Do you sweat too much? Do you sweat even when it’s cold outside or when you are resting? Sweating helps your body regulate temperature by cooling you off when necessary. Sweating in warm temperatures, after exercise or even under emotional stress is normal. However, if you sweat even without the normal triggers, you may have a condition called hyperhidrosis.
Hyperhidrosis occurs when you sweat more than necessary for body temperature regulation. While it can happen anywhere, it typically affects the palms, soles of feet and armpits. In adults, hyperhidrosis can be a sign of another disease process, side effects of medication, or a symptom of a metabolic disorder, some of which include:
Chronic alcoholism
Anxiety disorders
Hodgkin’s disease or other cancers
Metabolic disorders such as diabetes and thyroid disease
Side effects of medication such as certain antidepressants or blood pressure pills
Substance abuse
Heart disease
Lung disease
Menopause
Parkinson’s disease
Spinal cord injury
Stroke
Infections such as tuberculosis
Treatment
Medical treatment can be challenging. For mild hyperhidrosis, topical antiperspirants may do the trick. Antiperspirants work by effectively plugging the sweat ducts. The most common ingredients contain 10 to 15 percent aluminum chloride hexahydrate. A prescription-strength antiperspirant, like Drysol, is 20 percent aluminum chloride hexahydrate and is even more effective. Antiperspirants can cause skin irritation and may stain clothes. Deodorants, by the way, primarily reduce body odor, but do not prevent minor hyperhidrosis.
For moderate to severe hyperhidrosis, it is often necessary to use more than just an antiperspirant. Certain drugs, such as glycopyrrolate (Robinul, Robinul-Forte), propantheline bromide, oxybutynin and benztropine help to prevent the stimulation of sweat glands. Although effective for some patients, there are side effects that often limit their use, including dry mouth and eyes, dizziness, blurry vision, constipation, and problems with urination. Beta-blockers or benzodiazepines may help reduce stress-related sweating.
Another FDA-approved treatment called lontophoresis uses a gentle electrical current to temporarily turn off the sweat gland. Lontophoresis is most effective for sweating of the hands and feet. Side effects include skin cracking and blisters.
Botox injections have also been approved to treat excessive underarm sweating. Small doses of purified Botox are injected into the underarm, temporarily blocking the nerves that stimulate sweating. Side effects are typically mild, but include injection-site pain and possible flu-like symptoms. Research is now underway for the development of a topical Botox cream.
For severe cases of hyperhidrosis, there are more aggressive surgical treatments, including cutting the nerves of the sweat gland. Unfortunately, it seems to work best for sweaty palms and is not effective for armpit sweating. For severe hyperhidrosis in the armpits, liposuction is being used with some effectiveness.
Potential future treatments will most certainly involve the use of lasers. There are studies where lasers were used effectively to treat hyperhidrosis. On the horizon, lasers may develop to be a good alternative to surgery.
Even though more research is needed to provide a wider range of treatments, there are remedies to be explored. Remember, some causes of hyperhidrosis can be serious and may need medical attention. You should always consult a doctor if you have excessive sweating.