Sweating Under Stress
- Apply antiperspirants at bedtime. Clinical-strength antiperspirants recommend bedtime application, but medical experts say that all antiperspirants work best when applied at night. You're less prone to sweat in your sleep, and the aluminum-based active ingredients are pulled into your sweat glands. The glands then produce less perspiration for the next 24 hours or so, even after you bathe. Blocking your pores with antiperspirant is not unhealthy, according to medical experts. You can apply antiperspirant at night to your underarms, hands or feet, as needed.
- Bathe regularly and dry thoroughly. Using an antibacterial detergent or soap will help keep bacteria on your skin in check. And be sure to dry thoroughly after you bathe to discourage growth of more bacteria—remember, it's the bacteria feasting on sweat that causes odors.
- Rotate your shoes. Most shoes won't dry completely overnight, so alternate your shoes if you have sweaty feet.
- Choose the right socks—and change them often. Sport socks and wool socks help keep your feet dry by absorbing moisture. When you're active, choose moisture-wicking athletic socks, which are usually synthetic material. Cotton tends to hold moisture and does not wick away sweat effectively.
- Relax. Try relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation or biofeedback to help you control the stress that triggers sweat.
- Examine your diet. If foods or beverages cause you to sweat more than usual or cause unusual body odor, consider cutting back on such things as caffeinated drinks and foods with strong odors, such as garlic and onions.
Sweat Disorders
For some people, antiperspirants and lifestyle changes aren’t enough. If sweating interferes with your daily life or you experience a sudden change in how much you sweat (too much or too little), talk to your health care professional about the problem. Changes in sweating can signal a medical problem.
