Sweat glands located at the base of the armpits cause armpit sweat. Although these glands are located in the middle of the armpit area, it is the area around the armpit that is moist and watery when a person is sweating excessively.

Of course we know that sweating is natural, but excessive sweating can cause embarrassment in the form of sweat stained clothing and strong odors. Although sweating is a natural phenomenon, a person can sweat excessively. This excessive sweat is caused by the overexcitement of sympathetic nerves which are located in areas that produce sweat in large quantities, such as the armpit.

Armpit sweat is normally excreted from the body by two types of glands, the apocrine gland and the eccrine glands. The eccrine gland is what is responsible for the discharge of a thin watery substance and is not accompanied by any other odor forming substances. The apocrine gland excretes the thicker pale liquid and is generally accompanied with a strong pungent odor.

There are a number of medications available for controlling armpit sweat including prescription strength antiperspirants, deodorants and sprays. Other methods of controlling armpit sweat include injections that stop the glands from secreting fluids and surgeries that interrupt the apocrine and eccrine glands from functioning.

Application of medicated talcum powder is also a common remedy for treating this condition, although it tends to only be effective for those who perspire very little. Those who sweat excessively will definitely need a more effective and more potent remedy because talcum powder is not likely to give excessive sweaters great results.