Everything You Need To Know About Excessive Sweating
Want to get to the bottom of your excessive sweating? Don’t worry – we've got you! Discover everything you need to know about sweating too much, plus what you can do about it in this guide.
Why do we sweat?
We may not be its no.1 fan at times, but sweating is a normal and necessary bodily function. It’s our body’s way of cooling us down when we’re getting too hot. This usually happens when we’re in a hot environment, like spending time on the beach in the sun or shooting some hoops in the park in summer.
Body sweat is a blessing, really, allowing us to move our bodies and push our limits. But if you're sweating almost all the time, even if you’re not hot or actively exercising, you could be experiencing excessive sweating.
Excessive sweating occurs when someone sweats without the triggers of heat or physical activity.
What is excessive sweating?
Excessive sweating is when we sweat more than we are supposed to. Like if we sweat at nighttime when the room is perfectly cool or when we’re chilling on the sofa with sweaty palms and feet for seemingly no reason.
It can affect multiple parts of the body, including our:
This sweat may soak through your clothes, make your feet slide in your shoes, or drip from your hands and face. It can also smell worse than ‘normal’ sweat if it’s caused by anxiety or stress. That’s because this type of sweat attracts bacteria that love the taste of it and could cause body odor.
Although it’s usually nothing to worry about, excess perspiration can disrupt our day-to-day lives and cause embarrassment or even social anxiety in some cases. That's why it’s important to find out why our bodies are sweating in this way, find the best solution, and take back control.
Is excessive sweating a symptom of anxiety?
Yes, anxiety can cause us to sweat more than usual. This is because our bodies release the stress hormones cortisol and epinephrine (adrenaline) when we’re feeling stressed out or anxious.
Anxiety also sets off our sympathetic nervous system, triggering our flight-or-fight response. This is when our bodies think we’re in danger (even if we’re not). Because our bodies think we are going to run away or fight for our lives, they turn on the sweat taps to cool us down.¹
What can i do about excessive sweating?
Try implementing some of the lifestyle changes below to see if they can help reduce the amount you sweat.
Keep cool
This may seem like an obvious one but try to avoid getting too hot. Plan your outfits carefully and stay in the shade on hot days where possible.
Stay hydrated
Another way to stay cool is to drink plenty of cool water throughout the day. Not only does it help lower your body temperature, but it also replaces some of the water lost through sweating.
Choose breathable or sweat-wicking fabrics
When it comes to your clothing, go for breathable, natural fibers like cotton, wool, and silk where possible. Working out? Choose outfits made of sweat-wicking fabrics like polyester blends.
Up your antiperspirant game
Antiperspirant reduces the amount you sweat, helping you fight dreaded pit stains and B.O. But you’ve got to make sure you’re using the good stuff.
Give our clinical collection a try for prescription-strength wetness protection for up to 72 hours, so you can face the day with confidence:
For women: Degree® 5in1 Protection Clinical Antiperspirant Deodorant
For men: Degree® Men Clean Clinical Antiperspirant Deodorant
Hit the shower
Showering daily is a must if you want to tackle your excessive sweating. Try using an antibacterial soap to target any lingering, odor-causing bacteria.
Re-evaluate your diet
Did you know that some foods and drinks can make you sweat more? Try to avoid spicy food, caffeine, and alcohol.
Reduce stress
If you think your sweating is connected to stress, practicing self-care and promoting relaxation is essential. We know it’s one of the hardest things to do, though, so check out more tips on how to do this in our article on stress sweat.
We hope this has helped you understand excessive sweating a little better. And now you know more, you can do more about it. Remember, however bad it may seem, sweat shouldn’t get in the way of you doing what you love and moving your body freely and confidently.
References:
- Harker M. Psychological sweating: a systematic review focused on aetiology and cutaneous response. Skin Pharmacology and Physiology. 2013.
