The Multiple Treatment Methods for Excessive Sweating

Sweating during a hot afternoon or after engaging in intense exercise is an everyday occurrence. It is also the body’s natural response to aid cooling. However, some people produce much sweat that is not a result of heat or vigorous workouts. The sweat can be so much that it soaks, wets your clothes, and drips off your palms. Upper East Side hyperhidrosis may be a source of embarrassment, especially in public places, and may get in the way of your normal activities. This condition primarily affects your face, hands, feet, and underarms. Medical intervention is necessary as hyperhidrosis may be a sign of an underlying health problem, including diabetes.

What causes hyperhidrosis?

The causes of hyperhidrosis differ depending on the type of condition you may have.

Primary or focal hyperhidrosis

This type of hyperhidrosis can be inherited and is caused by changes in your genes -mutation. Primary or focal hyperhidrosis occurs when nerves signaling the sweat glands become overactive without triggers like physical activity and high temperatures. This is the most common type of hyperhidrosis and mainly affects your feet, palm, and armpits. Primary hyperhidrosis worsens when one becomes stressed and anxious. It develops earlier in life before the age of 25.

Secondary hyperhidrosis

Patients with secondary hyperhidrosis tend to have underlying medical conditions such as thyroid problems, low blood sugar, infections, heart attack, and nervous system disorders. This type of hyperhidrosis can cause sweating all over the body and may result from certain medications such as zinc supplements and naproxen. Excessive sweating can also result from opioid withdrawal.

Treatment for hyperhidrosis

Treatment for hyperhidrosis depends on your diagnostic results after sweat and lab tests. Samples of urine and blood can be used to establish underlying medical problems such as diabetes. If a health condition is the source of your hyperhidrosis, the doctor will first recommend treatment for that condition. Treatment ranges from medications, surgical and non-surgical procedures, and lifestyle remedies. Most patients try out a combination of treatments to establish which one works best.

Medications

• Prescription antiperspirant. This type of antiperspirant is usually prescribed by a specialist and contains aluminum chloride. Your doctor may recommend that you apply before going to bed only on the affected skin area and wash it off in the morning. In case you experience skin irritation, you may use hydrocortisone cream to reduce the inflammation effects.
• Antidepressants. Certain medications used for depression can reduce excess sweating. Additionally, they are helpful for patients with stress and anxiety, which worsens hyperhidrosis.
• Botulinum toxin injections. This involves using medications such as Botox or Myobloc to block the nerves that cause sweating. Although the treatment can be painful, the effects may last for several months or a year. A common side effect of botox injections is muscle weakness at the treatment site.

Lifestyle changes

• Take a bath every day to control the amount of bacteria on your skin. Ensure you dry your body while paying attention to areas like the toes and underarms.
• Use non-prescription antiperspirants since they temporarily block the sweat pores and may help patients with minor hyperhidrosis.

To learn more about hyperhidrosis and ways to manage the same, consult with your doctor at MDCS Dermatology: Medical Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery.

Sandra Brookover