Sweat management

In My Humble Opinion (IMHO)
#1

Hello, I’m Pookah and I’m sweaty. I don’t mean some damp spots under the arms - when it’s hot and humid, which it often is where I live, I literally drip on even the slightest exertion. I don’t particularly smell bad, but I get a bit frustrated looking like a drowned kitten form June to October.

So I’m looking for sweat management tips - any ways, products or tactics my fellow sweaty Betties (m/f) have found to feel a bit dryer or at least look less of a damp mess.

For example, I recently discovered the African/Mediterranean classic of turbans and headscarves - keeps sweat out of eyes, sun off head, and covers and distracts from frazzled, damp locks. Obviously, it has to be your style, but it works quite well for me.

For body sweat I tried talcum and other powders (from Lush) but found they stain my body and leave white residue everywhere without doing anything noticeable for the sweat situation. Anti-perspirants do help, but are not a great solution as I am sweaty anywhere, not just my armpits.

Any ideas or experiences? I mean, it’s not something that ruins my day, but I wouldn’t mind any helpful suggestions

#2

My wife gets very sweaty in the area under the breasts, often getting rashes. I suggested folding handkerchiefs into rectangles and tucking them in the area, letting the underwire keep them there. Works like a charm. The only drawback: when she comes home at the end of the day and dis-hankies, the Border Collie jumps up on the bed while she’s out of the room and spreads the hankies all over said bed and rolls around on them–the little turd.

#3

I found the same thing you did about headscarves. I have a thick mop of curly hair that produces copious sweat if high temperatures or somewhat strenuous work is even contemplated. I keep a bunch of simple bandanas around and wear them like so - folded in to a triangle and tied under my hairline in the back, and right up to my forehead in the front.

It’s amazing how much more comfortable I am without sweat and hair on my neck, and running down my face. I started doing this in my late teens when I worked in a kitchen in the summer, without air conditioning. I actually kept two bandanas at work and would wet them down and put one in the fridge, and swap them out on breaks.

As a lady I like to use Vagasil powder in my skivvies, shorts and bra. Talc isn’t supposed to be used down there (maybe it’s fine now, don’t want to get into the details of it, when a great alternative exists).

#4

I sweat so much, there would be enough sweat to create an ocean lol. I sweat really easily for some reason…

I usually use corn starch to keep off the sweat. Other than that, I try to stick to light clothing when possible. Airy blouses and dresses, linen pants, and flip flops.

Don’t wear jeans in 90+ weather. I learned that the hard way some summers ago while on vacation in Singapore.

#5

Here, the local ladies always carry an umbrella to shade from the sun. When not in the sun, they are busy fanning themselves.

As mentioned up thread, light colored clothing helps. As long as I am walking, I don’t sweat. But when I stop moving, it pours. I always have a soft towel to mop it up.

#6

Thanks everyone. I will try the cornstarch or Vagasil (appears to be available here).

Yay for headscarves - I do a different style but to the same effect.

I liked the tissue trick, though and don’t have a tissue chewing dog around, but I think it’s not particularly my problem area. Might help someone else!

#7

Might start carrying one. Actually, I used to have one of those ultra absorbent thingies which might go in my bag more easily.

#8

Anti-persp can be applied to non-pit regions. I don’t know that it’s necessarily advisable, and maybe bathing in the stuff isn’t a good plan. But I’ve applied it to my lower back.

Believe it or not I’ve found wool underclothes to be helpful. Merino was my last thought for DC summers, but it’s extremely thin and wicks better than cotton. Unfortunately the company I was buying from went out of business so I need to find another source. Also, $50 undies hurt the wallet.

#9

I used to eat Persian food often, and it was very spicy. The restau owner suggested that instead of drinking lots of water or soft drinks afterwards, I take sweets. He said people who drink liquids after eating his food sweat like rain.

#10

Interesting. I do know that drinking liquids does no good to kill spicy - I use the rice if I need to, but I have high chili tolerance.

#11

Deodorant soap in the shower helps Mr.Wrekker. it reduces his sweating. What he does sweat at least isn’t stinky. He also uses a bandana around his neck and wets it frequently. Always has a hat or cap on his head.
Me? I don’t do much sweating. I try to avoid activity outdoors in the hottest part of the day, that and I am a lazy bum.

#12

If the extent of your sweating approaches the ridiculous (and interferes with your day-to-day life), there are medical interventions. There are medications (low dose Ditropan is one I’ve used) and even a surgical procedure to reduce perspiration.

Get on the Google Machine and search for hyperhidrosis treatments.

If it does not get in the way of your life, know that sweating is generally a good thing.
mmm

#13

I walk into work every morning. I don’t sweat easily, so I don’t have any worries in cold and cool weather. But in the summer, I come into work looking a hot mess literally! We don’t have showers, so I commandeer the unisex bathroom so I can take a whore’s bath and change out of my soaked clothes.

I keep a sweat rag on me when I am walking. I know they say to not wipe away sweat when it is real humid, but I do, at least on my face and neck. Keeps me from feeling too self-conscious when I step into the elevator. I also keep my hair wrapped up and under a hat while I am outdoors. Otherwise, the humidity and sweat will turn it into a big ball of cotton candy.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk

#14

I’ve heard that runners training for the Death Valley marathon will sit in a sauna for extended periods of time to get their bodies adjusted to the hotter climate. They say eventually they get so used to the hotter temps that when not in the sauna, they feel cold and need to wear a sweater. If you decide to go this route, be sure to do some research to find out how to do it safely.

Also, are you overweight? If so, that will certainly mean your body is working harder and will have more trouble shedding heat. Losing weight and getting slightly underweight would likely help.

And what about exercise? Even if you don’t lose weight, doing regular aerobic exercise will make your body more efficient at heat management. You may sweat like a waterfall when you’re working out, but you’ll likely be drier at other times. Make sure you’re exercising with your heart in the aerobic range to ensure you’re working at a high enough level.

#15

One other thing, does your body eventually adjust to the hotter temp? For example, if you had to work in the yard, would you be sweating a waterfall initially but then eventually adjust to a more appropriate amount of sweating? For me, It may take 10-20 minutes before my body adjusts to the high heat and humidity. This is exacerbated by going from cold air conditioning to outside where it’s hot and humid. The shock of the change causes my body to work excessively to fight off the heat. But eventually once the sweat systems get engaged, the body’s natural cooling ability normalizes.

#16

I sweat! A lot. Always have, even when I was 115 pounds and athletic and 30 years later at 150 pounds, so it’s not a factor of being overweight for me. (As one of my running buddies once said “Dude, you sweat like a guy!” It was a compliment) Most of the time I feel hot and would prefer all places to be at least 10 degrees colder than normal, but I also have nervous sweat or spicy food sweat even when my body doesn’t feel hot. And the more nervous and uncomfortable I feel, the more I sweat.

I am VERY committed to only wearing 100% cotton shirts and sweaters as well as all cotton underthings ALL the time. I won’t even buy something if it’s not. I’ve gotten rid of lovely clothes that have any polyester or synthetics. I often fold paper towels into a long strip to fit under my boobs. I wear headscarves often and always have a fold-up hand fan in my purse which seems silly and quaint and probably makes me look a bit weird, but it is worth it. I always have a handkerchief in my handbag for mopping.

I also recently got a few Thompson tees that are very sweat absorbent and have extra padding under the arms. Even though it seems like adding a layer of clothing is counter-productive, the tees have made a difference for me. I might still be sweating, but the tee absorbs it so I don’t feel the rivulets running down my back or have sweat marks all over my shirt, which makes me feel more confident and that seems to help calm down my sweating. (I am not affiliated in any way - just wanted to share because they really have been a game-changer for me. FYI - they also run very small)

I recently moved to Europe and the lack of AirCon here is melting me!!

#17

I also sweat a lot.

No, the opposite. When I first walk out into hot weather I’m okay, it might even feel nice, but eventually my core temp rises or something, and I start sweating excessively. The longer I stay in the heat, the more unpleasant I feel.

Being overweight is probably a factor, but I’ve always hated warm weather, even as a small child (when I was slender.) and I’ve always felt sticky and nasty when it’s hot.

I also sweat from spicy food (especially on my head) and recently I’ve started sweating from hot flashes. Sometimes it’s so bad my glasses fog up.

Scarves and headbands help. Carrying (and using) a sweat rag helps. A small fan helps. I’ve considered applying antiperspirant to my underboobs, but I worry about how healthy that is. Although I suppose I do apply it to my underarms, so maybe it wouldn’t really matter. I’ve tried the hanky-in-the-bra thing, with mixed success. Sometimes, it gets soaked through and makes things worse.

#18

Have you ever had your thyroid checked? Some of those symptoms sound like a thyroid imbalance.

#19

I’ll 2nd or 3rd the undershirt suggestion. I sweat pretty easily and have found that a tight fitting undershirt (usually A-style) will keep my outer shirt dry and presentable. I use a small towel for my face and neck if I’m going to be out and about on a hot day.

#20

I’ve never tried wool underpants or bras, but I have merino wool socks, and they are excellent. They are also fairly easy to find, as many men’s dress socks are substantially merino wool.