Hot summer days often mean doing everything possible to stay cool. But for many women, rising temperatures also bring a less talked-about issue: excessive sweating beneath the breasts, commonly nicknamed “swoobies.”
Experts say the problem can lead to skin irritation, infections, and ongoing discomfort if it’s not managed properly. Speaking to Tyla, Dr. Mihaela Guylas of SKNCode London explained why the condition is so common and what women can do to prevent it.
“As temperatures rise, one area women often complain about, but rarely talk about openly, is under-breast sweating, often nicknamed ‘swoobies,’” Dr. Mihaela said.
“The under-breast area is what we call an occluded skin fold, a warm environment where skin sits against skin,” she said. “Add heat, sweat, friction and limited airflow, and it becomes the perfect microclimate for moisture build-up.”
According to Dr. Mihaela, the human body contains between two and four million sweat glands.
“Under the breasts, that sweat has nowhere to evaporate easily, which is why irritation can develop so quickly,” she added.
She said several factors can make someone more likely to experience excessive under-breast sweating, including larger breasts, hormonal changes during PMS, pregnancy or menopause, hyperhidrosis (a condition that causes excessive sweating), a higher BMI, synthetic clothing or bras that don’t breathe well, and stress, which can trigger sweating beyond the underarms.
One common misconception, she noted, is that sweat itself causes body odor.
“The smell comes from bacteria breaking it down on the skin,” Dr. Mihaela explained.
When moisture remains trapped beneath the breasts for long periods, it can lead to several skin conditions, including intertrigo – an inflammatory rash caused by friction, heat, and moisture. Other potential issues include fungal infections, heat rashes, and dermatitis.
Sweating tips
While most cases can be treated at home, Dr. Mihaela said women should seek medical advice if it’s severe.
“If sweating is severe enough to affect quality of life, treatments such as Botox can be used beneath the breasts to reduce sweat production,” Dr. Mihaela said. “It’s a treatment many women don’t realise exists, but one we offer regularly in clinic during the summer months, particularly before weddings, holidays and special events.”
She emphasized that prevention is the best approach, recommending breathable clothing, avoiding tight bras, and using cool compresses.
“One underrated tip is using a hairdryer on a cool setting after showering to ensure skin folds are completely dry,” she said.
“Think of the under-breast area like you would the skin on your face – the skin barrier matters,” Dr. Mihaela urged.
The biggest mistake she sees, however, is trying to solve the problem by washing the area too often.
“Sweat doesn’t damage the skin, but repeatedly stripping the area in an attempt to ‘fix’ the problem often does,” Dr. Mihaela concluded.
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