How to Stop Sweaty Underarms

Overview

Sweating is both natural and healthy, according to the Mayo Clinic. Sweaty underarms are the body's way of cooling itself down after physical exertion, such as exercise, during hot weather or in response to strong emotions, such as anxiety or stress. But sweaty underarms can also pose a nuisance, especially when perspiration mingles with the bacteria on the skin's surface to create body odor, or when sweat seeps through clothing and causes a noticeable stain. If you want to stop sweaty underarms, your first plan of action involves choosing the right over-the-counter treatment and using it correctly.

Step 1

Use an antiperspirant rather than a deodorant. Mayo Clinic experts state that deodorants, which are typically high in alcohol content, fight body odor by neutralizing the acid on the skin, making it less palatable to bacteria. But they won't stop sweating. Antiperspirants work by temporarily plugging the sweat glands, which in turn inhibits perspiration.

Step 2

Choose an antiperspirant that contains aluminum chloride hexahydrate, which the International Hyperhidrosis Society (IHS) considers to be most effective. The IHS notes that antiperspirants that contain 10 to 15 percent aluminum chloride hexahydrate work the best on sweaty underarms.

Step 3

Use antiperspirants twice daily, in the morning and in the evening, or in the evening alone, to get the best results. The IHS notes that this method of antiperspirant use yields better results than using them once in the morning.

Step 4

Apply antiperspirants to dry skin in a thin, uniform layer---a thick layer won't work better, notes the IHS; it will merely cause more of the product to get on your clothes. Wait for the antiperspirant to dry completely before putting on your shirt or blouse. The acids in antiperspirants are responsible for staining and fading fabric---not perspiration itself.

Step 5

Seek your doctor's help if antiperspirant use doesn't work or if your underarms sweat excessively for no apparent reason. You may have hyperhidrosis, a medical condition in which the sweat glands secrete more perspiration than is needed to cool your body. Your physician may recommend a stronger prescription antiperspirant for you to use or another medical treatment.