NHS doctor Karan Rajan has warned that those suffering with excess sweating may have a condition called hyperhidrosis. While this can be caused for no reason whatsoever, it may also be a warning sign of a more serious health issue
If your armpits can’t even take the UK’s pathetic excuse for a summer, there may be a bigger issue at hand.
We may not like to talk about it, but sweating is perfectly natural, especially if you’ve been exercising or in the sun all day. It’s our body’s main way of cooling ourselves naturally – as glands release sweat onto the skin which then evaporates and helps reduce our internal temperature.
However, if you’re sweating buckets just from standard day-to-day activities, you may have an underlying condition. NHS surgeon and Sunderland University lecturer Dr Karan Rajan (MRCS MBBS BSc) – has revealed the best ways to combat the issue, including a simple deodorant hack you might not have thought of.
“If you’re drenched in sweat all the time for no obvious reason you might just have a hardware glitch called hyperhidrosis – and it’s surprisingly common,” the Dr said in a now-viral TikTok video. “It’s not always easy to treat excessive sweating but [there] are some things that might help.”
The expert recommended using glycopyrronium wipes, which work by blocking the receptors responsible for sweat gland activation. However, you may require a prescription to get hold of these.
Dr Rajan also advised applying your deodorant at night time as this is when your sweat glands have their “lowest activity level” meaning the antiperspirant is “better absorbed” and “more effective”. Other potential aids to reduce sweating include botox and iontophoresis – where a weak electric current is passed through water onto the skin.
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According to the NHS, excessive sweating can occur for “no obvious reason”. That is to say, it’s not always caused because of another condition. However, hyperhidrosis can also be caused by other, more serious, illnesses such as diabetes, infections, cancer, thyroid problems and nervous system disorders.
The medical body advises wearing loose-fitting clothes to hide sweat stains, changing your socks at least twice a day, and wearing leather shoes. It also advises avoiding tight clothes or synthetic fabrics, enclosed boots, and sports shoes, and refraining from engaging in activities that might worsen your sweating – such as eating spicy food or drinking alcohol. However, you should see a GP if you’re excessively sweating and:
- It’s lasted for at least six months
- It prevents you from getting on with your day-to-day activities
- It happens frequently (at least once a week)
- You have a family history of sweating excessively
- You’re on medication for another condition
- Treatments you can try yourself have not helped
You can get support and learn more about hyperhidrosis here.
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