Hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating that does not always result from heat or exercise. It is an embarrassing problem since you may sweat so much that it drenches your clothes or drips off your hands. Besides being a nuisance, heavy sweating can disrupt your day-to-day activities and cause social anxiety. Treating hyperhidrosis often starts with addressing the underlying condition. If there is no cause, treatment focuses on controlling heavy sweating. Below are different treatments that your dermatologist Smithtown may recommend.
Drugs are often the first treatment dermatologists recommend to treat hyperhidrosis. Examples include:
Prescription antiperspirant
Using an antiperspirant is the easiest way to tackle excessive sweating. Your dermatologist may recommend an antiperspirant with aluminum chloride. You roll the antiperspirant on dry skin before bed and wash the product off when you get up. Once you notice results from using it every day, scale back to using it once or twice a week to maintain the effect. Prescription antiperspirants can cause skin and eye irritation, so you want to discuss ways to reduce the side effects with your healthcare provider.
Prescriptions creams and wipes
Your specialist may prescribe a cream that contains glycopyrrolate to minimize excessive sweating in the face and head. You can use prescription wipes to ease hyperhidrosis that affects your hands, underarms, and feet. Mild skin irritation and dry mouth are potential side effects of these products.
Antidepressants
Certain medications to treat depression symptoms can also minimize sweating and decrease anxiety.
Nerve-blocking medications
Your dermatologist may recommend oral medications; these work by blocking nerves that trigger sweat glands, reducing sweating. However, these pills may cause side effects like blurred vision, dry mouth, and bladder problems.
Botulinum toxin injections
These injections block the nerves that trigger sweat glands. You may need several injections in each affected area of your body.
You may need a few days to notice the results and repeat treatments to retain the effects. Botulinum toxin injections may cause short-term muscle weakness in the treated area.
Lifestyle changes and home remedies
Your specialist may suggest the following to help control sweating and body odor.
Keep your feet dry
If you sweat excessively on your feet, ensure to change socks once or twice a day. Use insoles and foot powder to absorb the sweat if you need to put on closed shoes. It is also important to slip out of your shoes now and then, wear sandals, or go barefoot when possible.
Wear breathable fabrics
Consider natural fabrics such as wool, cotton, and silk because they allow your skin to breathe. Fabrics designed to wick moisture away from your skin are the best option when you are very active.
If lifestyle changes and medications don’t minimize the sweating, your specialist may recommend iontophoresis and microwave therapy. In some cases, surgical procedures such as sweat gland removal and nerve surgery may be an option. However, nerve surgery risks side effects and complications, so it is only considered if you have tried other treatments without good results.
If you soak your clothes in sweat without obvious reasons, visit your specialist at MDCS Dermatology: Medical Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery for hyperhidrosis treatment.