sweating like a pig

[pseudo]

I've had to change my name for this. I am having a huge problem with sweating. Not to put too fine a point on it, no matter what I do, I always stink!

I have tried every anti-perspirant/deodorant known to man. Each of them SEEMS to work for the first week or so, then no longer does the trick. I've tried the expensive "problem' brands like Mitchums, "natural" ones made from essential oils, & even the really expensive creams that you use at night. I've tried sprays, sticks, roll-ons.

I only wear cotton T-shirts; clean one every day & the washing gets done quite quickly- biological washing powder- dirty shirts don't hang around. I wash well every day. I try to keep my underarms hair-free.

Nothing works. Every day I end up smelly. Worse still, most of my shirts get horribly stained under the arms within a few weeks of starting to wear them. Even when they look clean & smell clean, once I've had them on for an hour or so they start to smell.

Can anyone tell me where I'm going wrong & how to solve this problem. It's really getting me down.

[codswallop]

doctor?

[M2T]

If you don't mind me asking, how old are you? I mean what age bracket 20s 30s 40s 50s etc? Could it be a hormone change due to the menapause?

[serafina]

My DH has this problem - he doesn't smell but he is very conscious of wet underarms in his shirts.

I saw a programme a while ago where a woman had botox injected to her arm pits and it solved the problem. Unfortunately she had to pay for the privelege and it would need 'topping up' every 6 months or so.

Definitely worth seeing your GP though in case it is symptomatic of something else.

[mmm]

Me too, pseudo. It's very embarrassing and I have to choose the clothes I wear very carefully. I do the cotton thing too (I'm sure you've noticed that even the 1% elasticine) is too much for our sensitive armpits! Mine is not quite as bad as yours I think the way you describe it and I notice my sweat smells worse if I'm frightened or stressed. I saw that botox thing under the arms too and the woman was thrilled with the results. I've had this problem for years and years and doctors don't think it's serious enough to do anything about. Have you noticed whether your diet affects your smell? I think you're brave for posting such an embarrassing problem so frankly even if you did have to change your name!

[windmill]

Don't forget that sweat doesn't smell, its only when it combines with bacteria that a smell occurs. I've never had this problem but giving a massage can really make you sweat. When I started my massage training my tutor suggested that we all use a natural crystal deodorant, such as pitrok. This can even be used on your feet and one student had been worried about doing a reflexology course because her feet sweated so much and got so smelly. Once she got pitrok, she enrolled on the reflexology course so it must be good stuff

[whellid]

You can get a deoderant at the chemist that you apply at night that is meant to cut down / stop excess sweating. I can't remember what its called, but my sister has used it. I think some people find that it stings slightly, but I don't know if that is a day or so after they've shaved or not. Might be worth while asking the chemist.

[whellid]

The product I was thinking of was called Driclor - found this info about it -

What is Driclor?
Driclor contains 20% w/w aluminium chloride hexahydrate PH. Eur. (185mg/ml) as the active ingredient. It also contains the inactive ingredients ethyl alcohol and purified water. It is a clear liquid and comes in a 60ml bottle.

Driclor is a strong antiperspirant used for treating excessive hyperhydrosis (perspiration/sweating).

Why Driclor?
Everyone persipires to some extent, especially when it is hot, but some people perspire and become wet and sticky even under normal conditions. Embarrassment, stress and tension can make things worse.

[Scatterbrain]

I've found Perspirex very effective - from Boots - about £7 for a tiny roll-on - you put it on at night - twice a week - let it dry before you put your PJs on and then shower off in the morning. Don't use on freshly shaved armpits though - it's HELL !!

[pseudo]

Thanks for all your advice- and sympathy!

I'm 40, so perhaps it is hormonal, but it was a problem I had in my 20s too.

It takes a week to get an appointment with the Dr then she's very offhand & dismissive, which is why I haven't been.

I will try the other products you've mentioned. Anythings worth a try!