Excessive Sweating: What Can Cause It And Treatment

Hyperhidrosis typically begins in childhood, and excessive sweating does not only arise due to high heat or after physical activity. It can also happen without apparent causes, related to hormonal and emotional alterations, such as fear, stress, or insecurity.

Excessive sweating can be pretty annoying and interfere with the quality of life. Still, it does not usually indicate a severe problem and can often be controlled with deodorants or absorbent pads. However, it is essential to consult a general practitioner or dermatologist to identify the cause and indicate the most appropriate treatment, which can be done using Botox interjections or even surgery.

Main causes

The production of sweat by the body is average, and the body is responsible for balancing body temperature through the release of fluids. However, in some situations, sweat production occurs excessively and without the person being in a moist environment or having practiced physical activity.

The leading causes of excessive sweating are:

• Family history of excessive sweating;
• Stress;
• Anxiety;
• Menopause;
• Pregnancy;
• hyperthyroidism;
• Diabetes;
• Tuberculosis;
• Parkinson’s disease;
• Rheumatoid arthritis;
• Frequent and excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages;
• Cancer, such as lymphoma or leukemia;
• Pheochromocytoma.

In addition to this, some situations can worsen excessive sweating, such as heat, spicy foods, fever, or physical activity.

treatment options

The most indicated doctor to treat excessive sweating would be the general practitioner, dermatologist, or endocrinologist, if the causes were hormonal, indicating the appropriate treatment.

The main treatment options for excessive sweating are:

1. Use of antiperspirant deodorants

Antiperspirant deodorants generally contain aluminum hydroxide, a substance capable of clogging the sweat glands and reducing sweat and are usually indicated in case of excessive underarm sweating.

In addition to that, this type of deodorant has substances that help eliminate the foul smell of underarm sweat.

However, antiperspirant deodorants have a minimal effect, requiring application several times a day. Alum stone is an excellent natural option with this antiperspirant property.

2. Absorbent pads or insoles

Absorbent insoles can be used for excessive sweating on the feet, and absorbent pads are usually indicated for underarms.

These products absorb excessive sweat in these regions and can be used mainly not to stain clothes or shoes.

3. Botox injections

Botox injection can be given by a doctor for excessive sweating in the armpits, palms of the hands, soles of the feet, groin, or scalp, as it works by blocking the production of sweat by the sweat glands.

However, treatment with botulinum toxin has a temporary effect, generally lasting 6 months, and must be performed with a specific frequency, which can be pretty annoying for the person.

4. Iontophoresis

Iontophoresis is carried out with the application of ionizing agents in the skin region with excessive sweat, using an electric current to facilitate the absorption of these substances in the skin. When these ions are absorbed, they gradually decrease perspiration in the area that has excessive sweat.

The doctor must do the treatment 2 to 3 times a week, about 10 to 15 minutes, then the frequency of the sections decreases, biweekly or monthly.

However, iontophoresis is not a definitive treatment, and it needs to be performed regularly to generate the expected results.

5. Medicines

Some medications for excessive sweating can be prescribed by the doctor, such as glycopyrrolate or oxybutynin, which are anticholinergics that reduce sweat production and can be taken daily, according to medical advice.

Antidepressant medications can also be prescribed by the doctor in the most severe cases, helping to reduce the anxiety that can increase sweat production.

Generally, these medications are indicated when other forms of treatment have not effectively reduced sweating.

6. Surgery

Surgery for excessive sweating, called a sympathectomy, is also a good treatment option for excessive sweating.

A doctor performs this surgery, cutting the nerve that stimulates the sweat gland to produce sweat, thus stopping excess moisture.

Although it guarantees good results, it is common for there to be an increase in sweat in other areas of the body that do not show excessive work, being a natural response of the body to maintain the appropriate body temperature.