Page 15 - (DK) Home Doctor: Providing practical advice on home treatments

COMMON CONDITIONS: GENERAL SYMPTOMS 13

Excessive sweating

Almost everyone sweats more than usual when exercising or in hot weather, but some people generally sweat
too much. Excessive sweating is common in adolescence but can continue throughout life. It can cause body
odor and affect work and social relationships. People who sweat excessively are also more prone to fungal
skin infections. Although some people are naturally susceptible to this problem, other factors, such as stress
and anxiety, may have a significant role. Excessive sweating sometimes occurs in women around the time
of menopause, or as a feature of conditions such as an overactive thyroid gland.
See also Athlete’s foot and jock itch, p.44.

See your doctor first
DRUG REMEDIES
Make an appointment to see your doctor if:
Antiperspirants and deodorants
● The sweating is prolonged or unusual
Antiperspirants block the pores that produce sweat,
● You are losing weight
while deodorants attack the skin bacteria that cause
body odor. Many products contain a combination of
the two. Apply them daily after washing. If you develop
What you can do yourself skin irritation, use a hypoallergenic product. Absorbent,
deodorizing foot powders are available for feet.
There are some useful home treatments that help
Aluminum chloride preparations
reduce sweating and body odor.
treat excessive sweating. Available as a roll-on
● Bathe or shower at least once daily in warm (but applied to dry skin at nighttime. You can wash or
not hot) water. Dry yourself thoroughly afterward. shower the next day. One application can prevent
sweating for 3 days or longer. Don’t use on broken
● Use an antiperspirant or an antiperspirant or irritated skin or near eyes, or if you have recently
combined with a deodorant. If an ordinary product shaved or used depilatories.
does not work, try a stronger preparation containing
aluminum chloride (see DRUG REMEDIES, right).
Using aluminum
● Wear clean underwear and clothes every day. chloride
Choose natural fabrics, such as cotton, particularly Wash thoroughly
next to your skin. Avoid tight clothes. and make sure
that your skin
● If your feet get sweaty, wear leather shoes is completely dry
and cotton socks, and change both regularly. before you apply
Go barefoot or wear sandals whenever possible. the antiperspirant.
● Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day, to
replace lost body fluids. Cut down on alcohol and
drinks containing caffeine, particularly hot drinks.

● Avoid spicy foods, which are likely to make you Seek further medical advice
sweat, and onions and garlic, because of the odor.
Arrange to see your doctor if:
● If you sweat when you are anxious, try practical
● You are still troubled by excessive sweating
techniques that reduce stress (see pp.20–21).
or body odor after following the advice
● If you are overweight, try to lose some weight. described here
● You have any other symptoms associated
with the excessive sweating