Health Tip – Aug. 7 – Excessive Sweating??
Sweating is a necessary part of how the body works: it is a normal reaction to your body needing to cool down after it works hard. However, excessive sweating, or hyperhidrosis, in the underarms, groin, head, face, hands or feet is not normal. While it is harmless, it can be disruptive to daily life. (A less common form of excessive sweating known as secondary general hyperhidrosis is signified by excessive sweating all over the body. This should be addressed by a physician, as it can indicate an underlying health concern or a reaction to medications.)
While there is no cure for excessive sweating, you can help control the symptoms. Try the following:
- Antiperspirants. Ask your doctor about prescription-strength antiperspirants – they come in lotions, sprays and roll-ons, for use on different parts of the body.
- Botox. It is approved to treat excessive sweating in the armpits.
- Medications. Your doctor can recommend some prescription medications for your circumstance.
- Iontophoresis. These low-level electrical impulses can temporarily disable sweat glands.
- Surgery. A more drastic resort, but the removal of sweat glands or the severing of a local nerve that triggers excessive sweating may help.
