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Excessive Groin Sweat: Why You Sweat There and How to Treat It
Medically Reviewed by Beth Goldstein, MD.
March 17, 2022

Do you struggle with groin sweat? If you do, it’s unfortunate, but you aren’t alone! Here are the things that can cause groin sweating and what you can do about it.

Possible Causes of Groin Sweat

One of the most common causes of groin sweat is primary focal hyperhidrosis. When a person has this condition it often impacts specific areas - like the groin. According to an article in the British Medical Journal, about 3% of the population is suspected to have hyperhidrosis, but only 9.3% of that population struggles with excessive sweating of the groin.[1] That means that not only is groin sweating hard to deal with, but that it is not particularly well studied.

Compared to other parts of the body impacted by primary focal hyperhidrosis, the groin has received very little attention. This is most likely due to the fact that there are more people with axillary, palmar and plantar hyperhidrosis, but that should not minimize the issue for those who suffer from sweating in the inguinal region[2].

The most common cause of excessive groin sweating is primary focal hyperhidrosis, but groin sweat can also be a symptom of secondary generalized hyperhidrosis, or even compensatory hyperhidrosis. Secondary hyperhidrosis can occur suddenly, and typically causes sweating to occur all over the body, and this can include the groin region. However, sweating is usually not uniformly focused in that one area. So, while secondary hyperhidrosis may cause the groin to sweat more, it would also equally impact other areas of the body.

If you believe your groin sweating is caused by secondary hyperhidrosis then it is important that youmanage your hyperhidrosis with a dermatologist. Secondary hyperhidrosis can be caused by diseases and conditions that may be dangerous if left untreated.[2] Certain common medications can also cause secondary hyperhidrosis to occur.

Compensatory sweating can also could also cause groin sweating to arise. This type of hyperhidrosis is actually a side effect of endoscopic thoracic surgery, which ironically, is used to treat palmar and axillary hyperhidrosis. A large percentage of those who undergo surgery develop this condition and it can often include groin sweat.[2]

Factors that Make Groin Sweat Worse

When groin sweating is caused by primary focal hyperhidrosis there is no exact cause that can be found, but certain factors can make sweating worse. One of the most important factors is stress sweating. Stress will cause even a healthy person to sweat due to natural changes that occur in the autonomic nervous system, but these effects can be exacerbated in those with hyperhidrosis. Stress sweating is often associated with groin sweat, specifically because of the type of sweat glands that are located there. These glands are called apocrine glands and they produce a different type of sweat than eccrine glands.[3]

There are two types of sweat glands: eccrine and apocrine:

Apocrine glands are located within hair follicles and secrete sweat into hair canals. The sweat produced by apocrine glands is thick and yellowish. It often has a displeasing smell because it has a high concentration of proteins and fatty acids, which bacteria from the skin quickly break down into foul smelling acids. These glands are innervated by the same systems that regulate stress. This means they can be activated by emotional responses.[4] This is why groin sweating and stress are so closely related.

Treatments and Products Available to Stop Groin Sweat

One of the simplest means of controlling groin sweat is to keep the area as clean and dry as possible. This can be difficult and time consuming for hyperhidrosis sufferers, but it can prevent skin breakdown and reduce odor.[2] One option that can be used to keep groin skin dry is the use of absorbent underwear. These are available at most large clothing retailers and can give sufferers a sense of security that sweat will not show through clothing and it will keep moisture away from sensitive skin. Using absorbent underwear can also keep the groin area more comfortable and reduce irritation.

Antiperspirants

Antiperspirants can be used to control groin sweat! There are many antiperspirants available on the market. These differ from deodorant in that they contain an active ingredient that can reduce sweat production. Topical aluminum chloride is present in many of the over-the-counter topical treatments for hyperhidrosis, but it can be irritating in such a sensitive area.

A new formulation of 15% aluminum chloride in salicylic acid gel has been found to reduce irritation and was found to provide between good and excellent results in 100% of patients with groin sweating.[5] Look for products specifically made for use in sensitive areas. Many antiperspirants can be used in the treatment of craniofacial hyperhidrosis which also involves areas with sensitive skin. If regular strength antiperspirants are not enough, then try using clinical strength over-the-counter antiperspirants. There are prescription antiperspirants you can get from your doctor, but often a clinical strength over-the-counter antiperspirant is just as good. Talk to your doctor if you are struggling to find an antiperspirant that works for you.[2]

Botox

Botox injections are an option for patients who do not receive enough symptom relief from topical treatments. There have not been many studies done on the efficacy of botox in the treatment of groin sweat, but it is a viable solution. Before botox can be administered, a doctor will perform a starch-iodine test to determine where sweating is the worst. After this, the doctor will mark the areas that need to be treated and begin giving the botox injections. Patients can expect relief from symptoms to last for three to six months before another session is needed. There have been few recorded side effects, but some reports have mentioned temporary edema (swelling) and small hematoma (clotted blood under skin) formation near the injections sites. Botox can provide patients with a relatively reliable and safe method to stop groin sweating without having to worry about daily or weekly treatments.[2]

Oral Medications

Depending on the severity of a patient’s sweating a doctor may choose to put them on an oral medication for hyperhidrosis. The most common medications doctors use are called anticholinergics and they can reduce the amount of secretions the body produces. Glycopyrrolate and oxybutynin are used to treat sweating in most cases. Both are anticholinergics most suited for the treatment of hyperhidrosis. These medications may also be used in conjunction with another localized treatment to keep sweating to a minimum.

Less frequently, doctors may use other types of medications to manage sweating. These medications include beta blockers, clonidine, benzodiazepines, and antidepressants. When excessive sweating is exacerbated by chronic anxiety a doctor will often use an antidepressant to treat the psychological symptoms. Alternatively, benzodiazepines and beta blockers can minimize the physical symptoms of anxiety and stress which also reduces sweat production.[2]

Groin sweat makes life hard, so don’t stop looking for a solution until you find what works! There are many ways to control sweat so that you can feel comfortable in your own skin - never give up on that.

Sources
  1. Benson, R. A., Palin, R., Holt, P. J., & Loftus, I. M. (2013). Diagnosis and management of hyperhidrosis. British Medical Journal (Online), 347. doi:10.1136/bmj.f6800. Retrieved September 5, 2018, from https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/4064/16bd4a9ba1fe433e59c95e0aab9d3dd83cb5.pdf
  2. Pariser, D. M. (2014). Hyperhidrosis (4th ed., Vol. 32). Amsterdam: Elsevier Pub. Co., 2014. Retrieved from https://www.elsevier.com/books/hyperhidrosis-an-issue-of-dermatologic-clinics/pariser/978-0-323-32607-0
  3. Harker, M. (2013). Psychological Sweating: A Systematic Review Focused on Aetiology and Cutaneous Response. . Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 26(2), 92-100. doi:10.1159/000346930. Retrieved September 5, 2018,from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/262042314_Psychological_Sweating_A_Systematic_Review_Focused_on_Aetiology_and_Cutaneous_Response
  4. Huddle, J. R. (2014). Hyperhidrosis: Causes, Treatment Options and Outcomes. New York, NY: Nova Science. Retrieved from https://www.bookdepository.com/Hyperhidrosis-Janine-R-Huddle/9781633215160
  5. Walling, H., & Swick, B. L. (2011). Treatment Options for Hyperhidrosis. American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 12(5), 285-295. Retrieved September 5, 2018, from https://search-proquest-com.proxy187.nclive.org/docview/1467836763?pq-origsite=summon
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Body Areas Affected by Hyperhidrosis

9 Outrageous Things People Try to Avoid Excessive Armpit Sweating

By Daniel McCarthy /

9 Outrageous Things People Try to Avoid Excessive Armpit Sweating


On my first day of work a few years ago, I got dressed to impress and walked the 20 minutes to my new office to meet my new colleagues for the first time. Having just moved to the southern US, I’d been getting used to the unbearable humidity and its effects on my excessive armpit sweating. Luckily (I thought), the sun wasn’t out and the temps dropped below 80, so maybe my sweat glands wouldn’t take center stage! Well...I arrived to meet my colleagues looking like a wet bass in business clothes. Thank goodness I arrived 15 minutes early, which brings me to the first outrageous thing people try to avoid armpit sweating. 

  1. The Hand Dryer 

I anxiously scurried to the nearest bathroom, declothed, and put the hand dryer to good use on my shirt stains and sweat stains. More outrageously, I awkwardly hovered my sweaty extremities (including my sweaty underarms) over the hand dryer. Thankfully, I reapplied my antiperspirant and headed out to meet my colleagues a decently dry man. That was the day I knew I really needed clinical strength antiperspirant for my excessive armpit sweating (and a car). 


  1. Pantyliners


Many with excessive underarm sweating already know that underarm pads are one way to help with sweating armpits. But if you find yourself sans pad and worried about your excessive armpit sweating, you would not be the first person to try pantyliners. That’s right, pantyliners have been used in a pinch to help keep sweat stains at bay. 

  1. Give a shirt

In 2019, a reddit user posted that to combat his excessive armpit sweating, he skipped the typical clothing and made his own shirt. He posted asking others to try out his creation and received over 250 replies! By creating and giving others shirts, this innovative reddit user designed his way into the hearts of many with smelly armpits. 

  1. Get inked

If you’ve been debating whether to get a tasteful tattoo and you have hyperhidrosis, this finding may just help you make your decision. A 2017 study found that getting inked helped reduce sweat [1]! Now, I don’t recommend choosing a tattoo as a means of treatment for excessive armpit sweating (and maybe don’t tattoo your armpit), but the connection is a fun little fact nonetheless. 

  1. Become a naked mole rat

If you can’t pull the trigger on an armpit tattoo, another method some people have tried is hair removal. Yes, like Steve Carrell (who actually has hyperhidrosis himself) in the hit movie 40-year Old Virgin, removing hair can help reduce sweat buildup for you too. Many likely already “naturally” lose hair thanks to some sweat prevention products, but more natural hair removal may just be the trick to solving excessive sweating. 

  1. Armpit art

Even though we know most sweaty armpit causes, like too much caffeine or spicy foods, it’s no fun to cut these out completely. A more outrageous approach to excessive underarm sweating is actually turning sweating armpits into art. Multiple users of the Reddit community r/Hyperhidrosis have created shirts, sweatshirts, and other clothing that includes beautiful tie-dye in the armpits. Creative, fun, and beautiful, and even better when combined with sweat prevention like antiperspirant or carpe underarm. 

  1. Vinegar your armpit

You may already know how to get rid of pit stains with vinegar, but there are other interesting ways it can help with excessive armpit sweating. Splashing vinegar on your sweaty underarms  is one method many recommend. Those that swear by this method also recommend using deodorant or antiperspirant, too. 

While we don’t know how this was discovered, I like to think someone accidentally splashed vinegar on their pits hundreds of years ago and voila! Too bad the first person to splash his pits with vinegar didn’t also have access to the best antiperspirant for his excessive armpit sweating. 

  1. Baking soda your sweaty underarms

If you find deodorant or antiperspirant irritating, one creative way to help alleviate your excessive underarm sweating is baking soda. Many crafty people with hyperhidrosis swear that not only can baking soda help reduce sweat, but it can also help alleviate pesky underarm smell with some of the best sweat prevention. 

  1. Restart the plaid fad

Black t-shirt, black sweatshirt, black button down, black tank top. If this sounds like your closet, you’re clearly an expert on the hyperhidrosis wardrobe. But if you want some variety as you fight excessive armpit sweating, add some plaid, a trick many with hyperhidrosis use that you may not know. Hey, you just may be starting the resurgence of the plaid fad, and at worst, you’ll add some fun, lumberjack variety to your dark closet. 


Sources: 

[1] Luetkemeier, M. J., Hanisko, J. M., & Aho, K. M. (2017). Skin Tattoos Alter Sweat Rate and Na+ Concentration. Medicine and science in sports and exercise, 49(7), 1432–1436. https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0000000000001244
Body Areas Affected by Hyperhidrosis

How to Cure Sweaty Hands Permanently at Home

By Daniel McCarthy /

How to Cure Sweaty Hands Permanently at Home 

Scenario 1: You’re invited into the office, confident you will land the job. You’ve prepared, you’re highly qualified, you have absolutely nothing to worry about. You walk in and confidently reach out to shake the CEOs hand. But then, your confidence turns to dread as the CEO pulls her hand back, wet with your sweat. 

Scenario 2: You’re at home, playing video games with your friends and absolutely dominating. They get so upset, they tell you to take a break to let another friend play. But there’s another problem... nobody wants to use your controller after you finish. Despite your domination, your palmar hyperhidrosis (excessively sweaty hands) has taken center stage. 

Do these scenarios sound familiar? Wondering how to cure sweaty hands permanently? Although you may not have had these exact things happen to you, your sweaty hands likely have caused something similar and you’re looking for a home remedy. To stop sweating these situations, let’s talk about how to cure sweaty hands permanently at home. 

One of the best ways to cure sweaty hands at home is actually not related to the hands at all. Instead, working on reducing anxiety can have immensely positive results on how to cure sweaty hands permanently naturally. There are many root causes of anxiety, and some or many may be related to your hyperhidrosis. Likewise, it is easier said than done to reduce anxiety. But there are also many ways to work on reducing anxiety that are worth a try. One interesting way to reduce anxiety, and in turn, sweaty hands, is to be grateful. Specifically, Petrocchi and Couyoumdjian found that “grateful people experience less anxiety mostly because they are able to encourage and be compassionate and reassuring toward themselves when things go wrong in life” [1]. Other ways include stepping outside for a walk, drinking tea, or even distracting yourself. In general, starting with anxiety reduction not only can help with how to cure sweaty hands, but also your wellbeing in general. 

Another great way to cure sweaty hands at home permanently is to reduce consumption of coffee and alcohol. Now you may be reading this and thinking “Hey, those are all my favorite things! I’m done with this article!”. And while I wholeheartedly agree and enjoy coffee and alcohol myself, consumption in moderation is key, especially with hyperhidrosis. Caffeine, for example, activates part of the brain that is already a main part in causing hyperhidrosis symptoms. Instead of giving it up, try to reduce consumption to under 200 mg or add in decaf to your routine. Alcohol can affect hyperhidrosis in a similar manner, but like coffee, 1-2 glasses of alcohol may be okay. When figuring out how to cure sweaty hands permanently naturally, it is important to find a balance of coffee, alcohol, and managing your hyperhidrosis. And remember to always drink responsibly, in moderation. 

Tackling how to cure sweaty hands permanently, naturally, and at home may require more than behavioral changes we’ve talked about so far. Luckily, there are other great remedies you can try at home! First, finding the right antiperspirant is of paramount importance, especially appropriate antiperspirant for hands. Another possible over the counter option is anti-sweat wipes. If neither of these work for you, another option to cure your sweaty hands permanently is to buy your very own iontophoresis machine for at-home use. This machine delivers mild electrical currents to your hands (or other affected body part) while submerged in water. A combination of these treatments may have your hands feeling less clammy in no time! 

Ultimately, your palmar hyperhidrosis may not be treatable at home and permanently, but these recommendations may help alleviate some of your symptoms. If symptoms persist, consult a medical professional for further assistance with how to cure sweaty hands. 



Sources

Sources

1. Nicola Petrocchi & Alessandro Couyoumdjian (2016) The impact of gratitude on depression and anxiety: the mediating role of criticizing, attacking, and reassuring the self, Self and Identity, 15:2, 191-205, DOI: 10.1080/15298868.2015.1095794
Antiperspirant

8 Random & Interesting Facts about Excessive Armpit Sweating

By Daniel McCarthy /

8 Random & Interesting Facts about Excessive Armpit Sweating

Our worries about shirt stains, sweaty underarms, and smelly armpits may dominate how we think about excessive armpit sweating. Hey, we may even avoid thinking about these all together. But guess what? There are some random and interesting facts that just may change how you think about excessive underarm sweating! Let’s take a look: 

Fact number 1: Sweat by itself ISN’T smelly

Sweat is often associated with smelliness. But by itself, it doesn’t smell AT ALL. The reason sweat can smell (in places like your armpit) isn’t really about sweat. It’s about the sweat glands (and hair)! Apocrine glands are the biggest of sweat-producing glands and are usually located near hair. It’s this combo that leads to smelly armpits.

Fact number 2: Excessive armpit sweating is as old as cavemen

Hang with me here. Excessive underarm sweating is connected to the fight-or-flight response ingrained in even the most ancient of human predecessors. This excessive armpit sweating response has helped humans survive for millenia. And yep, it means our cavemen ancestors likely had sweating armpits, too. Even though they didn’t have to worry about shirt stains like us, we have the benefit of products like carpe underarm and antiperspirant in general to help with our excessive armpit sweating.  

Fact number 3: Famous people worry about excessive armpit sweating too

Michael Gary Scott, fearless and deliciously cringeworthy leader of Dunder Mifflin Scranton on the show The Office, is perfectly played by actor Steve Carell. Carell seemed to play the role with such ease, comfort, and confidence that nobody would ever know he was worried about excessive underarm sweating due to his hyperhidrosis. Co-star Rainn Wilson (Dwight Schrute on the show) even pointed out that the set temperature was a cool 64 degrees to keep Carell’s sweaty underarms from becoming the focus of the scene. 

Even though Carell’s excessive armpit sweating wasn’t part of the show, I like to think Michael’s approach to sweat stains could be summed up by his famous line:  “I knew exactly what to do. But in a much more real sense, I had no idea what to do.” 

Fact number 4: Other celebrities combat hyperhidrosis too

Steve Carell is not the only notable person looking for the best sweat prevention. As a longtime vampire and real-life human with hyperhidrosis, Robert Pattinson is another actor who combats hyperhidrosis (and werewolves) on the regular. 

Like Pattinson and Carell, Halle Berry also has hyperhidrosis. Famously, Berry confidently showed her sweat stains on the Ellen Show back in 2010. So when you’re feeling a little self-conscious about your own excessive underarm sweating, remember you too can confidently move through your day like Berry barring her pits for the world. 

Fact number 5: Ventilation over here please!

If you’re still worried about how to get rid of pit stains, some ventilation could provide a brief respite. Because we sometimes get pesky pit stains, it can feel like our excessive underarm sweating is due to our pits proclivity to produce the most amount of sweat. Yet, this annoying issue is more commonly attributed to a lack of ventilation, although sweaty armpit causes cannot be narrowed to one thing. Still, a little ventilation and clinical strength antiperspirant can go a long way in dealing with pesky pit stains and excessive armpit sweating. 

Fact number 6: An underappreciated aspect of a non-meat diet

Sometimes even the best antiperspirant and deodorant may not feel like enough to help with excessive armpit sweating and underarm smell. That’s okay though because there are other interesting ways to approach this issue. A 2006 study showed that women found mens’ armpit odor “more attractive, more pleasant, and less intense” when these men ate a non-meat diet [1]. If you haven’t already thought about eating less meat, the improved aroma of your pits (and the kitchen) may be another reason to eat a non-meat diet. 

Fact number 7: Fashion matters

Choosing clothes is a fashion statement for many. And while fashion may matter more to some than others, there’s one interesting reason we can all get behind to choose our clothes. Our clothing choices can help deal with excessive underarm sweating. That’s right, there are clothes, materials, styles, and pads that all can help with excessive armpit sweating as well as excessive sweating and shirt stains in general. 

Fact number 8: You aren’t alone

An estimated 2-3% of the US population suffers from axillary hyperhidrosis (excessive underarm sweating). Even though this percentage may seem small, 3% of the US population is right around 10 million people. That’s like all of NYC combating excessive armpit sweating at the same time. It can be easy to feel isolated in dealing with hyperhidrosis, but there’s some comfort in knowing many others are dealing with the same worries. 

Sources

 

  1. Havlicek, J., & Lenochova, P. (2006). The Effect of Meat Consumption on Body Odor Attractiveness. Retrieved from https://academic.oup.com/chemse/article/31/8/747/364338
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