From iontophoresis to herbal remedies: a guide to hyperhidrosis treatments

Do you experience excessive sweating on any part of your body? If so, you may have hyperhidrosis. For some people, the sweating problem is localized to a specific area of ​​the body, such as the hands or armpits. For others, the problem occurs throughout the body. Hyperhidrosis treatments can range from simple home remedies to surgery, depending on the severity of the condition.

Don’t worry: most patients don’t need surgery. It is a last resort for the most extreme cases.

Here is an overview of some of the most common hyperhidrosis treatments.

Antiperspirants

Antiperspirants are usually what most patients start with. There are antiperspirants available for underarms, feet, hands, and even the face. Many regular antiperspirants and deodorants are not strong enough to combat excessive sweating.

You may want to ask your doctor for a prescription strength antiperspirant. You can also try a product that contains a large amount of aluminum chloride. Maxim, Certain Dri, and Drysol are some of the strongest over-the-counter antiperspirants.

Botox injections

The FDA approved BOTOX treatments for hyperhidrosis in 2004. This treatment is available for patients for whom antiperspirants don’t seem to work. Botulinum toxin is a purified protein that can block the release of the chemical that activates the body’s sweat glands. By blocking the chemical “messenger,” this toxin can stop or reduce sweating at the injection site.

iontophoresis

This is a non-invasive method of delivering drugs into the patient’s body. A low level of electrical current is used to repel drug ions across the skin surface and into the tissue. The outer layer of skin is “thickened” to block the flow of sweat to the surface. Needless to say, electric current makes this treatment method out of the question for pregnant women and epileptic patients.

Surgery

This is the most extreme and invasive of hyperhidrosis treatments. There are a few different types of surgical procedures, depending on the part of the body that needs to be treated: feet, face, armpits, or hands. Approximately 80-85% of patients see improvements after surgery. Since it does not have a 100% success rate, many patients do not find the surgery worthwhile.

alternative treatments

There are a number of alternative treatments for hyperhidrosis, including:

• Herbal remedies

• Diet changes

• Weightloss

• Acupuncture

• Aromatherapy

• Hypnotherapy

The ideal way to treat excessive sweating is to treat the root of the problem. For some, hyperhidrosis is caused by another medical condition. Therefore, treating that condition will result in less sweating.

Home remedies

If you want to try some home remedies before going to the doctor, here are some ideas:

• Eat lots of fruits and vegetables every day. If you already do, start eating more. Fruits and vegetables will help flush out toxins in your body, which can result in less sweating.

• Soak the affected area(s) in tea twice a day. The tea is a good astringent that will keep the skin dry. If your hands or feet are sweaty, simply soak them in a bowl of black tea or sage tea for twenty minutes.

• Apple cider vinegar is a good remedy for hyperhidrosis. Drink two or three cups a day. You can add a little honey if you want. You can also rub some ACV on your face if you suffer from facial sweating. Just soak some on a cotton swab and rub it on your face. Wash it with cold water.

Keep in mind that anxiety is one of the biggest contributors to extreme sweating. If you suffer from anxiety, start taking steps to stay calm. If you have to work in a stressful environment, learn breathing exercises. They will help you stay calm in such situations.

Now that you have an idea of ​​what to expect from various hyperhidrosis treatments, you can get the help you need!