Sweating

[wafflepony]

Sometimes, I will sweat around my armpits when it is cold out. This is not enough to cause dripping sweat, but it is enough to darken the armpit-area of my clothes and feel moist to touch. It started when I was 17, but actually went away for a couple of years and I have noticed it coming back. I would not consider this excessive sweat, just inappropriate sweat.

Using certain-dri has helped, but I would like to try and find a way to deal with this without things like that. I had my thyroid checked two years ago and it was fine. I don't really sweat much elsewhere on my body unless I am working out hard or it is above 80f.

The moistness will happen with or without my armpits covered by clothing. For example, today it is 48f outside, <65f inside and I felt light sweat for no discernible reason. I read the description of Hyperhidrosis but it seems the sweat described in that far exceeds the sweat I am experiencing. Is this normal? Could if be diet related? How?

[vedadhar]

Though Hyperhidrosis seems to have an association with foods directly but still sweating only in single local areas like arm pits or Palms/soles,face ,neck/back,most of them being idiopathic (of no potent cause) which is very common.Every type of food has a different mechanism and its influence on individual body parts either consuming or topical application,depending on composition of organic compounds or metals in them.Since you have read about Hyperhidrosis you might have understood the potential causes that leads to different situations.

Classification of generalized hyperhidrosis is based on amount of sweat/sqcm,drugs,conditions like hormonal imbalance,DM,foods,neuro surgeries etc.Rather than beating the heads out to investigate potential cause,I think it is better to have a discussion with cosmetic surgeon, estimating that you are a healthy person and ideal for your body's condition,keeping everything else under assessment.

Get more questions if you are not satisfied with this explanation.

[vedadhar]

Excessive sweating into armpits may refer to a cosmetic situation known as Hyperhidrosis.Though hyperhidrosis may refer to excessive sweating or perspiration, in a broad sense,but still excessive sweating into arm pits ends up at a cosmetic clinic.

Bad smelling arm pits (may or may not be present), uncomfortableness, lessened social activity , or clothing to mask ,low self esteem can be annoying.It might happen to various reasons psychological,emotional and social perspective, medical conditions or unknown causes.Whatever the reason causing it but still cosmetic surgery has an option.

If you have tried certain medications like Aluminium chloride (antiperspirant) deodrants, Oxybutynin (risk of side effects),other cholenergic drugs then the next option will be meeting a cosmetic surgeon.

Cosmetic surgery has come up with effective ways (though not permanent) like destruction of sweat glands by electrocautery (applying low voltage current to each every sweat gland in relation to hair roots under arm pits),which is a painful procedure,time consuming (contraindicated if other conditions like HTN or scars or keloids).The next option is removal of skin flaps that comprises of sweat glands and fat through ZMV plasty techniques,laser treatment ,iontophoresis,local sympathectomy (nerve blocks),Botulinum toxin A etc.

All of these procedures have their pros and cons but still are effective and permanent in experienced hands.Discuss each and every method employed and decide under guidance.Talk to your cosmetic surgeon who can come up effective way that is most suitable for you when other doors close for you, only after look into your history by double checking.

All the Best!