Sweating in my scrubs... yuck

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Alright, my fellow nursing people, I need your expertise. I have a dilemma of sweaty sorts.

I'm a sweaty, sweaty person. Ever since puberty I've been plagued with an excessive sweat problem in the armpit areas that has caused a lot of embarrassment and severely limited my wardrobe options. I like to compare my sweating to that of a large hairy Russian man in Florida during a heat wave. Yep, it's that bad.

For the past few quarters of nursing school I've been suffering in royal blue scrubs that show every water drop with spot light brilliance. Since there's no option for different scrubs, I need some advice on how to curb the sweat mark notability.

Has anyone found a particular type of shirt to wear under their scrubs that's amazing at wicking moisture, without redistributing it onto the scrubs? I've considered Under Armor, but recently heard it's not that great if you're a super sweater. Anyone else have this problem and have any found ingenious ideas?

By the way, I'm not looking for medical advice here. I know I can probably find a pharmaceutical cure for this problem, but since I cannot afford even the cheapest insurance right now... it's not on the table as an option. And yes, I've tried every type of deodorant known to man kind.

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Specializes in L&D.

Have you tried putting baby powder in your armpits and other sweaty areas?

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PACU.

Try the summer weight under armour, it tends to wick moisture.

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Oh yes, I've tried everything and then some. I'm at the point where I'm just living with it and trying to find a way to make it less noticeable.

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Specializes in Gerontology RN-BC and FNP MSN student.

Urbane Scrubs is amazing at wicking sweat....I had to chase down a patient at noonday in August at least a quarter mile and back outside....and didn't even see any sweat stains on my scrubs!!! They are wrinkle free and fourway stretch...they are awesome! My favorite.

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My husband got a moisture wicking shirt from here and he loves it and says it works great.

Dri-FiT-Shirts for Custom | 100% Custom Moisture-Wicking Shirts

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this might sound weird but Ive seen on pinterest where you can put like a small thin pantyliner in the armpit area...haven't tried it myself...but it might work! :)

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this might sound weird but Ive seen on pinterest where you can put like a small thin pantyliner in the armpit area...haven't tried it myself...but it might work! :)

That seems like a good idea but what if it should get wet lose it's stickiness and fall out from your sleeve while reaching over a patient...awkward!

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Specializes in Hospitalist Medicine.
Alright, my fellow nursing people, I need your expertise. I have a dilemma of sweaty sorts.

I'm a sweaty, sweaty person. Ever since puberty I've been plagued with an excessive sweat problem in the armpit areas that has caused a lot of embarrassment and severely limited my wardrobe options. I like to compare my sweating to that of a large hairy Russian man in Florida during a heat wave. Yep, it's that bad.

For the past few quarters of nursing school I've been suffering in royal blue scrubs that show every water drop with spot light brilliance. Since there's no option for different scrubs, I need some advice on how to curb the sweat mark notability.

Has anyone found a particular type of shirt to wear under their scrubs that's amazing at wicking moisture, without redistributing it onto the scrubs? I've considered Under Armor, but recently heard it's not that great if you're a super sweater. Anyone else have this problem and have any found ingenious ideas?

By the way, I'm not looking for medical advice here. I know I can probably find a pharmaceutical cure for this problem, but since I cannot afford even the cheapest insurance right now... it's not on the table as an option. And yes, I've tried every type of deodorant known to man kind.

It's called hyperhidrosis. I used to suffer terribly from this. Try going to your doc to get prescription antiperspirant or oral meds (oxybutinin, Ditropan). Botox is also an option, but it only lasts 3 to 4 months. If that doesn't work, research a surgical procedure called Endothoracic Sympathectomy (ETS). I had it done 13 years ago and it was the only thing that got rid of the excessive sweating.

Hyperhidrosis really hinders your life because it makes you VERY self-conscious. Have you tried Certain-Dri (OTC at the drug store)? Try everything you can before opting for ETS.

P.S. I hope my reply isn't taken as medical advice. I simply wanted to relay my personal experience with this issue. Nothing takes the place of working with your doc!

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You cos get Botox injections in your arm pits! A friend of mine had the same issue got these injections and no more sweaty arm pits! Lasts about 3 months

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Ortho, Subacute, Homecare, LTC.

I had this problem starting in high school and slowing down around age 25. I would literally have sweat stains from my elbows to about 6 or seven inches below my pits. It was awful. My doctor ended up prescribing me drysol. You put it on at night and wash it off in the morning. It stung but it worked. I use dove clinical protection anti-perspirant now. It seems to work better than anything else I've tried. I'm so happy the sweating has subsided, it really was so embarrassing as a teenager!

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That seems like a good idea but what if it should get wet lose it's stickiness and fall out from your sleeve while reaching over a patient...awkward!

haha true!!!

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