Hyperhidrosis

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Hyperhidrosis is excess sweating. While sweating is a normal human bodily function, some people naturally sweat more or less than others. Some individuals sweat in excess causing problems with school, work and social situations. Hyperhidrosis affects both males and females and can start at any age. It is often a severe and emotionally distressing problem for people with the condition. Effective treatments are now available to help those with hyperhidrosis.

Before botulinum toxin injections became available for this condition, the list of available treatments was fairly short. Over-the-counter antiperspirants, pre scri ption antiperspirants like Drysol (20% aluminum chloride), iontophoresis, pills like Robinul, and surgery are additional treatments options. Pills (like Robinul) may be reserved for special occasions like school dances, job interviews, weddings, proms, anniversaries, first dates, and other really important events. There are no currently available pills to take daily and there are always potential side effects associated with pills.
 
Surgical sympathectomy is the specialized, permanent nerve cutting or destruction surgery performed to help decrease some types of sweating. It does not work for all types of excess sweating or for all areas of the body. Consultation with a specialized thoracic surgeon is required and overall, surgery is usually reserved for severe or resistant cases because of potential serious side effects.
 
Different types of physicians including dermatologists, family physicians, neurologists, internal medicine doctors, and thoracic surgeons may treat hyperhidrosis. You can check the physician finder section on www.sweating.org for a list of participating specialists.
 
The International Hyperhidrosis Society or IHHS is the specialty foundation which provides in- depth information for the treatment of excess sweating. IHHS can be contacted at www.sweatsolutions.org.
 
If sweating causes disruptions in your normal life and causes you distress or embarrassment, you should see your physician. Your doctor will want to know how much you sweat and how it affects your daily activities.
 
"What special anti-sweating pearls do you give patients?"
Try Certain-Dri or Drysol first if your sweating isn’t better with regular over the counter products.
Robinul pills are a good option only for very special occasions like prom, job interviews, and weddings. Try a test run with the pill before your big event to check for possible side effects.
Remember botulinum toxin (Botox or Myobloc) may take 1-2 weeks before you see any results
Surgery with a specialized thoracic surgeon may be a last resort because of potential serious risks.
 
Some of the Doctor’s Favorite anti-perspirant picks:
Certain Dri anti-perspirant pads
Xerac AC solution
Drysol 20% solution (pre scri ption)

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