Effective treatment for excessive sweating of the underarms

Hyperhidrosis is the medical term for excessive sweating when the body doesn’t need cool itself naturally to regulate body temperature.

Sweating is a normal and necessary bodily function. However, people who suffer with hyperhidrosis sweat in a way that’s disproportionate to heat, physical exercise or stressful situations – it can be distressing and interfere with everyday life.

Hyperhidrosis can affect the whole body, but it is very commonly experienced as:

Underarm (axillary) hyperhidrosis
Hands/palms (palmar) hyperhidrosis
Feet (plantar) hyperhidrosis
Groin (inguinal) hyperhidrosis
Buttocks (perianal) hyperhidrosis
Face and scalp (cranial) hyperhidrosis

For people who suffer with excessive sweating of the underarms (known as axillary hyperhidrosis), it can make daily working and social situations embarrassing and uncomfortable.

In June 2026, hyperhidrosis was the medical feature on the Jeremy Vine show on BBC Radio 2, in which Dr Sarah Jarvis gave expert advice on this condition that affects between 1-3% of people.

The good news is that there are several ways to manage the condition including at-home remedies and effective treatment with botox.

Simple diagram of the human body with the underarms highlighted.

Understanding axillary (underarm) hyperhidrosis

There are two types of hyperhidrosis – primary and secondary:

Primary hyperhidrosis occurs when there is no obvious cause or tigger. It is believed that primary hyperhidrosis could be caused by faulty nerve signals that stimulate the sweat glands to become overactive.
Secondary hyperhidrosis is the symptom of another condition or a side-effect of medication. Common causes include menopause, anxiety, diabetes, thyroid issues or infections.

Underarm hyperhidrosis affects both men and women equally but studies have shown that women are more likely to seek help for the condition because of the negative impact of excessive sweating on confidence and self-esteem.

Whilst hyperhidrosis is not a seasonal condition, warmer weather can exacerbate it. Hyperhidrosis can also be triggered by certain foods and drink, as well as coming from the cold into a warm environment.

Managing underarm hyperhidrosis at home

There are a number of at-home management tools that can help to control excessive underarm sweating – sometimes it takes a little trial and error to find out what will work for you.

Helpful techniques include:

Topical treatments

Over-the-counter remedies include prescription-strength antiperspirants specifically formulated for sensitive skin. It is always worth testing a new product on a small area of skin.
Absorbent powders and wipes are available to help reduce moisture and help you to feel fresher throughout the day.

Lifestyle adjustments

You can reduce the effects of underarm hyperhidrosis by wearing loose-fitting clothes made of natural fabrics such as cotton. Keeping your body cool will naturally reduce the overall need to sweat.
It can be helpful to identify any triggers to help manage the condition. For example, caffeine, alcohol, spicey or strong-smelling foods, as well as stress, can all exacerbate hyperhidrosis.

Botox for axillary (underarm) hyperhidrosis

Botox is a well-known and highly effective treatment for the management of hyperhidrosis.

When administered in a grid pattern to the underarm area, botox injections stop the sympathetic nerves releasing the chemical acetylcholine, and stimulating the sweat glands. This significantly reduces the amount of sweat that is produced.

Whilst not a cure, botox for axillary (underarm) hyperhidrosis can achieve a significant reduction in excessive sweating within two weeks following treatment, with results lasting for up to six to seven months.

Maintenance treatments once or twice a year will continue to manage your hyperhidrosis so you feel more comfortable and confident year round.