Q: I’m extremely active — I can run two miles in 13 minutes and do more than 100 push-ups in two minutes. I always sweat a lot during my workouts, but over the past few years I’ve noticed that my armpits perspire profusely throughout the day — even when I’m not hot. And antiperspirants do nothing. What can I do?
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A: Your condition is called focal hyperhidrosis, and it’s a problem lots of guys deal with. The first thing you need to do is see your doctor, who will want to rule out conditions that can cause oversweating, from an overactive thyroid to excessive growth-hormone secretion. If you’re sweating due to one of these issues, the problem will be treated and your sweating should stop. Sometimes sweating is triggered by something as simple as consuming too much caffeine. Your doctor can help you determine if it’s a food or drink you’re ingesting that’s causing the sweating. Other times it’s a mystery. For these cases, ask your physician about treatments that provide relief, such as anti­cholinergic drugs (which prevent sweat-gland stimulation) and Botox (which temporarily blocks the nerves that stimulate sweating).-
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E-mail your questions for Dr. Bob Arnot to dr.bob@mensjournal.com.

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This article originally appeared in the September 2009 issue of Men’s Journal.