Your Guide to Armpit Sweat

Sweaty pits are normal. But if you sweat constantly from your underarms, it could be a different story. So how can you stop armpit sweat?

The Pits of Perspiration: Understanding Armpit Sweat

The cold, clammy feeling of sweaty pits is uncomfortable. And when armpit sweat shows through your shirt, you have to deal with embarrassment and unwarranted stares.

Pit stains can happen anywhere and to anyone - whether you've been diagnosed with axillary hyperhidrosis (excessive underarm sweating) or not. Regardless, visible sweat marks cause undue stress (oh, which makes you to sweat even more).

So what causes underarm sweating and why do your armpits sweat so much?

Your body contains two to four million sweat glands. Most of the sweat glands are concentrated in your armpits, which is why you may experience more underarm sweating than in other parts of your body. Underarm sweating may be particularly excessive when you feel nervous or excited.

Underarm sweating is not only a biological issue but a genetic one. If sweating runs in your family, you may sweat more than others.

No matter the reason, underarm sweating is embarrassing and distracting. There’s nothing worse than flashing sweat rings to your coworkers in a meeting or during the dreaded first date. If your armpits constantly sweat, regardless of the temperature, your stress level or other external factors, you could have axillary hyperhidrosis.

Heavy Underarm Sweating

For more signs of hyperhidrosis, read our blog post: Hyperhidrosis or Not: 12 Signs Your Armpit Sweat Isn't Normal.

Signs of Axillary Hyperhidrosis

Do you sweat excessively when stressed - or even when it's cold — but don't know if qualifies as a medical condition?

With hyperhidrosis, sweating is uncontrollable and spontaneous. Anxiety, heat and other factors that would normally induce sweating only intensify it.

Here are other telltale symptoms of hyperhidrosis:

  1. You sweat unnecessarily
  2. Antiperspirants, powders or deodorants don't work
  3. You have family members who complain of excessive sweating

Triggers Of Armpit Sweat

While your armpit sweating may not classify as axillary hyperhidrosis, it could still interfere with your work or social life.

To help manage your excessive underarm sweating and regain control of your confidence, it's important to know some common yet stealthy sweat inducers.

  • Stress
  • Smoking
  • Anxiety
  • Heat
  • Anger
  • Excess weight

How to Stop Sweaty Armpits for Good

If your armpits get extra wet from time to time, invasive treatments and surgeries probably aren't the answer.

Here are some less risky options that provide relief from underarm sweating:

Antiperspirants

Antiperspirants block your sweat ducts to reduce the amount of armpit sweat you produce and also cover up the odor.

For the best sweat protection, apply antiperspirant to clean, dry skin before bed so the solution can fully absorb into your skin. Here are some top-rated options:

Antiperspirants can cause skin irritation and yellow stains and don't work for everyone. If you're in one of these camps. consider natural deodorants.

Natural Deodorants

Natural deodorants only mask the smell of underarm sweat but are less harmful to your skin. Deodorant alone won't stop armpit sweat, but when paired with a sweat proof undershirt (like Thompson Tee), you can prevent against odor and visible wet marks. Here are some effective natural deodorants:

The Thompson Tee

Obvious sweat marks are one of the most frustrating parts of sweaty pits. They destroy your clothes, drain your wallet and diminish your confidence. Thompson Tee sweat proof undershirts completely absorb armpit sweat and allow it to evaporate. Never pat down your pits with paper towels, toss out brand-new shirts ravaged by sweat or fear raising your arms again. Designed for people who sweat profusely, Thompson Tees are guaranteed to keep you dry.

Underarm Pads

If you need just a little extra armpit sweat protection, underarm sweat pads can work. They stick on your shirts or armpits to capture sweat and prevent it from hitting your shirt. Take caution when using underarm pads. though. The adhesive can rub off on your clothes, and the pads also cause serious rashes and redness.

Lifestyle Changes

Factors like body weight and diet can affect how much you sweat. Avoid drinking excessive alcohol and spicy foods to help suppress armpit sweat. Incorporating these foods into your diet can also help you sweat less:

  • Water and water-dense fruits and vegetables
  • Calcium-rich foods
  • Easily digestible foods like oats
  • Magnesium-rich foods
  • Whey
  • Green tea

Stress Reduction

Stressful situations can fire up your nervous system and unleash heavy armpit sweat. Controlling stressors can help curb sweat, though that's easier said than done.

Take a few minutes each day to try these stress reduction tips:

  • Start each morning with 15 minutes of long, deep breathing
  • Put armpit sweat out of mind by wearing a protective sweat proof shirt
  • Stay hydrated
  • Decide how you want to respond to stressful situations, and control your reaction
  • Dedicate an hour each day to something you're passionate about

Your Armpit Sweat Savior: Sweat Proof Thompson Tees

Obvious sweat marks are embarrassing and avoidable. That's why Thompson Tee co-founders Billy and Randy spent more than 10 years developing the only patented sweat proof technology called Hydro-Shield. The sweat shields are embedded in the underarms of every premium Thompson Tee undershirt to fight sweat all day long.

This lightweight layering system traps heat and moisture and allows it to evaporate rather than seep through to your outer layer – providing relief from wet marks and yellowing that quickly destroy your clothing and your confidence .