Sweaty armpits

What you can do for sweaty armpits

Avoid pungent foods such as onions, fish, garlic and spicy meals. These foods can be smelt in sweat and make it more noticeable.

Malt vinegar is an old-fashioned remedy that might be worth a try. Apply some to your armpits at night. Wash it off in the morning and then use your normal deodorant/antiperspirant.

Commercial antiperspirants. You have probably tried most commercial deodorants and antiperspirants, but check the labels and look for one with a different active ingredient. If you have heard a rumour about antiperspirants/deodorants and breast cancer, take a look at the section on antiperspirants and breast cancer.

Shave your armpits. Hair holds sweat and gives the bacteria more to work on.

20% aluminium chloride is the next thing to try if ordinary antiperspirants have not done the trick, but it can damage clothing. It can be bought from the pharmacist (ask for Drichlor, Anhydrol Forte, Odaban or Perspirex) and should be used as follows.

Before going to bed, wash and dry your armpits thoroughly. If you apply the solution to wet skin, a chemical reaction produces hydrochloric acid, which can irritate skin and tarnish jewellery. If necessary, use a hair dyer to ensure your skin is absolutely dry.
Apply the solution when you are lying down in bed. This sounds odd, but armpit sweating switches off when you lie flat, and the solution will be more effective if applied then. The solution works by passing into the openings of the sweat glands, causing them to swell up and block, but if sweat is pouring out of the glands when you apply the solution, it will not be able to get in.
It works best if the area is covered with plastic cling-film (food wrap). Unfortunately, the armpit is an awkward shape. Use tape (such as Micropore, which you can buy from a pharmacy) to hold the plastic wrap in place, then put on a tight-fitting T-shirt to help keep it in position.
Do not apply the solution directly after shaving, or the skin may become sore.
Wash off the solution in the morning, and do not reapply until bedtime.
If it proves effective reduce the application to every other night, and then to once or twice a week. Do not use it every day, because it can irritate the skin.
If it causes irritation, applying 1% hydrocortisone cream twice a day for not more than 2 weeks can help.

What doctors can do for sweaty armpits

Iontophoresis is a treatment in which special spongy pads are applied to the armpit. These pads are moistened with tap water or a solution of glycopromium bromide, and are then connected to a small electric current from a special machine. Several treatments are needed initially, and sweating is then prevented or minimised for a variable time (maybe only a few days, but possibly several weeks). The treatment can then be repeated. Iontophoresis is available through some hospital dermatology (skin) or physiotherapy departments, and if it is successful you might wish to buy your own iontophopresis machine to use at home.

Botulinum toxin (Botox, Dysport) is a powerful poison, but injections of very tiny doses into the skin stop excessive sweating.

The injections are painful, but the pain is tolerable. Treatment takes about 30–45 minutes.
Botulinum toxin works by inactivating the nerves that trigger sweat-gland activity.
One treatment of about 12 tiny injections stops or substantially reduces armpit sweating for 2–8 months. After that, a repeat session will be needed.
This is a fairly new treatment, and is not available in all hospitals, but your doctor will be able to find out the location of the nearest specialist treatment centre.
It does not work for everyone, but about 9 out of 10 people respond (Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin 2005;43:77–80).
People who have had this treatment say that it greatly improves their quality of life (British Journal of Dermatology 2004;151:1115–22).
As you would expect, this treatment also reduces the smelliness of the armpits (Archives of Dermatology 2003;139:57–9).

A sympathectomy operation to destroy the sympathetic nerves that control sweating, often by keyhole surgery, is almost the last resort.

A general anaesthetic is required.
The sympathetic nerves lie in the chest just under the second, third and fourth ribs on each side. The surgeon operates through an incision in the chest wall and cuts the nerves or destroys them using an electrical current.
After the operation, you can return to a sedentary job after 1–2 weeks, and to a manual job after 2–3 weeks.
The immediate success rate is almost 80%, but after a few years only one-third of people who have had the operation are satisfied (Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin 2005;43:77–80).
The main drawback is that the body may compensate by increasing sweating elsewhere – usually the trunk, but sometimes the feet – so you may end up swapping sweaty armpits for a sweaty abdomen. This happens in between one-third and three-quarters of people who have had the operation. In 1 in 100, this ‘compensatory’ sweating is very severe, and they regret they had the operation. Unfortunately, the operation cannot be reversed.

Liposuction and subcutaneous curettage are methods of removing sweat glands from the deep layer of skin. They do not always work, and there may be bruising or scarring.

Surgical removal of some skin from the armpit is the final option. It can be dramatically effective, but can cause scarring so is rarely performed nowadays. Under a local anaesthetic, the surgeon removes a section of skin about 4 x 1.5 cm in size, taking away the most troublesome sweat glands.

Written by: Dr Margaret Stearn
Edited by: Dr Margaret Stearn
Last updated: Friday, February 26th 2010

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Comments on this article

Posted by Anonymous on 09/02/2010 at 07:43:00 pm

I have a really bad sweat problem. I take a shower every day in the morning before I leave the house to go to school and have found that this doesn't work. I have tried using various types of deodorant, none being effective whatsoever.. apart from one which was no use really because teh smell of the deodorant was very noticeable. Also every time I have P.E. I have to make sure I don't raise my arms up too high, so that peopel don't notice my sweat patches. It's so embarrassing and has had a serious toll on my social life. I'm 15 and have had this problem ever since being 13 or so. I don't know what to resort to next?

Posted by Rik on 23/01/2010 at 01:48:00 am

First, thanks for the first balanced, no-nonsense writeup on this topic. I am 44 years old and have suffered arm sweat since early teenage years. I have read a lot of the comments and recognize myself here. To the young people reading this, PLEASE don't let this condition stop you from reaching your full potential. If you were in a survival environment, the last thing on your mind would be sweat. You will also notice that the more distracted you are about other, more pressing issues, the less you will sweat. I recommend creating a personal "body environment" that minimizes the personal awareness concerns that trigger the sweating. Besides the tips and tricks on this web site, there are under garments specifically designed for us. I would follow all the recommendations on this site, related to clothing. Just knowing that your sweat won't show, will stop it in many cases. Personally, I have periods of more sweating. These can last for weeks followed by weeks of no problems at all (almost). I have also learnt to relax and not let perspiration bother me much. That will limit it too. I do a lot of networking events and that can trigger sweating. If I wear loose fitting clothes and a dress jacket, it simply won't show and I can manage. I am in pursuit of solutions and have been off and on for my whole adult life. I have actually just ordered some white shirts that have armpit protection. I have not received them yet, so we will see.

Posted by Anonymous on 31/12/2009 at 12:55:00 am

I have a really big problem with sweating and have done for about 3 years. It is really embarassing and I have resorted to wearing mens tshirts so as to stop sweat patches being visible. It is also a trouble at work, where I must wear a white shirt I have considered quitting and getting a job where a uniform is not necessary, however I am still asked frequently why I wear guys clothes. I have tried all the strong anti-perspirants on the market and they have little effect. I was wondering whether the Botox injections would be suitable, however I don't know if I could get them being just 15years old?

Posted by Anonymous on 15/12/2009 at 05:38:00 pm

I tried lots of treatments for severe underarm sweating. The only thing that works for me is the Botox. I would recommend that anyone suffering badly sees thier GP about getting Botox. It really has changed my life. The discomfort of the treatment is far out wieghed by the benefits!!

Posted by ysm on 07/12/2009 at 01:48:00 am

since i was 13,my armpits start sweating and smell.Then i thought shave the hairs can be help,but it even worst then before.beside my skin become black as well.when i feel nerves,it sweat much more.if i take the Botox injection,can it help my skin back to normal colour or have any medical that can help for my skin?

Posted by Anonymous on 05/12/2009 at 10:31:00 am

i have a similar problem, spoke to my gp and within 2 months was booked in for the botox injections which i had yesterday. i know they take around a week to kick in so fingers crossed

Posted by KissKiss on 16/10/2009 at 03:08:00 pm

I have had the problem of sweaty armpits for at least a year now. It makes it really difficult in my everyday life. I feel really embaressed about it and often find myself wearing black which is depressing because im a naturally bubbly person. I know i need to go to the doctors but im worried about what the cause of it might be.

Posted by Anonymous on 10/10/2009 at 12:54:00 pm

armpithair

Posted by Anonymous on 29/09/2009 at 08:00:00 pm

I'm a 13 year old girl from the UK and I have a problem with sweating. I have to wear my jumper all the time in school so people wont notice. It is really getting my down because no one else seems to have this problem. I've tried lots of things but nothing works. Please help - what should I do ? Thanks, Girl,13,UK

Posted by Anonymous on 18/09/2009 at 11:31:00 pm

hi im a 15 year girl who has had a sweaty armpit problem. i have tried everything but nothing seems to work. its very embarrasing espcially in school because kids would tell ill why are you sweating. i pretend i dont hear them and leave. its very hard to deal with. i try talk it over with my mom but she can not help no matter what i do it just doesn't seem to work. any recommendations? what shall i do? :(

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