Hyperhidrosis: 6 tips dermatologists give their patients

Treating hyperhidrosis is the best way to get relief. To get the best results from treatment, board-certified dermatologists recommend following these tips to help you feel more comfortable:

1. Use antiperspirant instead of deodorant to reduce sweating. Antiperspirants help reduce sweating. Deodorants don’t. Deodorants are made to mask or stop body odor.
   
   If you want to use both products, you have a few options:

   • Choose a product that contains both an antiperspirant and a deodorant.
   • When using an antiperspirant that your dermatologist prescribed, apply it before bed to dry skin. Apply deodorant when you wake up. If you also need to apply the antiperspirant when you wake up, ask your dermatologist when it’s best to apply deodorant.
   When using a prescription antiperspirant, follow your dermatologist’s directions. Apply it where your dermatologist prescribes, such as your palms, feet, or behind your knees. Keep in mind that you may need to apply it at night to dry skin, then again in the morning.

2. Keep a sweat journal to find what triggers your sweating. A trigger is a specific activity or thing that causes you to start sweating heavily. Triggers often vary from person to person. Keeping a sweat journal can help you find yours.
   
   To keep a sweat journal, write down when your sweating occurs and what you were just doing. Triggers for hyperhidrosis include heat, spicy foods and drinks, and caffeine. Keep in mind that many different foods can be a trigger, including foods that are fatty, sugary, salty, or contain plenty of protein. Drinking alcohol is another possible trigger.
   
   Feelings can also be a trigger. If you’re feeling anxious, nervous, fearful, or stressed, that could trigger heavy sweating.
   
   Once you find your triggers, try to avoid them. This can reduce how much you sweat.

   Caffeine and other stimulants can trigger hyperhidrosis

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   Common triggers in foods and beverages are caffeine and theobromine (thee-uh-bro-meen).

   If these trigger your hyperhidrosis, you can reduce flare-ups by avoiding:

   • Coffee

   • Teas that contain caffeine

   • Cola soft drinks

   • Chocolate

   • Cocoa

3. Dress for success. Here are tips that dermatologists give their patients:

   • Wear breathable fabrics like cotton. These help you feel more comfortable.
   • Carry a spare set of clothes, so you can change into something dry if needed.
   • Consider wearing underarm shields or dress shields, which help protect your clothing from sweat.

4. Care for sweaty feet. When hyperhidrosis affects your feet, dermatologists recommend the following:

   • Change your shoes and socks often. It’s helpful to avoid wearing the same shoes two days in a row. A day off can allow shoes to dry before you wear them again.
   • Slip off your shoes when you can. This helps to prevent odor, irritation, and skin infections.
   • Choose shoes, including sandals, made of a natural material like leather. Natural materials allow air to circulate.
   • Wear socks made of fabrics that wick moisture away from your skin. Bamboo naturally wicks away moisture. When buying other socks, look for the words “moisture wicking.”
     
     You’ll find moisture-wicking socks made of polyester, nylon, and other fabrics. Keep in mind that not all clothing made of polyester or nylon wicks away moisture. That’s why it’s important to look for the words “moisture wicking.”
   • Use shoe insoles and foot powder that absorb wetness. Doing so can leave your feet feeling more comfortable.

5. Drink plenty of water. Sweating can dehydrate you.
   
   Before you increase the amount of water you drink, check with your doctor. The amount of water you need depends on your overall health, the medications you take, how active you are, and other considerations.

6. Take care of your mental health. Does sweating heavily make you feel anxious or depressed? Getting counseling, joining a support group, or learning more about hyperhidrosis may help.
   
   For more information about hyperhidrosis, visit other pages on this website about hyperhidrosis. Board-certified dermatologists reviewed all this information.
   
   You can also learn more about hyperhidrosis at the Hyperhidrosis Society.

Dermatologists understand that living with excessive sweating can reduce your quality of life. When you partner with a board-certified dermatologist to treat hyperhidrosis, you can get sweating under control.

To find a dermatologist who can help, go to Find a Dermatologist and type “excessive sweating” into the search box.

References
Schwartz RA, Altman R. “Hyperhidrosis.” Medscape. Last updated Mar 23, 2021. Last accessed Jun 19, 2024.

Smith CC, Pariser D. “Primary hyperhidrosis.” UpToDate. Last updated May 13, 2024. Last accessed Jun 26, 2024.

Written by:
Paula Ludmann, MS

Reviewed by:
Elizabeth Damstetter, MD, FAAD
Neelam Khan, MD, FAAD
William Warren Kwan, MD, FAAD
Temitayo A. Ogunleye, MD, FAAD
Sanna Ronkainen, MD, FAAD

Last updated: 7/16/24