Hyperhidrosis is the medical term for excessive sweating. Even though it may be an embarrassing issue, heavy sweating affects an estimated 7% of Americans according to Mayo Clinic research. Hyperhidrosis may affect certain areas of the body (i.e., underams, feet, hands, etc.) and even though it’s not detrimental to health persay, excessive sweating is often indicative of other health problems, for instance:

• Thyroid issues (hyperthyroidism)
• Anxiety disorder
• Gout
• Menopause or perimenopause
• Presence of a tumor
• Diabetes
• Mercury poisoning

Luckily, you can reduce hyperhidrosis with a few of the following products:

1.  Footwear deodorizers
These charcoal-infused feet inserts literally absorb excess moisture and eliminate foot odors from the stinkiest of shoes…yes, even athletic shoes like well-used sneakers. Activated charcoal eliminates the nastiest smells from shoes (I’m looking at you, Uggs); these inserts can also be slipped into a hockey or gym bag, closet, into boots, and other tight spaces to soak up moisture at the source without the use of harmful or toxic chemicals.

2. Sweat pads and liners
If you suffer from hyperhidrosis you likely have to bring an extra shirt with you wherever you go. But not only that, your clothes usually end up not lasting very long. If your wardrobe is ruined by sweat stains the good news is that protection can be found in sweat liners and pads. These  sweat-absorbing products create a protective cotton barrier between your sweaty parts and your clothing and shoes, absorbing perspiring and preventing odors at the same time.

3. Foot spray
Armed with smells like lavender, pine, peppermint, and eucalyptus, foot sprays are a popular product to spritz onto the footbed of stinky shoes in order to naturally eliminate odor while cooling down the tootsies. I recommend opting for a natural shoe deodorizer infused with essential oils that banish odor while reducing foot swelling, fatigue, and eliminating any traces of fungi and bacteria (i.e., athletes foot) Pro tip: keep your foot spray in the fridge for a real cool down come summer.

4. Clinical strength deodorants
Deodorant aims to neutralize and eliminate body odor. Yet, if you suffer with excessive sweating of a store-bought brand won’t provide enough protection. Instead, consult with your doctor about using a clinical strength deodorant, which contains fragrance and often antibacterial ingredients mean to destroy bacteria that feed and multiple when you sweat. This is what produces body odor.

5. Prescription antiperspirants
Unlike deodorant, antiperspirant works not only to block body odor, but also to also impede sweat glands from producing sweat, usually thanks to an aluminum salt based compound that plug the sweat glands. This gel plug is shed from the cells in the armpit later during the natural skin shedding process. So unlike with clinical strength deodorants, antiperspirants will actually keep you dryer. If you suffer from hyperhidrosis, talk to your doctor about prescribing a clinical strength antiperspirant or antiperspirant-deodorant combination.