How To Stop Sweating Through Your Shirt
One of the most embarrassing things for heavy sweaters is perspiring through clothing. Whether you’re at the office, on a date, or about to give a speech, the last thing you want is someone staring at your pit stains or the sweat patch coming from your back.
When I was looking for a solution to this problem, I read a lot of stuff about using powders and herbal remedies. But powders don’t stop sweat from pouring through your clothes, and I didn’t have time to see if herbal remedies were going to work. I had a speech to give; and quite frankly, I was ready for this embarrassing problem to go away.
So how exactly did I stop sweating through my shirts? Here’s what works for me, and I know it can help you too.
#1: Sweat Proof Undershirts
This is probably the invention that has helped me the most. Their are several brands out there, but I like the way the Thompson Tees fit and feel. They guarantee it blocks 100% of underarm sweat, and I can attest to this. I don’t wear an undershirt every day, but I don’t go without one on days that I’m giving a presentation or meeting with clients. They have a lot more styles than they used to, such as V-necks, slim fit, and the traditional crewneck (for both men and women). I purchased my last several shirts on Amazon because of the Prime shipping. You can buy them on Thompsontee.com or see what options they offer on Amazon here.
#2: Armpit Pads
A few months before I started wearing Thompson Tees, I wore armpit pads. They did exactly as they promised and kept my underarm sweat from coming through. Most are peel and stick, and you just apply them to the inseam of your shirt.
Although they worked like a charm, they didn’t do anything for my back sweat. If that’s not a problem for you, then armpit pads will work just fine. I used Kleinart’s, but I’m sure the other brands work just as well. They run about $13 for a 24-pack on Amazon.com, but you can check the current price here.
#3: Clinical Strength Antiperspirant
As a teenager, I used to put the deodorant on thick. I just wish I had found out earlier in life that there was a huge difference between deodorant and a good antiperspirant. I used to wear just plain deodorant thinking that was doing something for my sweat problem, but then I realized that was just masking the odor. A good antiperspirant will actually block the sweat ducts from reaching the skin’s surface. I personally like to use Certain Dri, which is prescription strength (you don’t need a prescription). Last time I checked, it was less than 6 bucks.
Other Long-term Solutions To Stop Sweating Through Your Shirts
Undershirts, armpit pads, and antiperspirants will definitely stop the sweat from coming through your clothes. And you may be perfectly fine stopping there. But you may also be wondering if there’s something else you could be doing to help stop sweating so much. If so, here are some other more long-term solutions to sweating you might consider.
Oral medication
The most commonly prescribed medications for controlling excessive sweating are anticholinergics. This type of oral medicine is designed to reduce sweating for the entire body as opposed to just one area. They work by preventing the stimulation of the sweat glands, which decreases overall sweating. It requires a prescription and is usually reserved for more extreme cases such as those with severe hyperhidrosis.
Botox Injections
Botox injections can block the nerves that cause sweating. They typically are injected to stop sweating under the armpits, hands, or other specific areas of the body where excessive sweating is a problem. The downside to botox is that it has to be reinserted every 6 – 12 months. But a few moments of pain for months of relief may just be worth it for some.
ETS Surgery
Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy surgery is the most extreme treatment one can undergo for sweating. In this procedure, surgeons attempt to cut off the transmission of nerve signals from the spinal column to the sweat glands to prevent the nerve signals for “turning on” the sweat glands. This type of surgery is irreversible and reserved for the more extreme cases.
Wear Breathable Clothing
You don’t want to sweat through your shirts or other clothing, so avoid wearing clothing that makes your body temperature rise. Stick to light, cotton fabric as much as possible. Cotton is breathable and better at wicking moisture than other materials such as polyester, which can harbor sweat and cause irritation and discomfort.
Conclusion:
Know that you have plenty of options to stop the sweat from coming through your shirt. Whether you choose to do the methods that I use, or look into something more serious, you now have some tools in your arsenal to combat this embarrassing problem.