Hyperhidrosis Treatment

Hyperhidrosis is a condition where the body produces an excessive amount of sweat, often unrelated to external factors like temperature or activity levels. Beyond the physical discomfort of constantly damp hands, feet, underarms, or face, hyperhidrosis can make social interactions a source of anxiety. You may find yourself declining handshakes, avoiding light-colored clothing, or withdrawing from activities you previously enjoyed.

Hyperhidrosis is the medical term used to describe the excessive sweating condition that affects millions of Americans. Excess sweating can occur in specific regions (primary focal hyperhidrosis) or throughout the body (secondary generalized hyperhidrosis).

The hands, feet, armpits (axillae), and groin have the highest concentration of sweat glands (eccrine glands). This makes them some of the most common areas with the greatest perspiration. Having an overactive sweat gland in the palms is known as palmar hyperhidrosis and excess sweating in the feet is plantar hyperhidrosis. Excessive underarm sweating is known as axillary hyperhidrosis.

Excess sweat may be a sign of a medical condition, such as hyperthyroidism, diabetes, or heart disease. This is more likely if the increase in sweating occurs later in life. However, many people who experience hyperhidrosis are otherwise healthy.

This common type of hyperhidrosis sweat is referred to as “primary hyperhidrosis.” Primary hyperhidrosis usually arises during adolescence and appears to be an inherited trait. People with hyperhidrosis commonly complain that they get nervous because they sweat, then sweat more because they get nervous. It could become an endless cycle if not treated or managed at least.

The cause of primary hyperhidrosis is unknown, but most patients with this sweating disorder seemed to inherit it from their family members. Some of the most common triggers for this condition are often related to social or physical stress. Anxiety can exacerbate sweating for many people, as can alcohol, caffeine, certain foods, or even certain smells.

On the other hand, secondary hyperhidrosis is often caused by certain medical conditions like skin infection, cancer, or some types of thyroid problems. It usually starts during the patient’s adulthood. Most patients have hyperhidrosis sweat throughout their bodies, but it may also just affect one area.

Some people with hyperhidrosis suffer lifestyle and career challenges. For people with armpit sweating, hiding embarrassing sweat spots under the armpits can limit their arm movements and pose. In some severe cases, some of them might even have skin maceration or body odor because of the bacteria built up in the moist armpit.

It can sometimes be hard to tell if you’re living with hyperhidrosis or if your body is sweating as it should be. If you frequently experience sweating that soaks through clothes or adds unnecessary moisture to your hands, feet, or face, you may have hyperhidrosis.

Unlike typical sweating, this can occur in cool temperatures, while sitting still, or during moments of calm. At Dermatology & Skin Health, our providers can help determine whether your symptoms point to hyperhidrosis and recommend the appropriate treatments.

You don’t have to worry about feeling isolated or wonder if your symptoms are “normal”. Our team understands how living with hyperhidrosis can get in the way of feeling your most confident. That’s why we want to help you feel more comfortable in your own skin with our range of advanced, personalized treatments.

• Topical prescription medications like medical-grade antiperspirants have shown to effectively block sweat glands.
• Oral prescription medications target overactive sweat glands and can help manage symptoms through systemic treatments.
• Botox® injections can help by temporarily blocking nerve signals to sweat glands, reducing excessive sweating in specific areas.
  Botox® treatments are a cosmetic procedure with an out-of-pocket expense.

We take pride in tailoring every treatment to meet your individual needs, ensuring effective and lasting relief from excessive sweating. Our goal at Dermatology & Skin Health is to provide you with expert medical care with a warm and compassionate environment.

This depends on the type of hyperhidrosis treatment you had, but patients who went through ETS surgery are more likely to experience compensatory sweating than others. But like hyperhidrosis itself, compensatory sweating is also a treatable condition so it would be best to talk to your healthcare provider about it.

It’s difficult to prevent focal hyperhidrosis, but it’s possible to prevent most cases of generalized hyperhidrosis. The most important key to doing this is to get an accurate diagnosis and treatment for the underlying medical condition that may cause generalized hyperhidrosis.

Anyone may develop hyperhidrosis, but certain factors put people at higher risk of having this medical condition such as:

• Family history of excessive sweating
• Underlying medical conditions that result in sweating
• Intake of medication or food supplements that trigger sweating

Women who are in menopause may also experience excessive sweating whenever they have hot flashes that usually last for a few minutes. The hormonal imbalance in their bodies may also be another possible reason for hyperhidrosis.

Excessive sweating can be extremely uncomfortable, but there are a few ways to reduce sweating even at home. Here’s how you can manage your hyperhidrosis using natural or over-the-counter remedies:

• Use topical antiperspirant to actively block the sweat glands from producing sweat.
• Wait for your body to dry first after showering before putting clothes on.
• Limit your intake of food that induces sweating, such as processed foods, high-fat foods, spicy dishes, caffeine, liquor, and more.
• Keep your body hydrated by drinking plenty of water everyday.
• Always wear comfortable and loose-fitting clothes.

Although excessive sweating is a common condition, most patients don’t seek the help of healthcare professionals because they’re embarrassed to talk about it. The good news is that this condition is manageable with an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Make sure to call your healthcare provider to consult about hyperhidrosis if you:

• Experience excess sweat for no apparent reason for at least 6 months
• Are hindered by excessive sweating when performing daily activities
• Have a family history of hyperhidrosis
• Also experience weight loss, chest pain, rapid heartbeat, or shortness of breath along with excess sweating

Visiting the website of the International Hyperhidrosis Society also helps some patients understand their condition better if they’re not ready to face a dermatologist yet.

However, consultation with a healthcare provider is still necessary to determine the cause of the sweating disorder and treat it with the right procedures.