Difference between revisions of "Prevent Sweat Stains"
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#*If using reusable shields, read the instructions about how to wear the shields. Some have straps that go over your shoulder, some pin to clothing or bra straps, and some are meant to be sewn into clothing. | #*If using reusable shields, read the instructions about how to wear the shields. Some have straps that go over your shoulder, some pin to clothing or bra straps, and some are meant to be sewn into clothing. | ||
#Wash your shirts more frequently. If you wash your shirts daily, before the stain has time to set in, the shirts will not become stained. If you cannot do a full load of laundry, rinsing the shirt and rubbing a dab of detergent or a sodium percarbonate (also known as “oxygen bleach”) on the armpit area may help. | #Wash your shirts more frequently. If you wash your shirts daily, before the stain has time to set in, the shirts will not become stained. If you cannot do a full load of laundry, rinsing the shirt and rubbing a dab of detergent or a sodium percarbonate (also known as “oxygen bleach”) on the armpit area may help. | ||
| − | #Try a sweat resistant material. Traditional cotton weave tends to show sweat stains worse than other materials. Microfiber or “smart weave” materials can help repel sweat stains.<ref>http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-04-03/smartweave-material-fights-sweat-stains</ref> | + | #Try a sweat resistant material. Traditional cotton weave tends to show sweat stains worse than other materials. Microfiber or “smart weave” materials can help repel sweat stains.<ref name="rf1">http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-04-03/smartweave-material-fights-sweat-stains</ref> |
===Stopping Sweat=== | ===Stopping Sweat=== | ||
| − | #Wear antiperspirant. Make sure you are using an antiperspirant, not just a deodorant. Whereas deodorant only eliminates smells, antiperspirant prevents sweat by blocking sweat ducts, usually with aluminum.<ref>http://www.sweathelp.org/en/hyperhidrosis-treatments/antiperspirants/antiperspirant-basics.html</ref> | + | #Wear antiperspirant. Make sure you are using an antiperspirant, not just a deodorant. Whereas deodorant only eliminates smells, antiperspirant prevents sweat by blocking sweat ducts, usually with aluminum.<ref name="rf2">http://www.sweathelp.org/en/hyperhidrosis-treatments/antiperspirants/antiperspirant-basics.html</ref> |
#*Begin with a basic, inexpensive over-the-counter antiperspirant. If that does not help, try a clinical strength antiperspirant, also available OTC. | #*Begin with a basic, inexpensive over-the-counter antiperspirant. If that does not help, try a clinical strength antiperspirant, also available OTC. | ||
#*Apply antiperspirant twice daily: once in the morning and once before bed. | #*Apply antiperspirant twice daily: once in the morning and once before bed. | ||
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#Ask your doctor for a prescription. Consult with your doctor, preferably a dermatologist, for prescriptions to deal with excessive sweating. | #Ask your doctor for a prescription. Consult with your doctor, preferably a dermatologist, for prescriptions to deal with excessive sweating. | ||
#*Prescription antiperspirant has higher levels of active ingredients than OTC antiperspirant. | #*Prescription antiperspirant has higher levels of active ingredients than OTC antiperspirant. | ||
| − | #*Ask about oral medications, known as anticholinergics, that stop sweating. However, know that these stop all sweating, which is not always a good thing (remember, sweating serves a biological purpose by cooling you off).<ref>http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/features/excessive-sweating-sticky-subject?page=2</ref> | + | #*Ask about oral medications, known as anticholinergics, that stop sweating. However, know that these stop all sweating, which is not always a good thing (remember, sweating serves a biological purpose by cooling you off).<ref name="rf3">http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/features/excessive-sweating-sticky-subject?page=2</ref> |
#Consider other medical treatments. If your sweating is extreme, known as hyperhydrosis, you may consider more aggressive medical treatment options. | #Consider other medical treatments. If your sweating is extreme, known as hyperhydrosis, you may consider more aggressive medical treatment options. | ||
| − | #*Botox (OnabotulinumtoxinA) shots in the armpits prevent the body from triggering sweat glands to work and can block excessive sweating for several months at a time.<ref>http://www.sweathelp.org/en/hyperhidrosis-treatments/botox.html</ref> | + | #*Botox (OnabotulinumtoxinA) shots in the armpits prevent the body from triggering sweat glands to work and can block excessive sweating for several months at a time.<ref name="rf4">http://www.sweathelp.org/en/hyperhidrosis-treatments/botox.html</ref> |
| − | #*Ask about miraDry. This is an approach that delivers electromagnetic pulses to the sweat glands to close them permanently. It is usually done with local anesthetic and may cause some pain for a few days.<ref>http://www.sweathelp.org/en/?option=com_content&view=article&id=190&Itemid=491</ref> | + | #*Ask about miraDry. This is an approach that delivers electromagnetic pulses to the sweat glands to close them permanently. It is usually done with local anesthetic and may cause some pain for a few days.<ref name="rf5">http://www.sweathelp.org/en/?option=com_content&view=article&id=190&Itemid=491</ref> |
| − | #*Consider surgical treatment if other options do not work. Surgeons can remove the sweat glands, which permanently stops underarm sweat. This is an outpatient procedure, but any surgery should be taken seriously and all other options should be tried first.<ref | + | #*Consider surgical treatment if other options do not work. Surgeons can remove the sweat glands, which permanently stops underarm sweat. This is an outpatient procedure, but any surgery should be taken seriously and all other options should be tried first.<ref name="rf3" /> |
===Trying Natural Approaches=== | ===Trying Natural Approaches=== | ||
| − | #Stop wearing antiperspirant. Though this seems counterintuitive, there are some studies that suggest that the aluminum in antiperspirants is the true cause of the yellow stains that often appear on clothing.<ref>http://www.artofmanliness.com/2012/04/03/how-to-remove-yellow-armpit-stains/</ref> | + | #Stop wearing antiperspirant. Though this seems counterintuitive, there are some studies that suggest that the aluminum in antiperspirants is the true cause of the yellow stains that often appear on clothing.<ref name="rf6">http://www.artofmanliness.com/2012/04/03/how-to-remove-yellow-armpit-stains/</ref> |
#Wear loose-fitting clothing. Clothing that is pressed directly into the armpits is more likely to cause sweating and encourage staining. Looser clothing will be cooler and less likely to attract stains. | #Wear loose-fitting clothing. Clothing that is pressed directly into the armpits is more likely to cause sweating and encourage staining. Looser clothing will be cooler and less likely to attract stains. | ||
#Lose weight. Obesity often leads to increased sweating. Losing weight will cut down on the amount you sweat. Your clothing may fit more loosely, which can also help cut down on the underarm staining. | #Lose weight. Obesity often leads to increased sweating. Losing weight will cut down on the amount you sweat. Your clothing may fit more loosely, which can also help cut down on the underarm staining. | ||
| − | #Eat sweat-reducing foods. Grapes, wheatgrass juice, tomato juice, sage tea, and raw apple cider vinegar all have properties that may reduce sweating.<ref>http://www.homeremedyshop.com/12-little-known-home-remedies-for-excessive-sweating/</ref> | + | #Eat sweat-reducing foods. Grapes, wheatgrass juice, tomato juice, sage tea, and raw apple cider vinegar all have properties that may reduce sweating.<ref name="rf7">http://www.homeremedyshop.com/12-little-known-home-remedies-for-excessive-sweating/</ref> |
#Use natural deodorants. Using coconut oil, cornstarch, witch hazel, salt, or tea tree oil as ingredients in a homemade natural deodorant can reduce sweating. These ingredients are less likely to stain clothing than aluminum-based antiperspirant. | #Use natural deodorants. Using coconut oil, cornstarch, witch hazel, salt, or tea tree oil as ingredients in a homemade natural deodorant can reduce sweating. These ingredients are less likely to stain clothing than aluminum-based antiperspirant. | ||
