There are enough things to stress out about during the work day. The last thing you want on your mind is sweaty armpits. For some people, overactive sweating can be a vicious cycle. Once the sweating begins, one takes notice, and this awareness can induce feelings of stress, inducing even more sweat. If you’re in charge of a meeting or presenting something to your coworkers and bosses, you don’t want perspiration to get in your way. It will only be a distraction to you and your audience. But with two to four million sweat glands ready to fire at will, it might seem like it’s impossible to find out how to stop armpit sweating.
Fortunately, doctors and researchers have been at this problem for a while, and there are now ways to reduce underarm sweat significantly. These men and women know how much of an impact excessive sweating can have on one’s happiness, self-esteem, an career aspirations. In fact, it’s been noted that nearly 20% of those who sweat excessively report their condition having a big influence on their career goals. In other words, people who might otherwise have gone for leadership positions decided to choose something else as a result of their condition. And it’s not just the workplace where people feel their lives impacted by this. Even recreational and social activities can take a hit as a result of excessive sweating. This is why treatment is so important and sought after.
What is Hyperhidrosis?
As you might have guessed, hyperhidrosis is really just a fancy way of saying “excessive sweating.” Well, it’s a bit more involved than that. While most of us sweat excessively in certain scenarios and conditions, those with hyperhidrosis experience excessive sweating in all kinds of circumstances, even when the air is cool and dry and their body is at rest. There are about 8 million Americans currently diagnosed with hyperhidrosis, and on average these people sweat four to five times more than someone without the condition. This sweating can also come at random, making it hard to predict when and where an episode will strike. Therefore it’s needless to say this condition can deal quite a bit of stress to those with it.
Not all cases of hyperhidrosis are alike, either. And while every individual with this condition has their own experience, there are two main kinds of hyperhidrosis: localized and generalized. Understanding which type one has can make it easier to find the best prescription treatment for hyperhidrosis.
Localized Hyperhidrosis
When hyperhidrosis is localized it means the sweating occurs at specific locations of the body. These locations are typically symmetrical. For instance, localized hyperhidrosis might occur in both hands at the same time, both armpits, or both feet. Sweaty hands are one of the most common manifestations of localized hyperhidrosis. Localized hyperhidrosis is sometimes called primary focal hyperhidrosis, meaning no other condition causes the sweating and the sweating is confined to certain locations of the body.
Generalized Hyperhidrosis
Generalized hyperhidrosis, sometimes called secondary generalized hyperhidrosis, on the other hand, refers to sweating that occurs at different parts of the body at different times. It is often asymmetrical. If excessive sweating is caused by another condition it is considered secondary hyperhidrosis. Some illnesses that might causes this are cancer, hyperthyroidism, heart disease and stroke.
Finding the Best Prescription Treatment for Hyperhidrosis
There is more than one way to treat excessive sweating, so the best prescription treatment for hyperhidrosis really depends on the individual’s needs and judgment of their primary care provider. However, some of the most notably effective prescription hyperhidrosis treatments include iontophoresis and botulinum toxin (Botox). The former treatment involves soaking the hands and feet in shallow water for about a half hour several times a week. A low level current of electricity flows through the water and your body. While not even experts fully grasp how and why this treatment works, it has proven to be effective at blocking sweat from reaching the surface of the skin.
Botox, on the other hand, can prevent localized sweat glands from firing. This treatment might require several injections, but it’s also proven to be an effective treatment for hyperhidrosis. If you suffer from hyperhidrosis and want to find the best prescription treatment for hyperhidrosis for your needs, be sure to consult with your doctor first.
