Hyperhidrosis Treatment

1. Hyperhidrosis Treatment Everyone has experienced a bout of inopportune, often excessive sweating. However, for 2-3% of the population, that excessive sweat is a medical condition known as hyperhidrosis. If you suffer from this condition, many treatment options can help eliminate symptoms and improve your quality of life. Home Remedies The first treatment of hyperhidrosis is also the most common. If you experience mild primary symptoms of hyperhidrosis, an over-the-counter antiperspirant may help temporarily block the sweat glands. However, deodorants may not work if your

2. symptoms are more severe, or if you experience excessive sweating on multiple areas of the body. There are other daily things you can do that can help your condition, including bathing daily to decrease the bacteria on your skin or apply astringents containing tannic acid (Zilactin) to your problem areas. If your feet are affected, changing your socks frequently (once or twice a day) while drying your feet out thoroughly, can help. Wear socks and shoes made from natural materials or synthetic wicking fibers specifically designed to keep moisture away. If your daily activities allow, it can also help to go barefoot as frequently as possible! Medications

3. If these methods simply aren’t cutting it, it may be time to discuss further options with your doctor or dermatologist. Prescription antiperspirants (Drysol, containing aluminum chloride are typically the first step. While stronger than anything you can find at the drugstore, they should be applied with care (as they can irritate the skin or eyes). Doctors may recommend prescription creams containing glycopyrrolate if you have excess sweat from the face or head. There are some oral medications (anticholinergic drugs) available, though they typically are not recommended for long term use. Botulinum toxin injections (also known as Botox) are also used in hyperhidrosis treatment. Botox injections work by temporarily blocking the nerves that cause sweating. Each round of treatment lasts anywhere from six to twelve months and each treatment take several injections on the affected area. Surgical/Medical Intervention For the most extreme cases of hyperhidrosis, you may seek medical intervention. One older, yet effective treatment for palmar hyperhidrosis and plantar hyperhidrosis is iontophoresis. It is an outpatient procedure where mild electrical current passes through

4. standing water and into the surface of the skin on the hands or soles of the feet. With iontophoresis, patients undergo a series of 20-40 minute sessions over a period of time to decrease compensatory sweating to the desired level. One newer tool to help combat excessive sweating is the microwave therapy MiraDry. In this method, a small device delivers microwave energy to specific parts of your body, eliminating sweat glands without the need for more invasive procedures. It takes two 20- 30-minute sessions to see results. If you experience symptoms only in your armpits, you may want to research sweat gland removal surgery. This process uses lasers or liposuction to remove sweat glands in that

5. area of your body. In severe cases, endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS) may be recommended. In this procedure, a surgeon cuts the nerves in your armpit or hands that cause sweating. Surgery of any sort should be considered a last resort option only in the most extreme cases as there may be side effects. Always speak to your health care professional to make sure you don’t have issues with drug interactions and as always it is wise to slowly introduce any new medication with caution and should any side effects occur you should immediately cease future doses immediately. There are also many ways in which to seek out a doctor over the phone and save yourself a visit to the office as well as the pharmacy.