Do you ever find yourself in a situation in which you simply cannot stop sweating? Has someone ever asked you why you’re seating so much? Perhaps you have a condition known as Hyperhidrosis. You, along with about 3% of the population, have an excessive sweating problem, and it might be affecting your life in any number of embarrassing ways. For instance, did you know that 90% of those suffering from hyperhidrosis say that it affects their emotional state? In a survey, most patients admitted to feeling less confident because of this condition.
If you’ve recently been diagnosed with hyperhidrosis, then you’re probably asking one simple question, “Now what?” Before we talk about treatments for hyperhidrosis, let’s look at what causes excessive sweating in the first place.
Why You Might Have Excessive Sweating
Sweating, in general, can be caused by many different actions, medications, health problems, or normal bodily functions. Exercise can cause you to perspire just like anxiety or emotions resulting from hormones can make you break a sweat. The difference in hyperhidrosis patients comes from the amount perspired. Unfortunately, the science of sweat hasn’t quite determined why some people sweat so much harder than others.
The truth is, there are many different causes of hyperhidrosis, and genetic factors are likely a major part of the problem.
So, what can you do to control excessive sweating?
The Best Treatments for Hyperhidrosis
If your palms are sweaty right before a date or an important meeting you might feel nervous. But when your palms are always sweaty and your armpits are always leaking, you need something more than common deodorant. Luckily, there are a few different approaches to managing hyperhidrosis:
- Prescription Antiperspirant
- Anticholinergics
- Iontophoresis
Prescription Antiperspirants are more powerful than over the counter alternatives and can be quite effective at treating underarm sweating. The drawback is that this doesn’t exactly stop you from sweating everywhere, and it might not consistently work in high-pressure situations.
Anticholinergics, on the other hand, actually work by suppressing your sweat response. They are very effective, however, they might cause you to overheat, as sweating is our body’s natural way to keep cool. Drinking alcohol while using this treatment can be dangerous as well.
Iontophoresis is an interesting and revolutionary treatment for hyperhidrosis. You simply sit with your hands and feet in water that is connected to a weak electrical current. This treatment takes about 30 minutes, and you will need to do it a couple times a week at first, but afterward, the frequency decreases. This treatment works by disrupting the bodily function that causes you to sweat in the first place.
Whatever the cause of your excessive sweating, there are treatment options to consider. Remember: if you’re suffering from hyperhidrosis, you are not alone!
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