Get Control of Your Hyperhidrosis this Fall

Dealing with hyperhidrosis any time of the year can be a struggle, but what about when it starts to cool down in the fall? Here’s some helpful info and a few treatment options to help you manage your excessive sweating as autumn rolls around.

What to Know About Hyperhidrosis

What Causes Excessive Sweating?

When you need to manage hyperhidrosis and excessive sweating, it helps to know what you’re dealing with. What is hyperhidrosis, anyway? Typically, excessive sweating and hyperhidrosis go together. While the terms are used interchangeably in many instances, the truth is that hyperhidrosis is one of the many underlying conditions that cause excessive sweating. Primary hyperhidrosis causes the nerves responsible for triggering your sweat glands to become overactive. As a result, you’ll produce much more sweat than necessary in situations of high stress or high heat. Heat doesn’t necessarily mean weather, either. If you’re dressed too warmly or feverish, it can trigger an episode. It’s also possible for your hyperhidrosis to be localized in one area, such as your underarms or your feet. Conditions like anxiety, stress, depression, hormonal changes in the body, and even hyperthyroidism can all contribute to hyperhidrosis and excessive sweating as well. In order to treat hyperhidrosis and excessive sweating effectively at any time of the year, you need a solid treatment plan. Here are a few options to consider.

How to Treat Excessive Sweating

Prescription Antiperspirant

If you’re struggling to manage your hyperhidrosis, it’s possible that your doctor will prescribe a prescription-strength antiperspirant as part of your treatment. These antiperspirants are typically made with aluminum chloride, which can be effective at preventing sweating. Unfortunately, this ingredient can also be irritating to the skin and eyes. In the majority of cases, there’s minimal irritation. The treatment plan in terms of using a prescription antiperspirant typically involves applying before you go to sleep each night and washing off when you wake up in the morning. If you do experience some skin irritation, a simple over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream can typically help with that. In addition, keep in mind that this treatment is a great option if you’re sweating more than normal but not enough to warrant serious concern in the fall.

Prescription Topical Creams

The concept of this hyperhidrosis treatment is much the same as a prescription antiperspirant. When you’re prescribed a topical cream treatment, you’ll typically apply it to the areas that are sweating the most. The biggest difference between this treatment and prescription antiperspirant is the main active ingredient. Unlike the antiperspirant, the main ingredient in topical creams for hyperhidrosis treatment is glycopyrrolate. These creams are also typically for use on the face and head, where you wouldn’t normally put antiperspirant.

Botox Injections

Botox might seem like an invasive treatment for excessive sweating, but its longevity typically makes the process well worth it. Each affected area of your body will receive multiple injections for this treatment to work properly. Once the injections are complete, this treatment will remain effective for anywhere from six months to an entire year. If you’re not averse to needles and want a hassle-free treatment option that doesn’t require regular intervention on your part, Botox could be a great way to go.

Hyperhidrosis is tough enough to deal with when you’re not heading into the colder seasons. If you want to talk about your treatment options, set up a consultation with our team at North Pacific Dermatology today.