Sweat — it does a body good. Without sweating, you wouldn’t have a natural way to regulate your body temperature, meaning that things could get heated pretty quickly.
But sweat can also be a huge pain in the you-know-what. Excessive sweating can interfere with daily life, making you feel self-conscious about spending time with friends or family. In some cases, too much sweat can be a sign of an underlying issue. Here are a few ways that sweat can get in the way of your life–and a few ways you can deal with it.
It Ruins Your Clothes
First things first, excessive sweating really does a number on your clothing. If you’ve ever soaked through the sleeves of a blouse or other shirt and had to change in the middle of the day, you know what we mean.
Beyond soaking clothing, it can also increase your risk for stains, and in some cases, mildew. For example, if you wear deodorant and antiperspirant, the product can transfer to the underarms of your shirts. Over time, antiperspirant is usually responsible for those yellow stains that form in the armpit area.
If you tend to perspire a lot when you work out or throughout the day, then you toss your sweat-soaked clothes into a hamper for a few days, there’s the chance that the clothes will develop mildew, or at the very least, an unappealing scent that will be difficult to wash out.
It Increases Your Laundry Bills
Having sweat stains on your clothing increases how frequently you have to wash them. Too much sweat can also mean that you have to pay more for special stain removers or for a trip to the dry cleaners or professional laundry service to get rid of the really tricky stains.
It Makes You Feel Self-Conscious
Sweating too much isn’t just tough on your clothing. It can also be tough on your self-esteem. For example, you might be less likely to go out with friends if you’re worried about sweat getting in the way. You might be hesitant to sign up for a dating website or to meet new people because you’re afraid that your armpits won’t cooperate.
It Can Make It Difficult to Do Everyday Things
While some people sweat a lot in the underarm area, others experience excessively sweaty palms. If you have sweaty hands, you might find that things that aren’t a challenge for others are a problem for you. For example, if your palms are often slicked in sweat, it can be difficult to hold a pen or pencil to write. Typing can also be challenge, as can preparing food in the kitchen, playing a musical instrument or even gripping the steering wheel when driving a car.
Occasionally, excessive sweating can make you appear rude. For example, someone wants to shake hands with you. But your palms are really slick because of sweat, so you decline their extended hand. Depending on the circumstances, that can be a difficult social situation to bounce back from.
It Can Be a Sign of a Medical Issue
Sometimes, a lot of sweat isn’t a big deal when it comes to your health. Some people just do sweat more than others. But there are also cases when a lot of sweat points to an underlying health concern.
Generally, there are two types of excessive sweating. One is primary hyperhidrosis, which means that a person sweats a lot without an underlying cause. The other type is secondary hyperhidrosis, which can develop along with a range of medical concerns. Health issues that can lead to excessive sweating can include diabetes, overactive thyroid, heart disease, leukemia and anxiety disorder, among others.
If you are concerned that your sweating is connected to a medical problem, it’s a good idea to see your doctor for a diagnosis.
What to Do About Excessive Sweat
Hyperhidrosis that occurs without another medical concern can be treated. One option is Botox, which temporarily “switches off” certain sweat glands, reducing the volume of sweat your body produces. Botox can provide results that last for about six months, after which you can repeat the treatment if you want.
Dr. Paul Vitenas offers Botox injections to patients suffering from unwanted perspiration at Mirror Mirror Beauty Boutique in Houston, Texas. If you’re tired of having sweat rule your life, call 281-810-9083 to schedule a consultation at Mirror Mirror Beauty Boutique today.