Lifestyle changes, like reducing your caffeine intake or staying hydrated, can help manage your sweating. Using topical antiperspirants might also help.

If you’re bothered by how much you sweat, you’ve likely tried many different deodorant brands with no success.

In some cases, people who sweat too much may have a condition called hyperhidrosis, which a doctor can diagnose and treat. Hyperhidrosis involves profuse sweating all over the body, not just under the arms.

Excessive underarm sweating can be uncomfortable, but it doesn’t have to be inevitable. Several natural, over-the-counter, and medical remedies can reduce or eliminate excess underarm sweating. Consider the following tips.

Tired of the sweat stains on your shirt? Try ditching your standard deodorant and switching to antiperspirant. Deodorant might kill the odor under your arms, but it’s not designed to stop you from sweating completely.

Antiperspirants both kill odor-causing bacteria and actively block your sweat glandsTrusted Source from producing underarm sweat. This could help alleviate your discomfort.

For some people, however, over-the-counter antiperspirants don’t quite do the trick. If you find that regular antiperspirants don’t work for you, search for stronger antiperspirants with a higher amount of aluminum chloride, the active ingredient (10% to 15%).

And if that doesn’t work, talk with a doctor about getting a prescription for a stronger antiperspirant.

Tips for applying antiperspirant

It’s important to ensure you’re applying your antiperspirant correctly so that it can work as intended. Consider the following tips:

  • Only apply antiperspirant to dry, clean skin. Don’t apply it to already-sweaty armpits or armpits that are still damp from showering.
  • Use your antiperspirant at night, preferably after bathing or showering, when your body is coolest. This allows the active ingredient to take its full effect.
  • Shave under your arms, as hair can block antiperspirant from working. However, avoid applying it right after shaving, as antiperspirants can irritate your freshly shaved skin.
  • Give it time to work. It may take a few days before you experience the full effects.

After you shower, wait a few minutes before you get dressed for the day. This is especially important if you take hot showers or live in a hot, humid climate.

Allowing your body to become cool and dry before you put on clothes could help prevent your underarms from sweating right after you bathe.

Shaving your underarms won’t reduce the amount you sweat. However, hair holds onto moisture, and underarm hair is no exception. Shaving your underarms could reduce the amount of moisture that stays trapped there.

If you’re already experiencing heavy sweating under your arms, shaving may help reduce the body odor that comes along with sweat accumulation.

Caffeine stimulates the nervous system and increases sweating. It also raises your blood pressure and heart rate and kicks your sweat glands into high gear.

If you have hyperhidrosis, food and drinks that contain caffeine or theobromine (a precursor to caffeine) can make you sweat moreTrusted Source. Reducing or eliminating the following foodsTrusted Source may help:

  • coffee
  • tea
  • caffeinated soft drinks
  • chocolate

Some people experience a specific type of hyperhidrosis called gustatory hyperhidrosis, or sweating while eating. This typically occurs after eating spicy or acidic mealsTrusted Source.

ExpertsTrusted Source also recommend avoiding alcohol, which can be a trigger.

Drinking plenty of water and eating foods with a high water content can keep your body cool and prevent excessive underarm sweating.

Water-rich foods includeTrusted Source:

  • melons
  • strawberries
  • celery
  • spinach
  • pickles

Wearing tight clothes — especially clothes that are snug beneath your arms — can cause underarm stains on your shirt. They can also make you sweat more.

Instead, try wearing natural, breathable fabricsTrusted Source and clothes that fit more loosely. This will allow your underarms to cool properly and could help prevent them from sweating and staining your clothes.

You may also consider the use of underarm liners or pads.

The nicotine you take in when you smoke — much like caffeine — raises your body temperature, makes your heart beat faster, and causes your sweat glands to work overtimeTrusted Source.

Smoking is also associated with a host of other hygiene- and health-related concerns like bad breath, stained teeth, and cancer.

If other methods aren’t working, you might consider a medical procedure like Botox injections to stop excessive underarm sweating.

Research has shown that Botox injections are effective for treating excessive armpit sweating. Botox is a neurotoxin that a dermatologist can administer to block the communication from the sympathetic nerves that causes sweating.

The effects of Botox injections wear off, so you’ll need to repeat the procedure after some time for it to remain effective.

Several surgical options for treating hyperhidrosis are available, two of which are thoracic sympathectomy and sweat gland removal.

Thoracic sympathectomy is a minimally invasive surgery in which a surgeon cuts the sympathetic nerves so they can’t send signals to the sweat glands.

A surgeon can also remove your sweat glands through various surgical techniques, including excision, curettage, and liposuction.

Emerging treatments

According to a 2021 reviewTrusted Source, some emerging treatments for excessively sweaty armpits may include:

Excessive sweating occurs when nerves send signals to the sweat glands without being triggered by heat or physical exertion, and the sweat glands become overactive.

ResearchTrusted Source suggests that hyperhidrosis might be hereditary for some people because scientists have observed it in family histories. However, they have yet to identify the exact gene that causes the condition.

Some medical conditions also cause excessive sweating, including:

Excessive sweating is also a side effect of several medications. Consult a doctor if you suspect you’re experiencing excessive sweating from a medical condition or medication.

Make an appointment with a doctor if home and over-the-counter remedies are ineffective.

In some cases, you may need a special prescription antiperspirant. Treatments like Botox injections are available when you’ve exhausted your options. Your doctor will guide you toward the best options for your body.

It’s possible to change your habits to minimize how frequently you sweat. Adjusting your diet and reducing caffeine intake may help manage your sweating. Using topical antiperspirants might also help.

If these methods aren’t working, talk with a doctor about medical options. With the right approach, you should soon be enjoying drier, more comfortable underarms again.