Sweat patches appearing halfway through the day, avoiding certain colours, keeping a spare top nearby or worrying about raising your arms in public – excessive underarm sweating can affect seemingly small decisions throughout your day. And sometimes, changing your deodorant simply isn’t enough.
If you’re struggling with persistent underarm sweating, there are steps you can take to manage it. From choosing the right antiperspirant to considering medical treatment, here’s where to start.
Why Do My Underarms Sweat So Much?
Your underarms contain a high concentration of sweat glands, so some sweating in this area is completely normal.
Heat, exercise, stress and anxiety can all temporarily increase sweating. However, some people experience persistent underarm sweating that seems disproportionate to their circumstances.
When this becomes excessive, it may be known as axillary hyperhidrosis.
Deodorant vs Antiperspirant: What’s the Difference?
If excessive sweating is your main concern, this distinction is worth knowing.
Deodorant is primarily designed to help control body odour. It doesn’t necessarily reduce how much you sweat.
Antiperspirant, on the other hand, is designed to temporarily reduce sweat production.
Some people find that changing to a stronger antiperspirant makes underarm sweating more manageable. Following the product instructions carefully is important, as some formulations are designed to be applied at particular times of day or to completely dry skin.
What Else Can Help Manage Sweaty Underarms?
Small practical changes won’t treat hyperhidrosis itself, but they may make excessive sweating easier to manage day to day.
You might find it helpful to:
– Choose breathable fabrics where possible
– Keep a spare top available if sweating is unpredictable
– Identify whether particular foods, drinks or situations make your sweating worse
– Use an antiperspirant rather than relying solely on deodorant
– Avoid repeatedly applying products if they’re causing irritation
If you’re still regularly sweating through clothing despite trying these measures, it may be time to consider whether you need additional help.
When Is It Time to Consider Treatment?
There’s no particular amount of sweating you need to experience before you’re allowed to seek help.
A better question is: how much is it affecting you?
Perhaps you’ve stopped wearing certain clothes. Maybe you’re constantly checking for sweat patches before meetings. Or perhaps you’ve tried different antiperspirants and still find that your underarms become excessively wet.
If you’re continually adapting your day around your sweating, discussing medical treatment may be worthwhile.
What Medical Treatment Is Available for Underarm Sweating?
For suitable patients, prescription injections can be used to reduce excessive underarm sweating.
Rather than permanently stopping the sweat glands, treatment temporarily reduces their activity in the targeted underarm area.
At Dr.Derme, treatment is doctor-led and requires an appropriate assessment to determine whether it is suitable for you.
What Is It Actually Like to Have Your Underarms Treated?
Treatment involves a series of small injections placed across the underarm area. The appointment itself is relatively straightforward, and you can discuss any concerns about discomfort beforehand.
You may have small injection marks, redness, tenderness or bruising afterwards, but these effects are generally temporary.
Your doctor will provide specific aftercare instructions following treatment.
Will I Stop Sweating Completely?
The aim of treatment is to reduce excessive underarm sweating, rather than prevent your body from regulating its temperature.
How much of a difference you notice will vary from person to person. The effects are also temporary, so sweating will gradually return as treatment wears off.
For many patients, however, the important change isn’t necessarily being completely dry – it’s no longer having underarm sweating dictate what they wear or how they approach everyday situations.
What About Body Odour?
Sweat itself isn’t the only factor involved in underarm odour. Odour develops when sweat interacts with bacteria naturally present on the skin.
Reducing excessive sweating may therefore help some people find underarm odour easier to manage, but sweating and body odour aren’t the same condition.
If odour rather than excessive wetness is your primary concern, it’s worth discussing this separately rather than assuming hyperhidrosis treatment is automatically the answer.
Why Choose Dr.Derme for Underarm Sweating Treatment?
When considering treatment for excessive underarm sweating, it’s important to choose a clinic where your symptoms can be properly assessed before treatment.
At Dr.Derme Skin Clinics, we offer:
– Doctor-led care – your suitability for prescription treatment will be assessed by an experienced medical professional.
– Personalised treatment – we consider how excessive sweating is affecting you and whether treatment is appropriate for your individual needs.
– Convenient locations – treatment is available at our clinics in Birmingham and London.
– Ongoing support – we’ll explain what to expect from your treatment, provide appropriate aftercare advice and discuss when further treatment may be considered.
Our aim is to help you manage excessive underarm sweating with an approach that’s appropriate for you.
Ready to Do Something About Excessive Underarm Sweating?
If you’ve tried antiperspirants and practical changes but still find yourself planning your clothes or daily activities around sweating, it may be time to explore your treatment options.
Book your excessive sweating consultation at Dr.Derme today to discuss your excessive underarm sweating and whether prescription treatment may be suitable for you.
✨ Book your consultation today at drderme.com/book
📞 Or call us on: 0800 009 6109
💬 Chat to us: WhatsApp
