So Long, Sweat! Hyperhidrosis Treatments in Time for Summer

Living with hyperhidrosis can be exhausting. And when it’s hot outside, managing the condition can feel almost impossible. Fortunately, there are reliable treatment methods out there. Here are a few of them.

What Causes Excessive Sweating?

Excessive sweating and hyperhidrosis often go hand in hand. While these terms are often used interchangeably with excessive sweating, the reality is that hyperhidrosis is one of the many potential causes of excessive sweating. Primary hyperhidrosis causes the nerves responsible for triggering your sweat glands to become overactive. As a result, you’ll produce much more sweat than necessary in situations of high stress or high heat. It’s also possible for your hyperhidrosis to be localized in one area, such as your underarms or your feet. Excessive sweating can also be caused by a number of underlying conditions. These include conditions like anxiety, stress, depression, hormonal changes in the body, and even hyperthyroidism. Each of these conditions can contribute to overproduction of sweat in a different way. In order to treat hyperhidrosis and excessive sweating effectively, it’s important to understand whether or not there’s an underlying cause at work. Let’s get into some treatment options.

Prescription Antiperspirant

If your hyperhidrosis is really getting the best of you, your doctor may select a prescription antiperspirant for your treatment. These antiperspirants are typically made with aluminum chloride. And while they’re effective at preventing sweating, they can be irritating to the skin and eyes. In most cases, you’ll apply this product before you go to sleep each night and wash it off when you wake up in the morning. If your skin does get irritated, a simple hydrocortisone cream can help provide some relief. Of course, this treatment won’t stop sweating at its source, but it’s an excellent option if your sweating isn’t severe.

Prescription Topical Creams

As with the prescription antiperspirant, a topical cream is typically applied to the areas that are sweating the most. But unlike the antiperspirant, the main ingredient in these products is glycopyrrolate. These creams are also typically for use on the face and head.

Antidepressants

As we mentioned above, depression and anxiety may be underlying causes for excessive sweating. In most cases, treating the underlying issue will help resolve your excessive sweating. That said, some antidepressant medications do help decrease sweating in addition to treating depression. This may be an option worth considering if you’ve been diagnosed with a depression disorder.

Botox Injections

While this is one of the most invasive treatment options for hyperhidrosis, it’s also effective for a long period of time. Each affected area of your body will require multiple injections. After the Botox has been administered, the effects will last for anywhere from six months to a whole year. If you’re not afraid of a more invasive treatment for your hyperhidrosis, this could be a great option to consider.

If you’re living with hyperhidrosis and you want to find the right treatment program, set up a consultation today. Our team at North Pacific Dermatology would be happy to answer your questions and help you find the relief you need.