Dear Dish-It,
I have a sweating problem. Even if I keep my arms down for a short while, I sweat A LOT! I can’t even raise my hand in class. I’ve tried scented antiperspirants and perfumes so people won’t know that I stink, but nothing seems to work. Please help!
Sweaty
Dear Sweaty,
You’re not alone in this. A lot of people experience excessive sweating. If you have excessive sweating in specific areas, such as your armpits or palms, you may have something called primary focal hyperhidrosis. About 3% of people have this. In some cases, when the sweating isn’t localized, it can be a sign of a more serious problem, so it’s best if you consult your doctor either way.
Baby Powder
There are a few easy things you can try. The first is using baby powder, or talcum powder. Apply it to your armpits before putting on your antiperspirant or deodorant. That will help to keep your pits dry and stink-free. It would be helpful to keep a travel-sized bottle in your school bag. That way you can reapply it as needed.
Consult Your Doctor
If regular antiperspirants don’t work for you, you can also try the clinical strength over-the-counter kinds. This is where you should begin to consult your doctor. If neither of these things seem to work, there are other options. Talk to your doctor about possible medications. But use this as a last resort as most medications offer unpleasant side effects.
Have Your Say
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