Everyone normally sweats by doing strenuous work or overexposed to the sun, but you must learn to stop excessive sweating if you perspire more than the normal. How would you know that you are sweating excessively? Let us first understand what is sweating and why it is important to sweat, and then decide what is excessive sweating and how to stop it.
Sweating is important as it cools down the body temperature. When your body begins to overheat, the sweat glands are stimulated by the nervous systems to release perspiration. So, what is excessive sweating and how you can stop this unwanted perspiration?
There is no simple answer to how much sweat is normal and what is excessive. Some people sweat more than others. It also depends on the surroundings and the activities you are performing.
Most people will sweat more when they exercise or doing any strenuous work. Under those circumstances the extra sweat is normal as the body is heated up due to exercise and it needs to cool down.
People working outdoors in hot sun may perspire more than the people working indoors in an air-conditioned atmosphere.
Let us first understand how sweat cools down the body.
Sweat is almost all water. Some electrolytes such as salts are also lost in sweating. Some toxins may find their way into the sweat , but sweating is not a detox for your body. Detox is done in the liver, kidneys and lungs not in the skin.
What Causes Excessive Sweating?
If you generally perspire more than the others then you really don't have to worry too much. That is the way your body is made up.
However, if you perspire profusely in a certain part of your body then you may be suffering from a condition called Hyperhidrosis. The condition usually is genetic but not always causes excessive sweating in the underarm, feet, hands or face.
Other underlying condition such as diabetes and hyperthyroidism can cause excessive sweat. Menopause in some women causes excessive sweat. Certain medications can also cause excessive sweating. Check it out with your doctor.
Now if every odd disease or condition is ruled out by the doctor and you are still sweating a ton, then you are in perfect health. Just relax. You do not have to do anything about it.
The fitter you are, the more your sweat glands release perspiration. Most professional athletes sweat more compared to an occasional sport lover. If a trend regular athlete runs with a novice, then the trend athlete invariably sweat much more.
In this case the excessive sweat is not the cause of worry, but not sweating is the cause of concern. But that will go away and sweat glands will begin to release sweat once you regularly exercise.
If your body temperature rises above 104 degrees you may pass out due to heat stroke, that is why perspiration is necessary to keep the body temperature below that critical level.
Generally women have more sweat glands, but men perspire more doing the same activity.
People with more muscle mass sweat more than the people with less muscle mass as the activity produces more heat on the body of the people with more muscle mass.
Caffeine, alcohol, sugary sodas all act as diuretic and forces you to perspire more. Eating spicy food triggers you body temperatures to go up as a result you sweat more.
The hot weather heats up your skin pushing the sweat glands to release more perspiration.
So, you see there are plenty of causes for your excessive sweating, some are worrisome and the others are normal.
5 Ways to Reduce Excessive Sweating
Assuming that you are sweating excessively which is more than normal, then the following will help you to stop excessive sweating.
1. Avoid Certain Drinks and foods
Avoid drinking alcohol, caffeine and sugary sodas. Avoid spicy food. All these are the causes of excessive sweat and leaving them will reduce your sweating.
Start drinking more water. The well hydrated body keeps the body temperatures under control and doesn't allow the sweat glands to storm perspiration.
2. Reduce weight
Your body mass is one of the main causes of sweating so reduce the weight if you are obsessed or overweight. Losing weight will not only reduce your sweating but also will make you feel better overall. There are a number of ways to lose weight. try out what suits you.
3. Wear suitable Clothes
Some clothes do not let the air pass causing the body temperature to rise when it should not rise the temperature more than the normal. Avoid certain synthetic clothes which have no room for the air to pass.
Cotton works well but it gets wet due to perspiration. Wear cotton undergarment which will absorb the perspiration. This will reduce embarrassment in a social outfit.
Home Remedies for Excessive Sweating in Different Part of the Body
Excessive sweating usually affects certain parts of the body . Face, scalp, neck palms and feet, groin and under armpits are some of the most common places of excessive sweating. This is not a dangerous condition, but it can be a discomfort and embarrassing. Some home remedies can control your excessive for sweating.
1. Cucumber for Excessive Sweating on Face
In summer facial sweating is a common problem, but some people have facial sweating every season throughout the year. This condition is called Hyperhidrosis. It is a lot of inconvenience otherwise this facial sweating at any trigger be it ambient temperature rise of hard manual work, is clearing your pores.
You can use cucumber or cucumber juice to control your facial sweating effectively.
- keep the cucumber in refrigerator to become cool
- cut slices and put them on your face, then coolness provided by this is refreshing
- leave it there for 5-minutes and remove and wash your face with water.
You can apply cucumber juice with a cotton ball on the face to get the same results.
2. Coconut for Excessive Sweating in Palms and Feet
Coconut oil is an excellent remedy for all kinds of excessive sweating but particularly for the palm and feet sweating it is most effective. Lauric acid in the Coconut oil fights the bacteria that causes the sweat.
- after taking bath apply coconut oil on the affected area
- rub it well until the oil gets absorbed by the skin
- leave it there throughout the day
- wash the area with water and apply again before going to the bed.
If you apply coconut oil daily then you will see that the sweating will have reduced within a week. Continue using it. Be aware that it may stain clothing.
3. Lemon for Excessive Sweating Under Armpits
Lemon is a very effective remedy for sweating. It has astringent property and acts as a natural deodorant as it contains citric acid that eliminates the bacteria and its pleasant odor. Use lemon during night to get the best results.
If you have sensitive skin then dilute lemon juice with water before application otherwise direct application of lemon juice underarm will be very effective in controlling your sweat.
- cut a lemon into two halves
- rub the cut lemon under armpits and squeeze the juice to evenly apply on the skin
- wash it with water in the morning
4. Baking Soda
Baking soda helps balance pH of the skin. It is alkaline and it fights bacteria that thrive in the acidic environment of sweating. You can dust baking soda in the affected area and leave it there. Do if after taking bath or washing and drying the affected area.
5. Apple Cider Vinegar for Sweating Underarms and Feet
Apple cider vinegar has a astringent property that controls the sweating process. It helps to balance the pH levels of the body, especially in the underarms or feet, to get rid of the bacteria.
- Apply apple cider vinegar with cotton balls under arms
- leave it overnight
- wash it with water during the morning
On your feet you can apply apple cider vinegar by cotton ball 2-3 times daily for quick results to control sweating on the feet and soles. Alternatively you can add apple cider vinegar in a tub and soak your feet for 10-15 minutes.
Drinking Apple Cider Vinegar will also help reduce excessive sweating. Add one tablespoon of vinegar in a glass of water. Mix it well and drink.