06.Hyperhidrosis
What are your options if you sweat a lot?
Hyperhidrosis is the name for excessive sweating. People with the condition suffer in numerous ways, including having to change clothes several times a day, getting embarrassed when they have to shake hands, being unable to hold a pen properly and having damp, smelly feet. They’re prone to dermatitis, skin rashes where sweat collects in skin folds and fungal infections like tinea. In short, it causes embarrassment and inconvenience.
Hyperhidrosis can also be a symptom of more a serious underlying condition, and if you’re concerned about excessive sweating you should consult your doctor.
The first line of treatment is a roll on antiperspirant with a high level of aluminium chlorohydrate. DRICLOR is recommended – you need to apply it to a cool, clean armpit at night to give it time to work. It may cause irritation, but an over-the-counter steroid cream can help with this.
Botox injections have been successfully used to disable nerves responsible for activating sweat glands in armpits, hands and feet. However, it’s expensive (around $1000 for armpits), it may produce unwanted effects in other muscles (especially when used in the hands), and the desirable effects are only temporary (ranging from three to twelve months).
Surgery to reduce the number of sweat glands in the armpits by liposuction or curettage, remove skin containing sweat glands, or to destroy the nerves responsible (sympathectomy) is considered a last resort.