Home remedies for excessive sweating

Sweating cools the body, but excessive sweating can soak clothes, make hands slippery, irritate skin and interfere with work or social activities. It may be focused on the palms, soles, underarms or face, or occur more generally. It can be longstanding or linked with heat, medicines, hormonal changes or another health problem. Learn more about the symptom at [Excessive Sweating](/symptoms/excessive-sweating/).

Keep rooms and clothing cool where possible. Choose loose, breathable fabrics, change damp clothes and socks, and use absorbent shoe inserts if feet sweat. Wash and dry skin carefully, especially in folds, to reduce irritation. An antiperspirant, rather than a deodorant that only masks odour, may help; apply it to completely dry skin and stop if burning or rash develops. Notice whether heat, spicy food, alcohol, caffeine, anxiety or a particular medicine precedes episodes. Drink regularly in hot conditions and take cooling breaks. If self-care is not enough, a clinician can discuss [Iontophoresis](/treatments/laser-and-energy/iontophoresis/), [Botox For Sweating](/treatments/injectables/botulinum-toxin-for-hyperhidrosis/) or other options.

Make an appointment if sweating is new, worsening, present during sleep, affecting daily life or accompanied by weight change, tremor, palpitations, thirst or medication changes. Seek urgent help for heavy sweating with chest pain, fainting, confusion, severe weakness, trouble breathing or signs of heat illness. A clinician may consider causes such as [Hyperthyroidism](/conditions/hyperthyroidism/), [Hypoglycaemia](/conditions/hypoglycaemia/) or [Heat Exhaustion](/conditions/heat-exhaustion/).

When did this begin, and is it localised or widespread? Could a medicine or health condition be contributing? Which antiperspirant is suitable? What treatment fits sweating of my palms, feet or underarms?