It is a fact that we all sweat. But in some cases, people may be sweating excessively. This could trigger social anxiety, or you may find it brings you a sense of embarrassment. While sweating is a natural bodily function, there are steps you can take to reduce or prevent excessive perspiration. In this article, we shall explore options that can help to stop sweating excessively.
Causes of Sweating:
- Hot environment
- Physical activities
- Stress and anxiety
- Consumption of hot or spicy foods
- Excessive consumption of alcohol
- Effect of illness, like fevers or infections
- Hormonal changes, especially in women, like menopause or pregnancy
- Side effect of some types of medication or surgery
Remedies to Stop Sweating:
1.) Cornstarch and Baking Soda for Sweat Treatment
The area on your body where the rate of sweating is the highest is your underarms. We know that using deodorants and antiperspirants can help to reduce and even stop sweating excessively. Make your own natural deodorant to stop sweating. This mix of cornstarch and baking soda is free from any potentially harmful chemicals.
- Make a dry mix of 2 parts cornstarch and 1 part baking soda.
- Wipe away the excess sweat from your underarms first, then apply a layer of this mix, like you would apply talcum powder.
- Leave it on for 30 minutes then rinse away.
- Alternatively, melt and combine 1/4 cup coconut oil, 1/4 cup cornstarch, and 1/4 cup baking soda over a double boiler.
- Pour this liquid into an appropriate container, like that of an empty stick deodorant.
- Allow the mixture to cool and solidify.
- Once solid, apply this to underarms daily.
- Store this homemade deodorant in the fridge.
2.) Herbal Tea to Stop Sweating
The herb, sage, has been observed to contain properties that seem to curb excessive sweating. It is a good remedy to stop sweating excessively, especially in the underarms. Sage contains astringent properties that restrict sweat glands from producing excessive sweat. In addition, the antifungal and antibacterial properties of this herb control the growth of bacteria that cause body odor. Sage tea seems like the best way to harness the goodness of this herb.
- Simply mix together 3 parts of walnut and sage leaves along with 2 parts of strawberry and stinging nettle leaves.
- Add this mix to 250ml of boiling water.
- Reduce the heat and let it brew for 5 minutes.
- Drink this tea before going to bed for maximum impact.
3.) Control Sweating with Witch Hazel
Witch hazel is a powerful herbal liquid extract that is useful to counter a number of health conditions. This herbal liquid contains important compounds such as tannins and catechins, and essential oils such as hexanol, carvacrol and choline, and more. All these help to stop sweating excessively, especially on the face. It is also a natural astringent, which shrinks the skin pores and blocks the escape for sweat.
- For this, all you need is some witch hazel extract and cotton pads.
- Soak a cotton pad in the liquid witch hazel extract.
- Gently squeeze out the excess and place it on sweat prone areas, like the armpits, feet, and face.
- Leave this on for 30 minutes.
- Now rinse with cool water and pat dry.
- Follow this procedure regularly.
4.) Potato to Reduce Excessive Sweating
Rubbing a slice of raw potato on areas with a high sweat rate seems to help reduce this excessive perspiration. This is a very popular home remedy to prevent sweating. Potatoes possess an almost unique quality which is to absorb water from the body. And due to this quality, it is regarded and an antiperspirant and blocking agent.
- To follow this remedy, all you need is a potato and a knife.
- Cut the potato into slices of medium thickness.
- Rub one slice each in every sweat-prone area for a few minutes.
- Allow the potato slice to absorb the excess sweat, and prevent further sweating.
- Leave this to dry completely before wearing clothes.
- Alternatively, extract the juice from a raw potato.
- Grind the potato down and squeeze to get this juice.
- Soak a cotton ball/pad in this and rub over the sweat-prone areas.
- Leave it to dry completely.
5.) Tea Tree Oil to Stop Sweating
Tea tree essential oil acts as a powerful natural antifungal and astringent agent. Most people who are affected by excessive sweating, or in some cases Hyperhidrosis, are at a higher risk to develop fungal infections. This is because of the perpetual moisture on their skin. This essential oil works to counter this effect as well as kill any fungal infections.
- To use this remedy, you will need tea tree essential oil and some water.
- Into 1/2 cup of fresh water add 5-6 drops of tea tree oil.
- Stir briefly to mix the ingredients well.
- Soak a cotton ball in this solution.
- Apply it directly to the sweat-prone areas.
- Repeat this procedure regularly to combat excessive sweating and fungal infections.
Ways to Stop Sweating:
1.) Dress Right to Stop Sweating Excessively
Most people find that they sweat excessively during physical activities where they exert their bodies. This is especially true during exercise. Another smaller percentage finds that they experience a lot of sweating even otherwise. Before applying extreme measures to stop sweating, try to bring changes into your wardrobe.
- Buy more lightweight and breathable fabrics.
- Cotton is a good example of this type of fabric.
- For exercise, athletic clothing is perfect.
- This industry has evolved its fabrics exceptionally well to accommodate for too much sweat.
- Wear layers to minimize sweating.
- An undershirt and camisole top can help to absorb sweat before it stains the outer clothing.
- Avoid fabrics that have a tighter weave.
- These make the clothes hotter as it restricts free airflow.
- Silk is an example of a fabric to avoid.
- One other tip is to choose the right color clothing.
- White tends to show more sweat, while sweat on darker colors is not as visible.
2.) Ways to Prevent Nighttime Sweating
Nighttime sweating is arguably the most uncomfortable. It can become hard to sleep and you leave your sheets embarrassingly soaked in sweat. Here are some good tips on how to stop sweating at night and have a peaceful sleep.
- The first step is to pick your bed linens wisely.
- Breathable, lightweight fabrics are the best bet.
- Thin cotton sheets work well for this.
- During winter time, try to avoid a down-filled comforter.
- Choose a bedspread of a lightweight fabric.
- Simple cotton stuffed comforters are an acceptable replacement.
- In conclusion, pick bed sheets that are made of an absorbent material.
3.) Control Caffeine to Control Sweat
One sure way to reduce and stop sweating excessively is to cut back on the daily caffeine intake. Coffee may be the morning concoction that gets your mind moving, but your sweat glands are probably protesting. It has been shown to be a stimulus for the central nervous system, which in turn activate and control your sweat glands.
In addition, the heat from this bitter brew raises the internal body temperature and falsely alerts your body to produce more perspiration to cool it down. So if excess sweating is a problem for you, then it’s time to bring down the mugs of coffee. You can also cut out caffeine from your diet by staying away from sugary, aerated beverages.
4.) Spicy Food to Stop Sweating
There are certain foods can affect the amount of sweat produced by your body. This happens because these foods increase the internal body temperature when digested. And so, your sweat glands work harder to increase perspiration to cool the body.
Good examples of such food are the ones that contain capsaicin, like chilies and hot peppers. In addition, other types of food can make your sweat smell bad. Sweat on its own does not have any odor. The foods we eat affect the constitution of our sweat. Onions and garlic are examples of such foods.
5.) Antiperspirants to Regulate Sweat
One way around this problem of excessive sweat is to switch out regular deodorants and antiperspirants with higher-strength ones. The best time to apply these antiperspirants is at night. The main active ingredient needs the time to absorb and clog the sweat pores. As opposed to this, applying these higher-strength antiperspirants will have no effect if applied in the morning. This is because the sweat volume is typically higher, washing off the active ingredient. During a particularly stressful time, reapply this in the middle of the day, or before the stressful event (like an important meeting).