As the temperatures rise with the onset of summer, so does the chance of us turning into a big sweat-making machine. It is pretty much a given that on those really hot days, most of us will be glad that we have sweat glands to help cool our bodies down.
What happens when the good benefits of sweating get outweighed by the bad? What if the sweat has a foul odor or what if the sweat is making you appear as if you were in a wet t-shirt contest? What do you do then?
When is sweating bad?
Sweating is the body’s built in cooling systems. When the body starts to get too hot, the pores open and the sweat glands start to work. This is a good thing, believe or not. It helps keep the body at a reasonable temperature.
So, when is sweating a bad thing? It’s bad if it is 20 below zero and you are sweating as if you just crossed the Sahara Desert or if you wake up in the middle of the night and find that your body has created its own swimming pool. Another sign that something just isn’t right is if your sweat is forming crystals.
Another thing to watch out for is odor. Sweat should have no smell or a mildly pleasant one. If your body odor would make a vampire run, or you have any of the other things listed above, go see your doctor. These are all signs that something is wrong and the only way to fix it is to find out what that is.
Some of the aliments that can have sweating as an indicator are an infection, heart disease, over active thyroid, or tuberculosis. All of these will need treatment.
Ways to control overactive sweat glands
If you are just one of those people who sweat a lot and you don’t have any of the above symptoms like odor, or if you have been to the doctor and all is well then here are a few tips to help control unwanted wetness.
- Bathe regularly and try to avoid heavily perfumed soaps and cleansers.
- After bathing, dry troublesome areas thoroughly. The bad odor that develops as you sweat could be from bacteria. Washing and drying the area thoroughly will help to kill off the bacteria that may be causing the unpleasant smell.
- Avoid wearing synthetic materials, instead wear cotton. Cotton will help pull moisture away from the skin.
- Use cotton sheets on your bed if you overheat at night. Also, try turning down your furnace when you go to sleep.
- Look out for deodorants with tea tree oil in it.
- Apply some bicarbonate of soda (NOT baking soda) onto your underarms. Either apply it directly to the skin or mix it in with some water.
- RELAX! Stress can trigger the sweat glands to start working in over time.
Remember that sweating is a natural function of the body. It cools and cleanses the body. With over 3 million sweat glands, it is impossible to stop it from happening but by doing a few things like the ones listed above, it will no longer be an unbearable situation.
I actually do not sweat much… I think Asians are known for this.. I think it’s the spices we use in our culture.. East Asian I mean. I don’t even use deodorant.. ewwww. I know but seriously. I don’t sweat unless I am doing a serious workout. However I am looking for one for my bf… thanks for the tips. 🙂
Lucky you Susie. Sweating is a problem people have real difficulties with.
I think I might make a vampire run, but then again I eat a lot of raw garlic in the evening, lol. I really like your article. The only time I sweat is when I’m in the sauna, or I’ve been working my garden for hours at a time but like Susie I don’t use a deodorant and I don’t have body odor.
I am having trouble with just my buttocks sweating. Can medications or herbs cause this? I am 58 yrs. and could it be menopause symptoms in just that area? Occasionally I have other times when I sweat elsewhere. It shows through my pants and because I sit at my job all day, it is really becoming embarrasing. Can you help me?
Sorry Fredda, I really don’t know. I suggest you go to your doctor for advice.
i sweat from the first minute to the end of the day. I even sweat if i straighten my hair. Ive used so many products to stop me from sweating, but i still do.. is there any good remedies that can stop my armpits from sweating?
I am 13 and sweat a lot from my armpits. I sweat a little just walking to my classroom. This is really embarrassing. I also seem to sweat a lot in other place (behind my knees, face, back, but that’s only when i play sports) I also suffer from postural hypertension (low blood pressure, and fainting-like symptoms) My doctor already know this, but do you think that they are related? Do I have anything serious or anything? I’m going to buy the secret clinical strength soon. My parents don’t know, but they will soon. Thank you sooo much!
Sorry I suffer from postural hypotension (low blood pressure and fainting like symptoms
I’m someone who sweats a lot and I just need a small rise in temperature to start sweating and it is something that I have been trying to stop.
Well after reading the post I think I found the problem. I have been using heavily perfumed soaps and cleansers and I was not aware that it will cause more sweating.
I used to sweat a lot about 2 – 3 years ago. I thought that there was something wrong with my sweat glands, until I started with yoga. My sweating reduced more and more and I didn’t knew what it was that had happen until I researched this a bit further.
It seems as if ecessive sweaters have an overactive nerve system instead of overactive sweat glands.
Yoga seemed to do the trick for me (in calming down my nerve system). But I can voteforthat some of you suggestive tactics works pretty good. The cold showers seemed to have the best affect on me =)
Great post BTW!
Cheers!
I am 23 yrs old and I have for quite a long time now had a real problem with sweating from my armpits. Quite embarrassing sometimes. I was just wondering is there any perfectly natural (without chemicals) formula or treatment out there that I could use that would help.
many people suffer from excessive sweating and do not know how to stop sweating, there are some natural ways to stop being embarrassed by your sweat and body odour problems.
i know how u feel i also sweat when i even do simple things like straighten my hair even walking from the outside into a shop etc i’m in scotland so its not even that hot. i mostly sweat on my face don’t smell underarms. butu recently i have found that at night when i am sleeping i seem to overheat (have not been using a duvet because of this just a thin blanket that i can shove off when warmed up nicely) and my face seems to lash with sweat also my hair getting really wet. and i can smell it it’s not a normal smell i associate with sweat like B.O. but it still isn’t a nice smell. i can even smell it off the pillowcase or wherever i have been sweating onto.
does anyone know why (i am awaiting blood-tests for some other medical problem but hope it can maybe help with this like over active tyroid)
but don’t sleep with partner because of this really need some help to stop it so embarrasing while out etc. nightsout can be even worse no point putting make up makes it worse.
I’m 15 and i sweat alot! me and my sister have the same problem… its really embarrassing and i was wondering if there was anything that i could do to help this problem???
If any1 has a problem with getting rid of b.o. (bad odour); when you shower, rub in a small quantity of baking soda (bicarb) to the areas (armpits, groin). Leave it in for a while and then wash off. Works great! You can also use lemon juice from squeezed lemons or the supermarket lemon juice – it gives a good scent and apparently has some skin whitening properties. Shaving in those areas helps considerably.
Try to avoid anti-perspirants, as they seal the pores which is the body’s way of getting rid of toxins and cooling the body down. Rather use powder – i haven’t tried the baking soda route in this regard consistently.
I’m 15. I’ve been sweating like this since I was in 4th grade. I can’t stand it anymore. I wear sweatshirts & black shirts to hide it, but I’m sick of it. I come home crying because I can’t wear normal clothes.. I’ve talked to my doctor about it many times but she says its just hormones… but if its hormones, then why am I the only one in the school with this problem? my mom brought up the topic botox… & I don’t know what to do. I’m trying the soap thing, and the paste… none is working…
can anybody please help me?
im 22 and sweat all the time. I have done since i was about 5, it is very very annoying. It isn’t triggered by anything i know of, it is constant, within 5 minutes of wearing any t-shirt i need to change or put on a thick jumper, i say think becasue when it comes through that, i have to go home! It isn’t even mainly my armpits. My hands are really bad aswell. Quite inconvinient when meeting clients at work etc! help!
okay so I have the worst problem with sweating from my hands and feet. It’s really embarrassing at the age of 13 when you’r trying to hold a guys hand or joke around, even handing stuff to people is hard because I’m scared they are gonna feel my wet hands… wht do I do… I feel hopeless
I heard exercise is very important, I might start doing some basic yoga to help my stress.
I sweat too much , if i drink a glass of water , it comes out immediately as sweat within two minutes D:
I’m sweat machine even in winter.