Overactive sweat glands, a medical condition known as hyperhidrosis, can cause embarrassment, ruin your clothes and cause your body to emit an unpleasant smell. Some causes of hyperhidrosis are genetic, while other causes include hormonal changes, heart disease, medications or an overactive thyroid gland. Treatments to block the pores producing the sweat range from over-the-counter topical treatments to outpatient surgery. If you seem to sweat more than normal and for no apparent reason, you sweat more at night, or your excessive sweat accompanies a pounding heart or shortness of breath, talk with a medical professional about your options.
Step 1
Apply over-the-counter antiperspirants with levels of the active ingredient aluminum chloride hexahydrate between 10 percent to 15 percent. Use on clean, dry skin right before bedtime and wash the area thoroughly when you wake. Your doctor can prescribe an antiperspirant with a higher level of aluminum chloride hexahydrate if over-the-counter products fail to block your sweat pores.
Step 2
Rub topical creams prescribed by a health care professional to your affected area if antiperspirants aren't enough to stop your hyperhidrosis. Use an over-the-counter powder that contains the active ingredient diphemanil between skin folds and to your feet.
Step 3
Visit your dermatologist's office to receive iontophoresis treatments to block the production of sweat. Iontophoresis passes mild electrical current through water-soaked pads or shallow water containers while soaking your hands or feet. According to the International Hyperhidrosis Society, it is thought that the treatment thickens the skin, blocking the flow of sweat to the skin's surface. Battery-operated iontophoresis units are available for use at home with a doctor's prescription.
Step 4
Talk to your doctor about treating your hyperhidrosis with prescription oral medications. Oral propantheline, oxybutynin and anticholinergic drugs can stop the sweat glands from producing sweat but can cause unwanted side effects such as blurred vision, dry mouth and constipation.
Step 5
Visit a plastic surgeon or dermatologist to receive botulinum toxin injections to the areas affected by hyperhidrosis. The doctor will inject a series of shots to your hands, feet, armpits and other affected areas to block the nerves that cause you to sweat. Botulinum toxin injections must be repeated about every six months.
Step 6
Treat severe hyperhidrosis with surgical procedures to remove sweat glands or block the nerves that trigger sweat production. Although this stops sweat production, side effects that can occur are excessive skin dryness, skin warmth and worsen sweating in other areas as you age. Talk with your doctor about this option.
References
- Mayo Clinic: Hyperhidrosis: Treatment
- DermNet NZ: Hyperhidrosis
- Drugs.com: Health Tip: Excessive Sweating
- Family Doctor.org; Hyperhidrosis; August 2009
- International Hyperhidrosis Society: Hyperhidrosis Treatments: Iontophoresis
- International Hyperhidrosis Society: Hyperhidrosis Treatments: Botulinum Toxin Injections (Botox)
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