For people who sweat excessively, summer can be tough.
As the temperature goes up, so does the risk of sweaty palms, wet feet, stained shirts, and shiny faces. But don’t worry—Dr. Scott Walter has some tips to help.
He explains that having too much sweat in your armpits, hands, or feet is a medical condition called hyperhidrosis. About 220 million people worldwide (almost 3% of the population) have this condition, but many don’t talk to their doctors about it because they feel embarrassed.
Symptoms of hyperhidrosis include sweating that you can see, trouble holding a pen or using a keyboard, and skin that stays wet for a long time and may peel after being soft and white.
Dr. Walter recommends five ways to combat excessive sweating:
- Aluminum chloride (20% or more): This is used as an antiperspirant and can be applied to the underarms, hands, or feet to reduce sweating. However, it can be irritating to the skin.
- Medicated wipes: These wipes contain an ingredient called glycopyrrolate that blocks the body’s sweat production when applied locally.
- Oral medications: Some medications like glycopyrrolate and oxybutynin can help reduce sweating by reducing the activity of the nervous system that triggers sweating. However, they can have side effects like dry mouth, headaches, and diarrhea.
- Iontophoresis: This involves using devices that send electrical currents to specific areas of the body, like the feet, hands, or underarms, to reduce sweat gland activity.
- Botox injections: Botox can be injected into areas where you sweat a lot, like the armpits, hands, or feet, to block nerve signals that trigger sweating. This treatment can reduce sweat by 82% to 87% and lasts for three to six months.
Before trying any of these treatments, it’s important to consult your primary care physician.