Underarm sweating is an uncomfortable and embarrassing problem. Sweat stains and odor seem to break through no matter what is done in attempt to prevent it. The most common type of remedy is an antiperspirant. Antiperspirants are topical treatments that contain active ingredients designed to mitigate sweat production on underarm skin. Examples of such ingredients are aluminium zirconium trichlorohydrex gly and aluminium zirconium tetrachlorohydrex gly. Some doctors, however, recommend using natural antiperspirants that contain no chemicals but rather the natural antiperspirant qualities of organic ingredients such as aloe, coriander, and lichen. While antiperspirants suffice for some, others must seek alternative solutions to halt problematic underarm sweating.

Another possible option is to consult a physician about using a prescribed medication. They are typically stronger versions of regular antiperspirants, with a higher concentration of active ingredients such as aluminum chloride. Prescriptions do carry the possibility of side effects, however, and common side effects for prescription-strength, topical antiperspirants are skin inflammation and itchiness.

Conditioning the skin can also prevent the excessive generation of underarm sweat. Conditioning is a long-term treatment, so it may take about a week to see full results. One way to condition the skin is with a malt vinegar such as apple cider vinegar. It works best if the armpit has very short or no hair, so it is important to keep the underarm trim. Applying it once daily at night and letting it dry fills the sweat pores, allowing for no sweat to enter them. Even washing does not undo the effect of the vinegar, for once it is absorbed in the skin, its effects are long-term.

Another daily conditioning treatment is the use of baking soda. The treatment is to make a thick paste with baking soda and a little water, apply it to fairly hairless armpits, and let it sit for 25 minutes before rinsing. Sweat is acidic whereas baking soda is basic, so a combination of sweat and baking soda immediately vaporizes. Thus, any sweat emitted from the skin instantly dries.

In certain extreme cases of underarm sweat, surgical removal of sweat glands is an option. The procedure to remove the sweat glands is performed in one of three ways: the glands may be sucked out through liposuction, cut, or scraped away from the skin. The elimination of sweat follows from a lack of sweat glands, but it should be considered a last resort when nothing else has worked.

Botox is yet another solution and one that receives considerable attention in the modern day. Botox involves injecting the armpit with a neurotoxin that inhibits the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is responsible for sweat gland function, so inhibiting it stops sweat production. It is highly acclaimed as a sure way to combat underarm sweat, but it is quite costly. It generally ranges from $700 to $1400, depending on the number of injection sites, and it lasts for approximately six months before another treatment may be necessary. According to many doctors, however, Botox is a safer alternative to antiperspirants, which inhibit sweat glands and can thus lead to a chain reaction of damaged detox ability, a poor lymph system, which is correlated with breast cancer, and immune system damage.

Many different methods exist to counteract the unpleasantness of underarm sweat. Everyone is different, so finding the right treatment that is suitable to each individual is important. Cost and convenience are two issues to recognize when considering the proper sweat remedy. Whether by one or a combination of multiple remedies, underarm sweating is a concept of the past and need not be tolerated any longer.

Article inspired by Cosmos Clinic.