What is hyperhidrosis?

There are certain times when sweating can feel great: after leaving the gym, while going on a jog, or playing a quick game of pick-up basketball with your friends. Other times, sweating can be a huge inconvenience: during a first date, shaking hands at an important job interview, or before a big presentation.

For most people, sweating due to nerves or exercise is just a sign that your body is operating according to procedure; sweat keeps your body from overheating and is often an unconscious, automatic response to situations that make you feel angry, afraid, or embarrassed. If you experience excessive sweating while the temperature is cool or you are at rest, there is a good chance you are one of the estimated 8 million Americans who struggle with hyperhidrosis. The medical condition can affect anyone regardless of race, age, or gender.

Hyperhidrosis can affect just about any part of the human body, but is commonly seen in the hands, feet, and armpits. All this extra sweating can make using a computer or opening a door more difficult, the stains in clothing can be embarrassing, and the extra moisture can create the perfect conditions for the development of an infection. The emotional and physical discomfort exacerbates the problem, and soon you are stuck in a vicious cycle of sweat.

How to Fight Excessive Sweating

Here are some helpful tips to combat excessive sweating from your Dallas, Tx Dermatologist, George Wooming.

Avoid spicy food and caffeine.

While those jalapeño peppers on your nachos or that first morning cup of coffee may taste great, that extra heat can activate neurotransmitters in our brain that can lead to extra sweat. Try cutting back on the heat.

Choose the right clothing.

Ditch your heavier clothing for lighter, more breathable fabrics, make sure to wash clothes before re-wearing, and change your shoes and socks often; your skin will thank you.

Amp up the antiperspirants.

Speak with a dermatologist about upgrading to a clinical strength antiperspirant; sometimes all your sweat glands need is that extra kick to stop overproducing. Also, try applying before you go to sleep. Overnight, the antiperspirant will have the opportunity to soak into your skin, so it will be even more effective when you wake up.

See a dermatologist.

If these at-home methods prove to be fruitless, make an appointment with your Dallas, Tx dermatologist to learn more about treatment for hyperhidrosis. We will find the right treatment to counteract the neurotransmitters in your brain that lead to extra sweating.

Consider your options.

If you want to stop the extra sweating for good, and you have exhausted all the other options, a surgical treatment may be right for you. Botox injections to the armpits can be an effective way to halt sweating forever, as sweat glands do not regenerate. Contact Knox Dermatology to learn more about Botox and the many other procedures we offer.

If you would like to speak to a doctor about your excessive sweating, don’t hesitate to contact your Dallas, Tx Dermatologist, George Wooming, MD.