Heavy sweating aka hyperhidrosis is a real, embarrassing problem. You may first run from it, but eventually, you are required to take some action. There are a few practical ways to treat underarm sweating. Try these proven household & medical techniques to combat excessive sweating.
Household Underarm Sweating Treatments
While you are looking for antiperspirants and knowing about other treatments, also put to action some household solutions like underarm sweating treatment:
- Dry yourself entirely after the bath, only then apply antiperspirant.
- Use underarm liners and shoe inserts for absorbing sweat.
- Avoid wearing heavy clothes that can trap sweat. Instead, wear breathable fabrics like cotton and silk. Do not forget to bring an extra shirt to work when you know you’ll be going outdoors for a meeting.
- Bathe using antibacterial soap to control the bacteria that can cause odour.
- Avoid spicy foods and alcohol as both can make you sweat. Even avoid hot drinks like tea and coffee.
Medical Underarm Sweating Treatments
Anticholinergic drugs: When antiperspirants and treatments such as iontophoresis and Botox do not work, your doctor might recommend you prescription medicine like anticholinergic drugs. The drugs are taken orally, and they stop the activation of sweat glands. But they have to be prescribed as they aren’t for everyone and can cause side effects like heart palpitations, blurred vision, and urinary problems.
Iontophoresis: During the treatment, you sit with your hands and feet dipped in a shallow tray of water for 20 to 30 minutes, while a low current passes through the water. The activity blocks sweat from getting to the skin’s surface. Repeat the treatment few times a week. You may stop sweating after several recurrences. You can buy a machine to perform this activity at home.
Surgery: Surgery is recommended only to those who haven’t responded to other underarm sweating treatments; people whose condition is severe. The doctor can cut, scrape, or suction your sweat glands in the surgery.
Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS) is another surgical procedure. In ETS, a surgeon makes tiny incisions and cuts your armpit nerves that are responsible for activating sweat glands. The method is effective but used only as a last resort on those who have tried every other underarm sweating treatment. ETS is irreversible and leaves scars. One side effect of ETS is compensatory sweating, in which your body stops sweating in one area, but starts sweating in another to compensate.
With these underarm sweating treatment options, you are sure to get desired results. Peace.