# Physioligy of excessive sweating? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 6, 2005, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/physioligy-of-excessive-sweating/320409 "2005-09-06T20:57:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2005, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/physioligy-of-excessive-sweating/320409/1 "2005-09-06T20:57:39Z")
I want to know what causes excessive sweating and what can be done about it. I shower every day. I wear clean-on-that-day clothes. I am fairly healthy apart from weight (which I am losing. I am now two stone overweight. I am 6’1 and the ideal weight for someone 6’1 is apparently 13 stone) I have an excercise regime (before showering of course). I wear good deodorant (gillete clear gel) but as soon as I get slightly active at, or on the way to work the clothes under my arms show signs of sweating. It doesn’t smell, that’s not the problem. It’s the visual sign that’s the problem. I dread someone asking me to reach for something or point high up :eek: I envy all the gits at work who can wear nothing but a white shirt and look as if their bodies don’t know the meaning of ‘sweat’. Is there something I could do with my diet to solve this? Or should I just resign to the fact that it will be a problem until I am completely healthy, ideal weight, etc… ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2005, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/physioligy-of-excessive-sweating/320409/2 "2005-09-06T21:01:38Z")
P.S. I’ve googled. And all I can find are sites that tell me to do what I already do. (shower, deodorise, clean clothes, keep fit) ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2005, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/physioligy-of-excessive-sweating/320409/3 "2005-09-06T23:23:07Z")
Put 'er there…\ 😃 I’ve been reading up on this myself. Scientifically it’s called _hyperhydrosis._ (Sometimes hyperh_i_drosis, I guess because it comes out of your hide.) A doctor might have some answers for you. One cause is faulty temperature regulation, whichcan indicate a thyroid problem. Another is overactive adrenal glands, in which case a beta blocker might help you. A piecemeal and expensive solution would be Botoxing your sweat glands into submission - no help if you’re like me and sweat all over. I’ve always wondered whether the 107° fever I suffered as a baby might have left my internal thermostat permanently wacked. In any case, it’s _not_ just a weight-related problem. I sweated like crazy as a 140 lb teenager, at my peak weight of 200, and now I’m 175 and still doing it. I’m assuming you dress in the minimum weight and layers of clothing required to keep you decent, comfy, and not looking like you just danced thru a car wash. I have had very good results with [CoolMax](http://coolmaxdeals.bizland.com/store/coolmax.html) and similar garments. They dry very quickly, even while they’re still on. ---
**Author:** ![SnakesCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4af34b/32.png) [@SnakesCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SnakesCatLady)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2005, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/physioligy-of-excessive-sweating/320409/4 "2005-09-07T00:18:18Z")
I have that problem - except it’s my face that sweats. Profusely. It is impossible for me to keep makeup on if I’m going to be outside. I have had this problem all my life and would love to know what I can do about it. ---
**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2005, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/physioligy-of-excessive-sweating/320409/5 "2005-09-07T00:27:33Z")
Sorry I can’t get you full text, but [the abstract from this review](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15712569&query_hl=1) pretty well summarizes the treatment options. [This full text recent review from CMAJ](http://www.cmaj.ca/cgi/content/full/172/1/69/T131) will probably tell you more than you need/want to know. Good luck. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2005, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/physioligy-of-excessive-sweating/320409/6 "2005-09-07T00:38:46Z")
According to the linked abstract above, one effective treatment option is the topical application of aluminum chloride. I wonder if something like [this](http://www.sunrisemeds.com/product_detail.php?id=112&PHPSESSID=42a5233d4c427a81d27341f1e1d78b15) is safe to use on the face, if due care is taken to keep it out of the eyes? ---
**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2005, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/physioligy-of-excessive-sweating/320409/7 "2005-09-07T01:37:15Z")
Believe it or not, there is an International Hyperhidrosis Society. By the looks of its board, the society seems to be independent from big pharma influence (I think). [Their website](http://www.sweathelp.org/index.html) is pretty good. Worth a look. (You may find the left hand side of the “treatment options” page especially interesting). ---
**Author:** ![Ultraviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/c77e96/32.png) [@Ultraviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ultraviolet)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2005, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/physioligy-of-excessive-sweating/320409/8 "2005-09-07T02:55:49Z")
Are you just using a deodorant, or an antipersperant? As I understand it, a deodorant just makes the sweat smell better, whereas an antipersperant actually stops you from sweating. Also, I have found before that changing your brand of antipersperant sometimes helps. It seems my body can get used to a certain kind if I use it all the time, and switching sometimes helps (this is purely anecdotal, and may just be my imagination - but it can’t hurt to give it a try) ---
**Author:** ![Excalibre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@Excalibre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Excalibre)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2005, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/physioligy-of-excessive-sweating/320409/9 "2005-09-07T03:22:13Z")
> [@Snakescatlady](#): > > I have that problem - except it’s my face that sweats. Profusely. It is impossible for me to keep makeup on if I’m going to be outside. I have had this problem all my life and would love to know what I can do about it. For localized sweating, you can have the nerves that control it ablated, which sounds scary and stuff, but I’ve heard its effective. I think the face is one of the more common places for it to happen, so I would imagine that this treatment is an option. I’m another one of those ridiculous all-over sweaters. Even when I’m a touch chilly, I sweat too much. Ugh, it’s annoying. ---
**Author:** ![picunurse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2005, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/physioligy-of-excessive-sweating/320409/10 "2005-09-07T05:02:42Z")
First of all, Gillette Clear Gel™ comes in both deodorant and anti-perspirant types, so make sure you’re using the anti perspirant. Plain deodorant doesn’t stop sweating. The active ingredient in anti-perspirant is aluminum chloride. ---
**Author:** ![Crowbar\_of\_Irony\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f08c70/32.png) [@Crowbar\_of\_Irony\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crowbar_of_Irony_3)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2005, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/physioligy-of-excessive-sweating/320409/11 "2005-09-07T12:43:12Z")
I too sweat excessively - it’s common in a tropical environment here, but I do sweat a lot more than others. I usually get the ‘butterfly sweat-stains’ on my shirt in less than 5 mins under the sun (it’s about 98 F here). Do you just apply anti-perspirant to your armpits? I am sweating all over the place - face, forehead, arms and etc. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Arky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/87869e/32.png) [@An\_Arky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Arky)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2005, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/physioligy-of-excessive-sweating/320409/12 "2005-09-07T13:07:01Z")
I was sweating excessively and it turned out to be hyperthyroidism. Only your doctor can tell you for sure…hint, hint… ---
**Author:** ![TheLoadedDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/35a633/32.png) [@TheLoadedDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheLoadedDog)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2005, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/physioligy-of-excessive-sweating/320409/13 "2005-09-07T13:22:41Z")
Stop drinking alcohol. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2005, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/physioligy-of-excessive-sweating/320409/14 "2005-09-07T13:27:29Z")
Some years ago I saw a segment on TV where a doctor recommended dry massaging your armpits with an absorbent cloth for (I think) about 10 minutes every few days. Apparently it is possible to drain the glands and it takes some time for them to refill. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2005, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/physioligy-of-excessive-sweating/320409/15 "2005-09-07T14:48:30Z")
I have suffered from excessive sweating, and so has my mother. But for us, it’s mostly in our hands and feet. For me, the sweating sometimes seems to be triggered by stress or concentration or excitement. Sometimes it seems entirely random. ---
**Author:** ![Adversary](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/919ad9/32.png) [@Adversary](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Adversary)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2005, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/physioligy-of-excessive-sweating/320409/16 "2005-09-07T15:01:47Z")
I used to sweat like mad as well. Only in my armpits. It was a pain in the butt. I would change my shirt multiple times a day. I found a product called “Certain Dry” that I got at a regular drugstore. I used it for about 3 months and now I don’t have the sweating problem. I did check with my doctor first beforehand, he said you just sweat alot. 🙂 It did cause my armpits to yellow a little bit, the skin seemed off color, but that went away after I stopped using it. Hope it works for you! ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2005, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/physioligy-of-excessive-sweating/320409/17 "2005-09-07T15:25:26Z")
> [@Excalibre](#): > > Even when I’m a touch chilly, I sweat too much. Ugh, it’s annoying. I don’t tend to be that much of a sweater _unless_ I’m chilly. Then I sweat like crazy. I don’t understand it at all. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2005, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/physioligy-of-excessive-sweating/320409/18 "2005-09-07T15:47:13Z")
My normal body temp is a bit higher than normal, mine is about 98.9-99.1 most of the time, plus I weigh 255 so I sweat alot too. I have no good advice other than to wear something cold either on the armpits, back of the neck or the groin. Alot of bodyheat passes through these areas and if you think you’re going to do something that can make you sweat you can put ice there. Aluminum chloride underarm deodorants supposedly work really well, they’ve been asked about before on SD and people had good things to say about them. [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=265138&highlight=aluminum+chloride](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=265138&highlight=aluminum+chloride) FTR, I only used Aluminum chloride for about 2-3 days, so it didn’t have enough time to work. Plus it just makes you sweat more in other places. ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2005, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/physioligy-of-excessive-sweating/320409/19 "2005-09-07T17:59:37Z")
> [@TheLoadedDog](#): > > Stop drinking alcohol. I have. Sweating wasn’t a problem when I drank regularly. Maybe that has something to do with it.