Sweating is a natural bodily process that helps us to cool down, especially when we are physically exerting our bodies, but have you ever wondered if you sweat too much? Everyone differs in how much they sweat, but there is actually a medical condition called hyperhidrosis that causes excessive sweating.

How much is excessive?

It may not take much to make certain people sweat, like taking a brisk walk or climbing a flight of stairs, but people with hyperhidrosis sweat even when their bodies do not need to be cooled. Sweating is usually concentrated in the palms, feet, face, and underarms, which can cause not only skin problems like infections and bacterial overgrowth, but also emotional discomfort, anxiety, and embarrassment. If you are faced with daily struggles from excessive sweating, or have other family members who also sweat excessively, chances are you have hyperhidrosis.

Treatments

Treatments depend on the severity and location of sweating

• Antiperspirant – Usually the first option for treatment, antiperspirants act to plug the sweat glands and signal to the body to stop the sweating.
• Botox – This FDA-approved treatment, which helps to block the chemical messenger responsible for sweating, has been shown to decrease underarm sweating by 82-87%.
• Iontophoresis – Iontophoresis is commonly used to treat sweating in the hands and feet by immersing them in water and passing a mild electrical current through them.
• Surgery – Surgery can be performed in the underarm area during which sweat glands are cut, scraped, or suctioned out to prevent perspiration.
• Medications – Oral medications works throughout the body to decrease sweating.

It can be daunting to talk about hyperhidrosis, but treatments exist to help you achieve a more comfortable lifestyle. Talking to an experienced dermatologist is your first step in regaining control of your hyperhidrosis. Consult with Dr. Juan Vaillant of Old Bridge Dermatology, an experienced board-certified dermatologist, to get help with skin, hair, and nail conditions. If you are suffering from conditions like hyperhidrosis, acne, eczema, dandruff, nail fungus, skin cancer, or psoriasis, call our Old Bridge, NJ office at (732) 679-0222 for an appointment today!