Excessive Sweating Treatment

Hyperhidrosis or excessive sweating can be control and cured. Learn more about the treatment, remedies and cures for excessive sweating.

Excessive sweating is a common problem that can affect both men and women. Fortunately, there are several treatment options available to help prevent and stop excessive sweating.

The treatment methods available to combat hyperhidrosis can be classified under invasive or non-invasive.

Non-Invasive Treatments

Antiperspirants

Antiperspirants are aluminum based chemical formulations that control overactive underarm sweat glands. Applying an antiperspirant spreads aluminum particles on the skin. These particles block sweat from surfacing out.

A commonly used moderately effective antiperspirant is Drysol, usually available through prescription. With a composition of 20% aluminum chloride and anhydrous ethyl alcohol, Drysol can be used as a topical solution for axillary hyperhidrosis and help to prevent body odor. Keep in mind that antiperspirants such as Drysol will only work with mild hyperhidrosis.

For maximum benefit, use an antiperspirant on dry skin at night when underarm sweat glands are least active. Wash treated area after six to eight hours. Apply antiperspirants daily until favorable results are noticed. The frequency of use can then be reduced.

Antiperspirant results vary from person to person. Allergies may affect results. Those who do benefit may experience itching. Begin by using small doses of mild antiperspirant and gradually move to stronger products. Hydrocortisone creams prevent skin irritation. Avoid antiperspirants if the skin is injured.

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Oral Medications

Doctors may prescribe oral medication such as Diazepam, Indomethacin and Benztropine to help control hyperhidrosis. These medications are able to block receivers on nerves in the sympathetic nervous system and are referred to as beta-blockers or anticholinergics. Experts are however skeptical about their long term usage because of their numerous side effects including constipation, blurry vision, dryness of the mouth, cardiac problems, and changes in oral activities.

Another downside of oral medications is that their effectiveness may be reduced over time.

Iontophoresis

Iontophoresis involves passing mild electric current through water in which the patient immerses his/her hands or feet. Moistened pads are used to treat axillary hyperhidrosis. Regular 20 to 30 minute treatment sessions three to five times every week are effective. After the treatment ends, maintenance sessions are required. For this purpose, FDA-approved machines can be purchased. Adding hyperhidrosis oral medication increases efficacy.

Self Hypnosis

Self hypnosis is base on the power of suggestion and our human body has the capacity to become conditioned through hypnosis to stop excessive sweating.

Excessive sweating is usually caused by hyperactivity of the sympathetic nervous system, when too many signals are being sent from our sympathetic nervous system to the sweat glands causing unnecessarily high sweat production.

Using self hypnosis, we can calm our own sympathetic nervous system and thus reduce the activity of this part of our nervous system, resulting in reduces sweating.

A number of studies related to hypnotherapy and how it works with perspiration also supported the idea that people suffering from excessive sweating clearly benefit from self hypnosis. They get better, sweat lesser and live a more confident life.

This hypnosis download can help with overcoming excessive sweating

Invasive Treatments For Excessive Sweating

Acupuncture

The Chinese believe that the root cause of excessive sweating is due to an imbalance of the body's vital energy (Qi) and acupuncture can help stop excessive sweating by regulating that imbalance. Coupled with good diet habits, acupuncture can also enhance the patient's overall health.

Acupuncture for hyperhidrosis is an FDA approved technique, with a number of people reporting dramatic improvement in their hyperhidrosis condition after treatment.

Botox ® Treatment For Excessive Sweating

Botox ®, the commercial name for botulinum toxin type A, is extracted from the Clostridium botulinum bacterium. An excellent treatment for hyperhidrosis, this toxic protein blocks neurotransmitters, chemicals that transmit nerve signals.

To control excessive sweating, dermatologists inject Botox into patients' underarms so sweat glands fail to receive signals to exude sweat. This excessive sweating treatment is for those who fail to respond to topical antiperspirants. Keep in mind that the effectiveness of the treatment is only temporary and you will need more injections after four to eight months.

Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy

Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS) the surgical procedure for treating hyperhidrosis is recommended when traditional non invasive treatments fail. This is a minimally invasive surgical procedure which can permanently cure hyperhidrosis. The procedure involves strategic clamping or the removal of a part of the sympathetic nerve along your spine and back to block the chemical transmitter that causes sweating.

As with any surgery, there are risks associated with it and there are some side effects. The main side effect with ETS is that in most patients it leads to compensatory sweating of other parts of the body mainly the back, lower legs and thighs. About 10% patients suffer from excessive compensatory perspiration to the point of getting ETS reversed. Common risks of ETS are bruising, infection, injury to surrounding organs, bleeding and slow recovery.