Understanding The Treatment Options For Hyperhidrosis

Hyperhidrosis is a condition that can cause sufferers to feel embarrassed in social settings, as it's characterised by excessive sweating. Sufferers can have a variety of triggers, but will often experience an episode of excessive sweating when they exercise, when they feel anxious or when they spend time in the sun. Hyperhidrosis goes beyond normal levels of sweating, which is natural and required for the body to regulate temperature. It can affect any part of your body, but the parts commonly affected are the face, armpits, palms and soles of the feet.

It's not always possible to determine why someone develops hyperhidrosis, but overactive sweat glands can be hereditary. There are also some medical conditions that can make it more likely you will develop hyperhidrosis, such as having an overactive thyroid, anxiety disorders and cardiovascular disorders. If you're suffering from excessive sweating, there are a number of treatment options to discuss with your doctor. Read on to learn more about the common treatments for hyperhidrosis.

Prescription-Strength Antiperspirant

Your doctor can prescribe a strong antiperspirant that contains aluminium chloride. This ingredient works by blocking your sweat glands and can be applied to almost any part of your body, but you should discuss appropriate use with your doctor. If you try a prescription-strength antiperspirant and don't find it to be as effective as you hoped, go back and ask your doctor about what other types are available.

Iontophoresis

Iontophoresis is a drug-free treatment that uses mild electrical stimulation to treat hyperhidrosis affecting the soles of your feet and palms of your hands. An electrical current is used to temporarily block the signals sent to your sweat glands, meaning these glands are temporarily dormant. This treatment can be useful for those who work with the public and feel uncomfortable shaking hands with others, or for those who spend a lot of time on their feet and experience skin problems due to their feet sweating in their shoes.

Botox

If your armpits sweat excessively and strong antiperspirant hasn't helped, your doctor may refer you for Botox. Having Botox injected into your armpits can stop sweating by paralysing the nerves in that area. Results are instant and can last for several months, but some people report feeling like they have a cold directly after having this treatment, so it's worth discussing potential side effects with your doctor.

Hyperhidrosis can have a significant impact on your quality of life, particularly if the condition causes you to feel self-conscious. If you feel that your sweating is excessive, make an appointment with your doctor to discuss treatment options.

Share