Hyperhidrosis (Excessive Sweating Treatment)

Excessive sweating, or hyperhidrosis, can be a frustrating and embarrassing condition. Various treatment options are available to help to reduce excessive sweating, aiming to improve comfort and confidence.

What is hyperhydrosis?

Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition characterised by excessive sweating beyond what is necessary for thermoregulation (regulating body temperature). It can occur in specific areas of the body, such as the palms, soles of the feet, underarms, or it can be generalised, affecting multiple areas simultaneously.

There are two main types of hyperhidrosis:

1. Primary Focal Hyperhidrosis: This type typically begins during adolescence and primarily affects specific areas such as the palms, soles, underarms, and face. It often occurs symmetrically (affecting both sides equally) and can be triggered by emotional stress and anxiety, heat, or other stimuli. The exact cause is not fully understood, but it is thought to involve overactive sweat glands controlled by the sympathetic nervous system.
2. Secondary Hyperhidrosis: This type of hyperhidrosis is less common and is usually caused by an underlying medical condition or medication side effects. Conditions such as menopause, thyroid disorders, diabetes, certain infections, or neurological disorders can lead to secondary hyperhidrosis.

How do you treat hyperhidrosis?

Hyperhidrosis can significantly impact an individual’s quality of life, leading to embarrassment, social withdrawal, and difficulty with daily activities. Treatment options vary depending on the severity and underlying cause of hyperhidrosis and may include topical treatments, oral medications, injections, iontophoresis (a treatment using electrical currents), or in severe cases, surgery to remove or disrupt the nerves that control sweating.