September 23, 2021
Are you having trouble controlling perspiration? Here’s how not to sweat it.
Controlling the odor of sweat and sweat itself is a well-known hygienic rule, therefore deodorants and antiperspirants are very important, but as many people who suffer from excessive sweat secretion know, these seem to be incompetent, as the amount of sweat their body produces exceed the levels, this is a medical problem known as hyperhidrosis, and some may think that the symptoms are only present with physical activity or elevated temperature, and the truth is the opposite, as this condition’s symptoms do not depend on external factors, as the sweating may be so severe it leads to sweaty hands even when resting and severe eczema
While this condition isn’t medically dangerous, but it can cause extreme annoyance for people who suffer from it, fortunately, medical treatments are available to those looking for treatments to relieve and reduce the embarrassment it causes them.
Home Remedies
People who suffer from excessive sweating can follow some tips and home remedies that help them relieve the symptoms of this condition, including the following:
- Use antiperspirants; it differs from deodorants due to their aluminum chloride content; which clogs the sweat glands in the area prone to sweating.
- Wear loose-fitting clothes to reduce skin friction and stimulate perspiration.
- Avoid wearing clothes made of synthetic fibers such as nylon.
- Use sweat pads, these are placed on the inner lining of shirts underneath the armpits allowing it to absorb the excess sweat.
- Avoid wearing shoes made of synthetic materials, shoes made of natural leather are a better alternative.
- Wear socks made of natural materials that absorb sweat.
- Take a shower daily to get rid of sweat-inducing bacteria.
- Ventilate the feet constantly.
Medical Treatments
In some cases, home remedies may not be enough to control this condition, so the doctor may resort to the following treatments:
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Oral medications:
These drugs belong to the family of anticholinergics, as they work to stop the compound responsible for stimulating the sweat glands to produce sweat, and usually give good results when used with antiperspirants, especially in case of general hyperhidrosis, some cases may require the doctor to prescribe antidepressants to control stress and anxiety that trigger sweating.
2. Botox injections (Botulinum toxin):
This method is used in severe cases of excessive sweating, and it involves injecting Botox into the nerves that stimulate the process of sweating, but this type of treatment requires repetitive injections to show good results.
3. Iontophoresis:
This treatment is based on immersing the affected part in water and sending a low-intensity electric current through the water for about 10-20 minutes, which causes a blockage in the sweat glands over time, and one may need several sessions to notice a difference.
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Surgical treatment:
This is an experimental surgery for those who suffer from sweating in the armpits only (one area). It's about sending sweat commands to the sweat glands. One of the options require the surgeon to remove the sweat glands from the armpits, another type of surgery may be an endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy, which is more complex, it is performed by disrupting the work of the nerve responsible for sending sweat commands to the sweat glands.
5. Microwave therapy:
A device is placed on the area where the patient suffers from excessive sweating to deliver heat energy that permanently destroys the sweat glands, and it is usually done for people who suffer from sweating in the armpit area.
Resources:
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Delgado, Amanda. “Hyperhidrosis Disorder (Excessive Sweating).” Healthline, Healthline Media, 13 Apr. 2020.
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“Hyperhidrosis: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment & Lifestyle Changes.” Cleveland Clinic, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17113-hyperhidrosis.
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“Hyperhidrosis.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 18 Aug. 2020, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hyperhidrosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20367152.
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“What Causes Excessive Sweating? Primary and Secondary Hyperhidrosis.” WebMD, WebMD, www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/hyperhidrosis-causes-11.