Even me Mr. TALLspeaking must admit when I give a presentation and I take off my jacket I do it in the privacy of my own office. I am coming out of the closet – I sweat big time! I have learned to control my nerves in public but my shirt takes the punishment.
I have listed some key tips (below) to help my fellow sweating friends. What do I do to control this situation, first always have a change of clothing in your car or office and utilize the amazing drying power of a hairdryer. How do you deal with nerves and sweating?
Avoid Spicy Foods and Caffeine
A strong coffee or a burrito doused in hot sauce might make your taste buds happy—but they could also stimulate your sweat glands in a not-so-comfortable way.
“Caffeine and spices can activate neurotransmitters, called acetylcholine, which are located in your brain,” says Kelley Redbord, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist in private practice in Vienna, VA and Associate Professor, George Washington University, “Anything that stimulates these neurotransmitters can sometimes affect the glands that cause sweating.
Go for Prescription-Level Help
Besides hot outdoor temperatures or a killer workout, emotions (such as feeling stressed during a job interview) can also make you sweat. “Anything you can do to decrease your anxiety, such as deep breathing or other relaxation techniques, will decrease the potential stimulation of neurotransmitters that can then stimulate your sweat glands,” says Dr. Redbord. “If you often sweat a lot when you’re in a stressful situation, such as with public speaking, you can consider seeing a doctor (find one near you at sweathelp.org ) who may decide to prescribe oral medications that can help decrease your sweating in these types of situations, or suggest other treatment options.”
Think Outside the Pits
The average person has two to four million sweat glands working as the body’s coolant system to protect it from overheating. “Your hands, feet, face, back, chest, and even groin have high concentrations of sweat glands,” says Dr. Glaser. Gliding or spraying antiperspirants on these areas can help keep you dry, but skip sensitive areas such as your face or private parts.