Request a prescription deodorant for excessive sweating

Medications used to reduce excessive sweating include prescription-strength antiperspirants (aluminum chloride), oral anticholinergics (such as glycopyrrolate or oxybutynin), or topical glycopyrronium wipes, depending on the body area and severity.

There is no single “best” remedy for everyone; first-line treatment is usually clinical-strength antiperspirant, while moderate to severe cases may respond better to iontophoresis, prescription medications.

Propranolol can help reduce sweating when it is triggered by anxiety or stress by blocking the physical effects of adrenaline, such as a fast heart rate, shaking, and excessive sweating, making it particularly useful for situational or performance-related nervousness. While it does not treat the emotional experience of anxiety itself, it calms the body’s fight-or-flight response and is often taken before events like public speaking or interviews. However, propranolol is a prescription medication, is not suitable for all types of excessive sweating such as generalized hyperhidrosis, and should only be used after consulting a healthcare provider due to potential side effects and individual considerations.

Hydrating and cooling foods like water-rich fruits and vegetables help keep the body cool, while bananas support hydration by replenishing potassium lost through sweat. Nutrients that regulate temperature and metabolism—such as magnesium, calcium, and B vitamins found in leafy greens, dairy, lean proteins, and whole grains—can help manage excessive sweating by supporting healthy metabolic function. Additionally, whole grains stabilize blood sugar to prevent sweat spikes, green tea may aid temperature regulation through its antioxidant properties, and whey protein provides amino acids that can help calm the nervous system.

No single vitamin can stop excessive sweating, but deficiencies in certain vitamins and minerals (particularly B vitamins (especially B12), vitamin D, and magnesium) may contribute to hyperhidrosis, meaning supplementation can help if a deficiency is present. B vitamins support stress and hormone regulation, vitamin D deficiency has been linked to excessive sweating (especially of the head), and magnesium plays a key role in temperature and stress control, with low levels potentially creating a cycle of stress and increased sweating. Calcium also supports temperature regulation by working alongside magnesium.

The main cause of hyperhidrosis depends on its type: primary hyperhidrosis, the most common form, is caused by overactive sympathetic nerves (often with a genetic component) that trigger excessive sweating without a clear reason, typically affecting the hands, feet, and underarms and beginning in childhood or adolescence. Secondary hyperhidrosis, which usually appears later in life, is driven by underlying medical conditions such as diabetes, thyroid disorders, infections, hormonal changes, or certain medications, and often causes more generalized, full-body sweating.