Excessive underarm sweating, also known as axillary hyperhidrosis, is characterised by higher than normal levels of body sweat and can have a harmful impact on some people’s quality of life.
Even though it does not usually affect healthy, sweaty armpits can be a source of great embarrassment. Uncontrollable sweating can lead not only to discomfort but also the fear of being ‘found out’. While for some people excessive sweating is just an inconvenience, for others it can have a serious negative effect their social and work lives.
Generalised excessive sweating that is not just localised to the armpits can sometimes be a warning sign of a thyroid problem, diabetes or infection. It is also more common in people who are overweight.