Sweaty Armpit Problems: How to Prevent Stains on Your Clothes

Underarm stains can be embarrassing, but there’s more to a sweaty armpit than meets the eye. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, hyperhidrosis is the medical condition of excessive sweating. A natural function that cools the body, thereby preventing us from overheating, sweating is normal and necessary. A person with hyperhidrosis sweats even when the body does not need to cool down.

The AAD states that people with hyperhidrosis sweat excessively in one or two areas of the body — usually the palms, feet, underarms, and the head — while the rest is dry. The condition can interfere with everyday activities. Sweaty palms may affect one’s grip, sweaty feet can make walking difficult or lead to infections or odor, and sweat from the armpits can soak clothing and create sweat marks that can lead to stains. 

The first step to preventing sweat stains is dealing with excessive sweating. How do you know if you’re sweating too much? Based on the AAD, excessive sweating means visible sweating without any effort, sweating that interferes with daily activities, peeling skin, and skin infections in areas affected by sweating. If you are experiencing these things, visit your doctor or dermatologist to check if you have hyperhidrosis.

There are two types of hyperhidrosis. Primary focal hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating in specific parts of the body without any underlying medical condition. Secondary hyperhidrosis is when excessive sweating is caused by a medical condition or a side effect of medication or a supplement. 

The most common treatment for this condition is the use of antiperspirants. The antiperspirant sits on top of the skin and plugs the sweat glands as you sweat. Rexona Women Natural Brightening Deo Dry Serum in Fresh Sakura is a brightening antiperspirant in a serum formula that doesn’t leave a sticky feeling on the skin and keeps it dry longer. Equipped with MotionSense, this deodorant prevents sweat and odor for up to 48 hours, even for the most active individuals.

For extreme cases, doctors may also recommend prescription medications, botulinum toxin injections, and surgically removing sweat glands. 

Sweat is colorless — so why does it stain your clothes? Yellow stains on clothing happen when sweat reacts with chemicals, which can sometimes be found in your deodorant, the laundry detergent you use, or both. Here are some sweaty underarm hacks you can try to keep sweat from soaking your clothes and staining them.

Navy and black fabrics mask sweat marks well, so do printed tops and colorful patterns. If you can, wear Dri-FIT clothing that wicks sweat from the body and helps it evaporate faster. Wearing tops that don’t stick to your underarms can also help keep you cooler.

Underarm sweat pads work like garment liners that you stick on your clothes to prevent sweat from soaking through and staining them. Sweat pads come in disposable, single-use variants with an adhesive side that you can attach to your clothes to absorb excess sweat. There are also reusable fabric sweat pads that you can fasten under your arms with a band or sew onto your clothes. They can be washed as often as needed. 

Don’t wait too long before washing your sweaty clothes, or the stain will have time to set. Avoid using bleach or heat to dry them since heat can make stains harder to remove. Take special pieces of clothing to a professional to avoid damage.

You don’t need to coat your underarms in antiperspirant — a thin film is all you need. Whether it’s a serum or a roll-on, just a few swipes will do the trick. Applying excessive amounts can leave residue on clothing and make stains even more noticeable and difficult to remove.

Sweaty armpit problems? Follow these hacks and use the right deodorant to control sweat and avoid staining your clothes. Visit your dermatologist if your excessive sweating persists.