I Have Hyperhidrosis. What Do I Do?
Dealing with hyperhidrosis can be a real challenge. What are you supposed to do once you’ve been diagnosed with this condition? Here are a few things that you need to know about your hyperhidrosis.
What to Know About Hyperhidrosis
What Is Hyperhidrosis?
Hyperhidrosis is the name for excessive sweating that’s not tied to physical strain or temperature. In some cases, patients may sweat so much that it seeps through clothes or drips off of their body. In addition to interrupting your day-to-day activities, hyperhidrosis causes mental strife in the form of social anxiety or embarrassment in many cases. But what causes hyperhidrosis, and what should you know about how to treat hyperhidrosis?
What Causes Hyperhidrosis?
In some instances, there may be an underlying cause for your excessive sweating. Through lab tests, sweat tests, and assessing your other medical conditions, you and your doctor will likely be able to pinpoint a root cause of your hyperhidrosis. For some patients, hyperhidrosis is a side effect of medications or an underlying medical condition like hyperthyroidism or hypoglycemia. If there is an underlying condition causing your sweating, then treating that condition effectively should help resolve your issue with hyperhidrosis. If this doesn’t completely resolve the issue, can you fix hyperhidrosis? Fortunately, there are a number of effective hyperhidrosis treatments available.
Hyperhidrosis Treatment Options
There are plenty of hyperhidrosis treatments that you can explore with your doctor in order to effectively manage your condition. We’ll review a few of these treatment options for you below.
Prescription Antiperspirants – One of the most common treatments for hyperhidrosis is a prescription-strength antiperspirant. This product will typically use aluminum chloride as the active ingredient, which will help block sweat glands from functioning. This product must be applied at night and removed in the morning. It’s also not suitable for the face, head, or neck.
Prescription Topical Creams – If your hyperhidrosis is primarily affecting your face and head, then a topical cream may be a better option for you. These creams contain glycopyrrolate to help treat excessive sweating.
Nerve-Blocking Medication – If you’re struggling with a severe case of hyperhidrosis, then oral medications may be used to help block the chemicals that permit certain nerves to communicate. This treatment is effective in reducing sweating for most patients.
Botox Injections – Botox injections might most commonly be known for treating wrinkles, but they can also treat hyperhidrosis by blocking nerve function in the affected area. Results can last up to 12 months, which means you’ll need to see your doctor for repeat injections once every year or so.
MiraDry – MiraDry is a treatment that delivers precisely controlled energy to the affected area. Its purpose is to eliminate sweat gland function in a non-invasive manner so you can live more comfortably. If you’re looking for a non-invasive treatment that’s effective, it could be worth asking your doctor about.
Hyperhidrosis doesn’t need to be a roadblock in your life. With proper knowledge and a great treatment plan, you can live a full life without worrying about your symptoms all the time. If you want to talk about your treatment options, set up a consultation with our team at North Pacific Dermatology today.