Excessive sweating, or hyperhidrosis, is a serious medical condition that affects about 3 percent of the world's population, according to the International Hyperhidrosis Society. Symptoms vary in severity, with some patients sweating as much as five times more than normal. Excessive sweating is disruptive and embarrassing and it increases the risk of fungal and bacterial infections, warts, and heat rash, and can lead to social and psychological isolation, according to the Mayo Clinic. Fortunately, there are a number of treatments that can effectively reduce or stop excess sweat.
Step 1
Bathe daily and dry your body and feet thoroughly to reduce sweating and associated odor. The Mayo Clinic also recommends using over-the-counter foot powders or corn starch to absorb sweat, wearing shoes, socks and clothes of natural materials to let skin breathe. Alternate shoes every day and go barefoot when possible.
Step 2
Use an antiperspirant to stop sweating. Antiperspirants are the first line treatment for excessive sweating under the arms and on the hands, feet and face. They work by plugging the sweat glands to reduce the amount of sweat that is able to reach the skin. Antiperspirants containing aluminum chloride are typically most effective. Merck recommends applying antiperspirants once or twice daily, with the nightly application being most important. Antiperspirants are not the same thing as deodorants, which reduce odor but do not affect the amount of sweating. Antiperspirants are available over-the-counter and by prescription.
Step 3
Try iontophoresis to control sweating of the hands and feet. During iontophoresis, your hands and feet rest in a shallow pan of water for 15 to 30 minutes. A small device conducts an electrical current through the skin's surface to temporarily block the sweat glands and stop excess sweating. The Mayo Clinic states that you can reduce the frequency of iontophoresis once sweating is under control.
Step 4
Speak with your doctor about Botox injections. These injections, which are FDA approved for the treatment of excess sweating, temporarily block the secretion of a chemical in the nervous system responsible for activating the body's sweat glands. The International Hyperhidrosis Society states that more than 80 percent of patients experience significant improvement after Botox injections.
Step 5
Take an oral medication to stop excess sweating if other treatment options have failed. The National Institutes of Health states that anticholinergics, benzodiazepines, and beta-blockers prevent stimulation of the sweat glands and may significantly reduce anxiety-related sweating. Long-term use of these medications is typically not recommended due to a risk of potentially severe side effects.
Step 6
Undergo surgery as a last resort to treat hyperhidrosis. Local surgery can reduce sweating by removing individual sweat glands in the skin. Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS) is typically more effective than local surgery, but the procedure poses a risk of irreversible compensatory sweating, according to the International Hyperhidrosis Society. ETC is most commonly used to treat excessive sweating of the palms and face. The National Institutes of Health states that the procedure is not always an effective treatment for excessive underarm sweating.
Things You'll Need
- Over-the-counter foot powder
- Antiperspirant
