my pits periodically, though I don't think it helps with sweat quantity. However it helps antipersperant go on easier and I dont end up with clumps of it in hair. Plus the reason that hair exists is to retain odor, which most of us don't want.

I answered some of those other linked answers so I'll just comment on this - you're not alone in this, and one of the best things you can do is come to terms with it. I'll never be happy about the quantity I sweat, but giving yourself an ulcer over it doesn't do any good either. Stress adds to the sweat, at least for me, so if you start to get worked up when you notice yourself start to sweat you're just going to make it worse.

Buy some tank top undershirts; they help with the chest and back somewhat.
posted by phearlez at 8:18 AM on January 18, 2006

I second Certain-Dri or any other aluminum cloride flavor of anti-perspirant. Doctors prescribe a slightly stronger version of the same thing but this stuff is very easy to get at your local grocery store or Wal-Mart.
I used to sweat excessively even though I am not (that) overweight. I would ruin shirts every summer, nothing would help. But I discovered this stuff down in Australia and it worked miracles! After using it a week or so you only have to use it every few days to keep the same effect, very little under arm sweeting.
It says not to use it on other areas but I had no problem doing so.
posted by wolfkult at 10:57 AM on January 18, 2006

Apparently Botox keeps you from sweating.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 11:07 AM on January 18, 2006 [1 favorite]

My persperation history was pretty similar to yours. I found out I had diabetes and getting treatment made a big differnece in not only how much I perspire but in my body odor as well (it improved). Get your blood sugar tested. If you have diabetes you want to know sooner so you can address the permanent damage that it does to your body. Good luck. Hope that isn't the problem.
posted by JamesMessick at 1:34 PM on January 18, 2006

It is a remarkable coincidence that you write this. I had dinner with two friends a few days ago. Both of them got surgery (sympathectomy) for hyperhidrosis, and both of them agreed that it had changed their life in a thoroughgoing and very positive way (although there are some minor risks of minor side effects -- one regularly has to use eyedrops to keep eyes moist now). You are welcome to email me at [e-mail] and I will forward them your emails -- I am sure they would be happy to talk to you.
posted by Mr. Justice at 4:29 AM on January 21, 2006

try Mitchum deoderant. works fine for my over-active sweat glands. "so effective, you can skip a day"

Yeeeeah, except it's not. Try Dri-clor or Certain-Dri instead - far more effective.

Why is this question still open to comments?
posted by goo at 1:07 PM on November 28, 2006

Oops - please ignore flag of previous. I didn't realise questions stayed open. Sorry.
posted by goo at 1:29 PM on November 28, 2006