So what can you do for Hyperhidrosis exactly? Luckily there are a lot of different treatment options out there to manage the condition. There are topical treatments where you’ll have to apply something directly to the area where you sweat the most, then there are then invasive and non-invasive surgical procedures. Each option has its own pros and cons, but they all treat the sweating effectively.
There are several different treatment options out there to manage the condition. This can be in the form of medication, injections, or surgery. These treatments can vary from extremely effective to only somewhat helpful. Some people with hyperhidrosis can manage the condition with a combination of these various treatments. And if your condition is more severe than others then you may just have to experiment until you find the option that works best for you.
What To Do For Excessive Sweating?
If you are a patient who suffers from hyperhidrosis, we understand that you want to seek treatment as soon as possible. Excessive sweating has many symptoms, but the main ones that most people have to include overactive sweat glands located all over the body, heavy sweating brought on by strenuous activity or hot climates, and severe sweating of the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. Luckily if you have mild to moderate hyperhidrosis, there are medication options that you can take which usually help regulate your bodily functions. However, if your excessive sweating is intensified, then surgery is your best option.
On top of the medication, there are a number of treatment options most patients can try. Since hyperhidrosis is an abnormality in the nervous system, that is where many patients wish to start treatment. Whether it is acupuncture, biofeedback, or even hypnosis, these types of therapies are often used to retrain the body’s signals. Another option that seems to help some patients is iontophoresis treatment. This involves two electrodes connected by wires to a machine that runs a small amount of water through the electrodes and into the skin. The process does not harm the skin, however, it does activate signals from the nervous system similar to how these procedures work for other forms of sweating, such as underarm sweating.
You’ve likely tried several things to try and stop the excessive sweating, and for some reason, you still haven’t found a solution that works for you. If this describes your situation, then there are other treatments you can explore (in addition to prescription antiperspirants and over-the-counter antiperspirants). The first step would be to visit a dermatologist for a consultation about your problem. You may need something stronger than an over-the-counter antiperspirant if none of them have worked for you. You can visit a skin care pharmacy so that you can talk to a dermatologist personally. Be sure that you know what type of product you are getting (an OTC antiperspirant vs prescription antiperspirant).
Surgery and Other Options
If the above treatments are not right for you, we also provide two other options: microwave therapy and surgical excision. Microwave therapy is done using a device that delivers microwave energy to destroy sweat glands. The treatment involves two different sessions scheduled three months apart from each other. The sessions are about twenty to thirty minutes long. The side effects that come with this type of therapy are sensitive skin sensations and discomfort. Unfortunately, microwave therapy is hard to come by and can be very expensive. For those who want a full cure for sweating, surgical excision is an option, but should only be considered if nothing else has worked because it does involve cutting out sweat glands from the armpits.
Sweat gland removal surgery is a form of excision surgery. During this form of surgery, your physician will find the specific area in your underarm where the sweat glands are located. You will be given a local anesthetic or simply pain medication that can deal with any discomfort you have.
Working with your doctor, you can research and understand the different treatment options available to you. Surgery is effective in some people. In other cases, maybe you’d rather choose less invasive treatments such as Botox injections or iontophoresis devices. Our team of plastic surgeons is here to help you make the best choice for your recovery and well-being.
Your doctor might offer surgery as an option. Surgery can be successful at making your sweating under control. There are different types of surgery you could have done, some leave only scars on the skin. And others go deeper into your body. It’s very important to talk to your doctor about the risks and to get a second opinion if more than one person thinks it’s a good idea for you. Surgery is never guaranteed, even when it has worked for others.
