Excessive and unpredictable sweating, also called hyperhidrosis, is usually caused by overactive sweat glands. Primary hyperhidrosis (sweating of the hands, feet and armpits) affects about two to three percent of the population and the cause is usually unknown, according to the National Library of Medicine. If the excessive sweating is caused by an underlying illness, it's called secondary hyperhidrosis. Conditions that can cause excessive sweating include cancer, heart conditions, glucose control disorders, menopause, anxiety disorder, hyperthyroidism, Parkinson's disease, infections and stroke.
Step 1
Change deodorant. Many deodorants only treat body odor, not sweating. Look for an antiperspirant that contains 10 to 15 percent aluminum chloride hexahydrate, which blocks the sweat ducts and reduces sweating. Be aware that antiperspirants can irritate your skin and aluminum chloride can damage clothing.
Step 2
Visit your doctor. If over-the-counter products don't help, your doctor may prescribe an antiperspirant containing a higher amount of aluminum chloride. Usually applied at night, prescription antiperspirants are strong enough to cause swelling and itching in the area where applied.
Step 3
Ask about medication. A class of medications called anticholinergics may stop the glands from producing too much sweat. However, anticholinergics have an impact throughout the body, not just on sweat glands and may cause side effects. Side effects are usually mild, according to the Mayo Clinic, but you may experience dry mouth, blurry vision, urinary retention, dizziness or constipation. More serious symptoms such as rash, hives, and difficulty breathing or swallowing indicate an allergic reaction that requires immediate medical attention.
Step 4
Consider botox treatments. Botox (botulinum toxin) blocks the nerves that trigger sweat glands. Information from the Mayo Clinic states that several treatments may be required to see results, the injections can be painful and the results are effective, but are short-term (lasting about four months).
Step 5
Talk to a dermatologist about iontophoresis. This is a procedure that uses a mild current of electricity to inhibit the sweat gland. It's most effective for hands and feet because it uses water to conduct the electricity, and the extremities can easily be put into water. During the first few weeks, daily treatment is needed; after that maintenance treatments are less frequent.
Step 6
Schedule surgery as a last resort. Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS) is a surgical procedure used primarily when excessive sweating occurs in the palms, but it can also be used to treat facial sweating. A minimally invasive procedure, ETS requires only a few small incisions for a video camera and surgical tools. ETS works by cutting the nerves that tell the glands to produce sweat. The Mayo Clinic notes that this permanently stops sweating on the hands, but you may experience increased sweating in other areas, such as your back or on the back of your legs.
