Hyperhidrosis Treatment Methods
Hyperhidrosis is a rare, but serious condition in which an individual perspires excessively. It affects two to three percent of Americans, and patients with this condition will sweat at any time, regardless of weather conditions. This condition can be present at birth or be caused by systemic, endocrine, or neurological issues. Symptoms include excessive sweating on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, and armpit. Sweat often soaks through clothing. Treating the underlying condition that causes hyperhidrosis is optimal, but hard to identify at times as most patients who suffer from hyperhidrosis are otherwise healthy. The following are some ways to treat excessive perspiration.
Wear Stronger Antiperspirant
Antiperspirants are usually the first method of treatment in reducing symptoms of hyperhidrosis because they are the least invasive. Antiperspirants, which are applied topically, use aluminum compounds to help stop perspiration. This works because the aluminum seeps into the sweat ducts, combines with sweat creating precipitate salt, and forms a shallow plug to slow sweat flow. There are many different brands of over-the-counter antiperspirants that all contain aluminum compounds in varying amounts, typically between fifteen and twenty-two percent. Individuals who find their antiperspirant ineffective can try wearing a stronger one. When even these antiperspirants are ineffective, a doctor can advise a stronger antiperspirant that can only be purchased with a prescription.
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Avoid Restrictive Clothing
Avoid restrictive clothing whenever possible to help with this condition. Loose-fitting clothing allows more air flow to the skin so an individual with hyperhidrosis, or even without, does not sweat as badly. Any tight article of clothing helps to keep the skin’s heat close, essentially warming an individual up and causing them to sweat. This can exacerbate hyperhidrosis. Clothes that fit tightly like jeans and tight shirts should be avoided, especially in warmer climates. Loose-fitting clothing like dresses, linen pants, and button-down tops offer the most air flow. Finding undergarments with moisture wicking materials is necessary for areas in which wearing restrictive clothing is unavoidable.
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Avoid Clothes Made of Manmade Fibres
Like restrictive clothing, synthetic fibers retain body heat. Thus, patients with hyperhidrosis must avoid clothes made of manmade fibers. Natural fibers like cotton are a good choice because they are more breathable than synthetic fibers like polyester, nylon, acrylic, and polyolefin, which are derived from petroleum-based chemicals. These can be great for items like camping gear or umbrellas since they have water-resistant properties, and because of these properties, they are a bad choice for clothing as they do not allow for air transfer from outside to inside, increasing body heat. When choosing clothing items, it is important to look for items made of one hundred percent cotton, wool, linen, silk, and cashmere.
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Removing Sweat Glands
In extreme cases of hyperhidrosis that are unresponsive to antiperspirants, removing sweat glands can improve symptoms. A doctor can surgically remove sweat glands through a minor procedure where only the axilla area is numbed so the patient remains awake. The doctor can remove the glands in a few different ways. They can be excised, suctioned, or destroyed by lasers, requiring only small incisions in the skin. Similar to any surgical procedure, there is a risk of infection at the incision sites so they must be monitored and cleaned daily. Recovery can be painful without medication and takes about three weeks. Though this surgery often yields positive results, hyperhidrosis has been known to recur after surgery though often not as severe.
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Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy
Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy is a surgery performed by a surgeon in a hospital. Though considered a minimally invasive procedure, this is the most invasive treatment option for hyperhidrosis. The sympathetic nerve in the thoracic region is located through small incisions. It is then cut or destroyed to stop excessive nerve signals involved in perspiration. This surgery has a high success rate in helping patients with hyperhidrosis. There is a small risk of infection at incision sites like with most surgeries, and it can sometimes cause excessive sweating in other areas of the body. This usually happens on the back or chest and is called compensatory hyperhidrosis, but it is often less of an issue for patients than prior hyperhidrosis.