Excessive sweating
What is it?
Hyperhidrosis is an abnormal amount of sweating, and can affect daily life function. Patients with hyperhidrosis may suffer from excessive sweating of the underarms, hands, feet, or general body, and cannot control or manage when or why they sweat. This might be a result of a condition, medication side effect, or just a genetic predisposition.
| Treatment Option | Key Benefit | Average Number of Treatments | Amount of Downtime | Comfort Measures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Topicals (OTC or prescription aluminum salts, salicylic acid) | Reduces sweating in local area where solution is applied | Daily maintenance, or 3 times/week (Drysol) | Some skin irritation possible with high concentration formulas | none |
| Oral Medications | Helps reduce generalized sweating all over | Daily or as needed for special occasions | Possible side effects of systemic drugs, for example, dry mouth | none |
| Iontophoresis (Home use device using galvanic current) | Non-drug way to help reduce sweating of hands, feet, underarms | 2-3 week, and maintenance as needed | none | None. Some people are non responsive to this therapy. |
| Injections with Botox Therapeutic | Stops sweating in injected areas for 3-9 months | Once every 3-9 months | none | Cold air for underarms, topical anesthesia for hands |