Button-down shirts and sweat

[zacharydz]

Hello All!

When I wear cotton t-shirts, I don't have much of a problem with arm-pit sweat, but whenever I wear a collared button-down shirt, I tend to sweat through them like Al Gore (even if it's not that hot out). Because of that, I usually wear a cotton undershirt and the problem is more or less solved. However, since I'll be back in Las Vegas this summer with the 110+ degree days, I think wearing an undershirt will be a death-wish.

Do any of you have any tricks that you use?

[teamacacia]

Zachary,

You may want to look into some of the anti-perspirants that contain aluminum chloride. From what I understand, these are the first-line treatments for people with excessive sweating or hyperhidrosis, though they may cause skin irritation. I have attached a link to a website that gives some information about hyperhidrosis. I'd also recommend seeing a dermatologist if you continue to have trouble. There are other options including injecting Botox in the areas of excessive sweating or even surgery in the most extreme cases...but again, you'd need to consult a dermatologist.
http://www.hyperhidrosis-usa.com/hyperhidrosis.html#

Hope this helps.

[jason123]

Hello Zachary,

Where I come from summer gets up to 45 degrees C and I wear a cotton undershirt throughout the year no matter what.

I've tried all sorts of anti-p's but on their own I find they don't do the job.

You're not alone...

Jason.

[zacharydz]

Ah, bloody...

Oh well, it was worth a shot. haha

[JMT]

I used to have the same problem, I tried every brand of anti-perspriant available. Then one of my friends suggested just using regular deodorant, not anti-perspirant. His rationale was that if the antiperspirant was not working anyway why use it. (he had this same issue) To my amazement it worked. I bought a small travel size deodorant and i did not sweat through. That convinced me. Apparently antiperspirant has the opposite effect on certain people.

Hope This Helps,

[Kyle]

Jim,

I do the same thing (deodorant without antiperspirant). I've also been experimenting with body talc. It has it's place, but I don't believe it will solve anyone's problems for prolonged exposure to hot temperatures.

[letterk]

When I read your title I thought it said "Button-down shirts and sweats". As in sweat pants. Thought it was some new fastion or something.

I'm sorry. I'm no help to your problem.

[TraderJoe]

you'll need this:

http://www.advantagewear.com/cart/s-dis.htm

[javyn]

I say stick with the undershirt with short sleeves. I don't know why but I am always more comfortable, even in hot weather, with an undershirt. You are going to sweat regardless what you do. I'd rather not ruin a nice button down shirt with pit stains :\

When I wear long sleeve shirts I have on a v-neck undershirt, when I'm wearing t-shirts or polos, I have a wifebeater underneath. Spent most my life not wearing any undershirt at all, but once I started wearing them, there was no going back.

Either I don't sweat as much with one on, or it catches the sweat enough to where I don't notice I am sweating as much. Either way, it's good for me.

EDIT: Also, finding a deodorant/antipersp that is good for you is, naturally, important. I tried about all of them at the drug store and settled with Degree. My pits just don't sweat nearly as much with that AP, and as an added bonus, it is the only one that doesn't give me rashes. Even Lady Speedstick irritated my skin.

[PoshRichM]

If you're having issues with deodorants or anti-perspirants causing irritation, or just plain failing to work after prolonged use, try keeping several sticks around and rotating them every week or so. Works for me, and Ron recommended something similar once upon a time...

-Rich

[Kyle]

Another way to battle irritation issues...

Read the back label to determine the "active" ingredient/s and experiment around to see if there is a particular one that you can use without irritation.

This is a very interesting read on antiperspirants. It lists the following as the primary compounds used:

• Aluminum chloride
• Aluminum zirconium tricholorohydrex glycine
• Aluminum chlorohydrate
• Aluminum hydroxybromide

After some educated experimentation, I found that products containing the second ingredient (like Degree) work best with my skin, providing zero irritation.

[SteveL]

If sweating is a problem, you should consider buying undershirts made of a wicking polyester fabric like CoolMax (a Dupont trademark, I think). These fabrics draw moisture away from the skin, unlike cotton which stays wet and soggy. They are most commonly used in undergarments designed for high performance athletic or outdoor activities which would be sold (fairly expensively) through specialist sporting or camping goods stores. I have some nike shirts that are made of it and wear them to sleep at night, as I have a tendancy to sweat at night.