All About Excessive Sweating & How To Stop Hyperhidrosis Sweats Ruining Your Life

What is hyperhidrosis?

Hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating , is a common disorder which produces a lot of unhappiness.  An estimated 2-3% of Americans suffer from excessive sweat irng of the underarms (axillary hyperhidrosis) or of the palms and soles of the feet (palmoplantar hyperhidrosis).  Underarm problems tend to start in late adolescence, while palm and sole sweating often begins earlier, around the age 13 (on the average).  Untreated, these problems may continue throughout life.

Sweating is embarrassing, it stains clothes, ruins romance,  and complicates business and social interactions.  Severe cases can have serious practical consequences as well, making it hard for people who suffer from it to hold a pen, grip a car steering wheel, or shake hands.

What is the Cause of Hyperhidrosis?

Although neurologic, metabolic, and other systemic diseases can sometimes cause hyperhidrosis, most cases occur in people who are otherwise healthy.  Heat and emotions may trigger hyperhidrosis in some, but many who suffer from hyperhidrosis sweat nearly all of their waking hours, regardless of their mood or the weather.

What is the Treatment for Hyperhydrosis?

Through a systematic evaluation of causes and triggers of hyperhidrosis, followed by a judicious, stepwise approach to treatmenyt, many people with this annoying disorder can sometimes achieve good results and improved quality of life.

The approach to treating excessive sweating generally proceeds as follows:

Over-the-Counter antiperspirants are usually tried first because they are readily available.  Antiperspirants containing aluminum chloride (for example , Certain-Dri) may be more effective when other antiperspirants have failed

Prescription strength antiperspirants, which contain aluminum chloride hexahydrate

Iontophoresis,  a device which passes direct electricity through the skin using tap water

Oral medications. Anticholinergics reduce sweating

Botox (botulinum toxin) recently approved in the U.S. by the FDA for treating excessive axillary (underarm) sweating

Surgery.  A procedure called cervical sympathectomy, considered as a last resort.

 

Aluminium Chloride Hexahydrate and Excessive Sweating

When regular antiperspirants fail to treat excessive sweating, most doctors start by recommending aluminum chloride.  It is applied just before bedtime seven to 10 nights in a row, then roughly once a week thereafter to maintain improvement.  This treatment works reasonably well for many patients whose problem is excessive underarm sweating, but is not satisfactory for most of those with palm and sole sweating.

The main side effect of drysol is irritation, which can sometimes , but not always, be overcome by reducing the frequency of use or applying anti-inflammatory drugs, such as lotions containing a corticosteroid.

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