Do You Sweat Excessively? A Dermatologist Can Help

Embarrassing sweat stains can sneak up on you during warm weather or nervous moments. However, it’s important to notice when your sweating issue is more than just sweaty armpits and clammy hands. Excessive sweating can be a frustrating issue, but it’s often treatable. Here’s what you should know about this perspiration problem.

What Is Excessive Sweating?

Excessive sweating, or hyperhidrosis, is a condition that causes higher-than-normal levels of perspiration. This sweating can occur without a clear cause. So, you might notice that you’re sweating during cool weather or sedentary activities. Hyperhidrosis most often affects the underarms, palms of the hands, soles of the feet, and head.

Individuals who experience excessive sweating may sweat through their clothes or have difficulty gripping objects due to sweat. While hyperhidrosis often occurs during the day, some people will experience excessive sweating at night.

What Causes Excessive Sweating?

Excessive sweating can occur when the nerves that control perspiration become overactive. Since this sweating problem doesn’t have a medical cause, it’s called primary hyperhidrosis. You may be more likely to have primary hyperhidrosis if it runs in your family.

If excessive sweating is caused by a medical condition, it’s called secondary hyperhidrosis. Health conditions like heart disease, hyperthyroidism, and certain cancers can cause excessive sweating. Medications and hormonal changes may also play a role. If medical factors are causing your hyperhidrosis, you should talk to your doctor about managing the condition. Otherwise, a dermatologist may be able to help.

What Treatments Are Available?

Dermatologists offer a number of excessive sweating treatments. Before recommending a specific treatment for you, the doctor will examine the areas of concern to provide a specific diagnosis. Their treatment recommendations will depend on the location and severity of the sweating. Some of the most common treatments for hyperhidrosis include:

• Antiperspirants: Your dermatologist may recommend extra strength antiperspirants to reduce sweating. These are typically available over the counter.
• Medication: Certain oral medications can reduce the function of sweat glands, so you can sweat less.
• Botox Injections: Botox blocks the nerves that trigger excess sweating in the underarms. This treatment can last about four to six months, though results vary.
• Thermal Treatment: Your dermatologist can use a handheld device to apply thermal energy to your sweat glands. This treatment can eliminate sweat glands in as little as one session.
• Surgery: If the above treatments aren’t effective, your dermatologist may recommend surgery. Through a surgical procedure, they would either remove sweat glands or cut the nerve that triggers excess sweating.

Keep in mind that it can take multiple types of treatments to see a reduction in perspiration. Be sure to attend your follow-up appointments, so your dermatologist can track your progress. They will adjust your treatment plan accordingly, so you can find relief from excessive sweating.

If you’re living with hyperhidrosis, you don’t have to accept your sweating problem. The dermatologists at Pacific Dermatology Specialists have a variety of treatments available to address excessive sweating. Providers at our Long Beach, CA location, and several other offices, provide dermatology services for excessive sweating. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.