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Hyperhidrosis Treatment the Answer to Excessive Sweating

Hyperhidrosis treatment involves a set of measures on how to stop sweating in the palms, foot, axilla and face. 1.3 million Americans suffer from it, and approximately 3% of Asians are also affected. Hyperhidrosis is a condition that does not generally imply a severe underlying disease condition, but its impact is seen greater in the social lives of people.

What is Hyperhidrosis?

Hyperhidrosis treatment or treatment of any disease begins with knowing what the disease is. Hyperhidrosis is a condition where there is excessive sweating in all or different areas in the body. It is more specifically classified into two: Primary focal hyperhidrosis and secondary hyperhidrosis. Primary focal hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating with no underlying disease conditions that could possibly cause it. It is called focal because it happens it one area in the body, it could be the palms, the soles of the feet, the axilla or the face. Secondary hyperhidrosis occurs as a result of an underlying disease condition. Here the excessive sweating could be a result of hyperthyroidism, spinal injuries, diabetes mellitus, and the like.

So what if the person has hyperhidrosis? If the person has the primary focal type, physiologically speaking there is not much to worry about. But if the person has the secondary type, then this definitely calls for medical attention. Going back to the primary focal type, as said on a physiologic basis, it doesn’t have a grave impact, but when the social and daily lives are affected it is the opposite. Most people with this condition encounter problems and difficulties emotionally and socially. Individuals view their condition as a limitation or hindrance in fulfilling certain aspects in their social lives: These include socialization, intimate relations, and self-esteem. Other than that, people who suffer from excessive sweating also experience certain limitations in completing tasks and activities of daily living. This is where the importance of hyperhidrosis treatment becomes evident; most people think this condition has no treatment. This is a grave misconception because this condition can be treatable.

Hyperhidrosis Treatment Procedures

Before treatment is employed, the patient must first undergo diagnostic procedures. This is to confirm the type of hyperhidrosis. For primary focal hyperhidrosis, diagnosis doesn’t usually involve extensive laboratory tests. The excessive sweating can be assessed through a simple procedure called minor starch iodine test. This test would show the distribution of the sweat and what areas are they concentrated on.

After confirming for primary focal hyperhidrosis, excessive sweating treatment then follows and these includes the following: Topical antiperspirants, systemic treatment, and non-surgical treatment.

Topical treatment

Treatment to hyperhidrosis would involve the use of antiperspirants that have 20% Aluminum salts (hexahydrease) and 25% Aluminum chloride (xerac). Aluminum salts cause the sweat glands to be obstructed, leading to anhydrosis or the absence of sweat. Using this long term would cause the sweat glands to degenerate thereby halting the production of excessive sweat. After application, it should be washed off after 6-8 hours. Reapplication of the topical antiperspirant must be done every 24-48 hours. Patients who use this product may experience skin irritation. This is a side effect of the topical agent and this can be managed by applying the topical antiperspirant on the affected area.

Systemic treatment

Systemic treatment usually involves the administration of anticholinergics. These agents decrease the sweating activity by inhibiting the nerve impulses that stimulate it. Oral anticholinergics include amitriptyline and glycopyrrolate. The administration of oral anticholinergics is facilitated by a physician. It is also important to discuss with your physician the proper dose of the medication and the possible side effects.

Non-surgical treatments

Non-surgical treatments for hyperhidrosis involves Iontophoresis and Botulinum toxin. In iontophoresis, the feet and hands are soaked into water charged with an electrical current. The passing of the electrical current occludes the sweat glands, thereby causing it the area to stop sweating. This therapy is only effective to focal hyperhidrosis of the hands and feet, sweaty armpits might not be covered by this treatment.

Intradermal injection of Botulinum toxin (BTX) is another way to stop the excessive sweating. Commonly called botox, BTX inhibits the nerves mechanism to stimulate the sweat glands to produce sweat. This type of treatment can be done in all parts of the body that are affected. Furthermore the effects of the Botulinum toxin are highly localized, only causing halt in the nerve signals where the BTX is injected.

The solution to the problem of sweating too much is definitely simple, just ask your dermatologist on the different hyperhidrosis treatment.