Safety tips for summer outdoors
Follow these summer safety tips when you’re outdoors.
We get it: There are times when you’re in a social situation and the last thing you want is to sweat.
Hyperhidrosis is the medical term for excessive sweating in the armpits, face, scalp, palms and feet, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine, which also notes that sufferers often report “feelings of social isolation and withdrawal from others to avoid touching others” and avoid things like dating, business activities and other social events for “fear of body odor and damp clothing.”
First things first: Sweating is a completely normal bodily function and nothing to be ashamed of, health experts say. But there is hope if you want to do something to change it.
“For those struggling with the psychological effects of excessive sweating and body odor, it’s important to understand that these conditions are common and treatable,” plastic surgeon Joel E. Kopelman MD, who frequently treats patients looking to curb their sweating, tells USA TODAY.
Would you like to sweat less? Here you can find out what doctors want to tell you.
Why do I sweat so easily and so much?
Sweating is your body’s natural response to the need to cool down, and according to Stanford Medicine, there are times when heavy sweating is a completely normal response to a physical condition, such as during exercise, in hot weather, or during puberty or menopause.
“Excessive sweating can (also) be due to overactive sweat glands,” Kopelman adds. Genetics, stress and hormonal changes can also affect how much you sweat. Certain medications you take can also affect the amount of sweat.
Sometimes, however, sweating can be a sign that something is wrong with your body. If you’re sweating without an obvious trigger, experts say that may be a reason to see a doctor.
“It’s normal to sweat during physical activity, in hot environments or when you’re stressed,” says Kopelman. “However, if you sweat excessively without these triggers, it may indicate hyperhidrosis or other health problems.”
According to Stanford Medicine, excessive sweating is sometimes caused by health problems such as diabetes, heart failure, an overactive thyroid, or anxiety.
What are the symptoms of heat exhaustion? Here’s what you should keep in mind.
How to avoid excessive sweating
If you want to curb your excessive sweating, Kopelman says you can try a number of options, including using a stronger antiperspirant, wearing “breathable” fabrics like linen or cotton, and focusing on stress management.
If these measures don’t help, you can also see a doctor to see if prescription medications, Botox (which not only helps with wrinkles but “can effectively reduce underarm and palm sweating by blocking the nerves that stimulate sweat glands,” Kopelman says), or other treatments for more severe cases of hyperhidrosis might be right for you.
Stay calm: Experts explain how to protect yourself in record temperatures and avoid sunburn
However, health experts also want to remind you that sweating is important for cooling your body, so the goal should never be to stop sweating completely.
“It is generally safe to reduce sweating, especially if it causes discomfort or social anxiety. However, it is not advisable to completely suppress the body’s natural cooling process,” says Kopelman. “Treatments like Botox are targeted and do not affect the body’s overall ability to regulate temperature.”
