Excessive Sweating: Causes and Treatments
What Causes Excessive Sweating?
While sweating, our body’s natural cooling system, helps regulate our internal temperature, too much of a good thing can lead to serious skin issues. Excessive sweating, also known as hyperhidrosis, is a condition where overactive nerves stimulate your sweat glands to perspire, causing embarrassing pit stains at work or night sweating at home.Excessive sweating can be uncomfortable, frustrating, and even socially isolating. And hyperhidrosis is far more common than you may realize. According to the International Hyperhidrosis Society’s review of a detailed study, nearly 5% of the US population is affected by hyperhidrosis of some variation. With so many of us experiencing symptoms of hyperhidrosis, it’s beneficial to understand the two different types of hyperhidrosis, so you can work with your skincare specialist to identify the underlying cause(s) and find appropriate solutions:
Primary hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating that occurs without necessarily being prompted by the typical sweat-inducing activities, such as exercising, increasing temperatures, eating spicy or caffeinated foods, etc. Many studies reveal that primary hyperhidrosis may be a hereditary condition.
Secondary hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating that’s caused by an underlying medical or medicine-inducing condition, such as heart disease, obesity, diabetes, infections, cancer, hormone imbalances, menopause, and other health conditions.
While hyperhidrosis can affect the entire body, there are certain areas that are most commonly affected, including:
- Armpits
- Head & Scalp
- Face
- Hands
- Feet
- Groin
Common Treatments for Excessive Sweating
Antiperspirants—including regular-strength over-the-counter antiperspirants, clinical-strength over-the-counter antiperspirants, and prescription-level antiperspirants.
Oral Medications—including anticholinergics, betablockers, and possibly some antidepressants for anxiety-related hyperhidrosis.
BOTOX® Injections—these types of injections temporarily stop the nerves from stimulating the sweat glands to produce sweat. Treatment results average around 6-12 months.
miraDry®—a safe, FDA-approved treatment for excessive sweating specific to the underarm area. The miraDry procedure uses non-invasive electromagnetic energy to eliminate sweat and odor glands from the armpit area. According to International Hyperhidrosis Society, a study on hyperhidrosis patients, who received 12 months of miraDry® treatments, noticed an average sweat reduction of 82%!
If excessive sweating is interfering with your quality of life or you’re tired of dealing with unwanted sweat stains on your clothing, it’s time to find a dermatological solution, so you can feel confident in your skin.
Stop the Cycle of Excessive Sweat with miraDry®
At Pinnacle Dermatology, our advanced dermatology solutions can help alleviate your concerns with excessive sweating. Our team of experienced skin specialists will work with you to understand your skincare goals and create a customized treatment approach to reduce the excessive sweating you’re experiencing. To learn more about miraDry® and other cosmetic services and treatments that help reduce excessive sweating, contact us today to schedule a free consultation, or visit one of our Pinnacle Dermatology locations!
