Can you cure excessive sweating

What is a heart attack? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Eisenach JH, et al. Hyperhidrosis: Evolving therapies for a well-established phenomenon. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. Hyperhidrosis excessive sweating. Riggin EA. Decision Support System. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Hines RL, et al. Diseases of the autonomic and peripheral nervous systems. Philadelphia, Pa. Stashak Ab, et al. Management of hyperhidrosis. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology.

Gibson LE expert opinion. Related Sweat glands. Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. Availability on the NHS is likely to be very limited and you will probably need to pay for private treatment.

These procedures don't work for everyone and some of them are relatively new, which means there isn't always evidence about their long-term safety and effectiveness. Feelings of anxiety are not directly responsible for causing primary hyperhidrosis, but they can make the situation worse and create a vicious cycle. You may feel self-conscious, which can trigger anxiety in certain situations, such as when meeting new people or being in a crowded room.

The anxiety can make the sweating worse. If your anxiety is making your sweating worse, a type of talking therapy called cognitive behavioural therapy CBT might help. Medication for anxiety is not usually recommended because it can make sweating worse. Hyperhidrosis doesn't usually pose a serious threat to your health, but it can sometimes lead to physical and emotional problems. This is because excessive sweat combined with wearing socks and shoes creates an ideal surrounding for fungi to grow.

Fungal infections can be treated with antifungal creams. More severe cases may require antifungal tablets or capsules. Eczema can also be made worse by excessive sweating. Although people with hyperhidrosis sweat a lot, most don't have problems with body odour. This is because hyperhidrosis doesn't usually affect the sweat glands responsible for producing unpleasant-smelling sweat — called the aprocrine sweat glands.

However, if bacteria are allowed to break down the sweat, it can start to smell unpleasant. Eating spicy food and drinking alcohol can also make sweat secreted from the eccrine smell. This can be prevented or eased by following lifestyle advice, such as frequently using antiperspirant spray and using armpit shields to absorb sweat.

See treating hyperhidrosis for more information. The emotional impact of living with hyperhidrosis can be severe. Many people with the condition feel unhappy and, in some cases, depressed.

Signs that you may be depressed include:. It is important not to neglect your mental health. Make an appointment to see your GP if you think that you may be depressed. Read more about depression or find out more about tackling stress, anxiety and depression. Home Illnesses and conditions Skin, hair and nails Hyperhidrosis.

Hyperhidrosis See all parts of this guide Hide guide parts 1. About hyperhidrosis 2. Causes of hyperhidrosis 3. Treating hyperhidrosis 4.

Complications of hyperhidrosis. About hyperhidrosis Hyperhidrosis is a common condition in which a person sweats excessively. Commonly affected areas include the: armpits palms of your hands soles of your feet face and chest groin Both sides of the body are usually affected equally — for example, both feet or both hands. What is excessive sweating?

For example, you may have hyperhidrosis if: you avoid physical contact, such as shaking hands, because you feel self-conscious about your sweating you don't take part in activities, such as dancing or exercise, for fear they will make your sweating worse excessive sweating is interfering with your job — for example, you have difficulty holding tools or using a computer keyboard you're having problems with normal daily activities, such as driving you're spending a significant amount of time coping with sweating — for example, frequently showering and changing your clothes you become socially withdrawn and self-conscious When to see your GP Visit your GP if you feel that your sweating is interfering with your daily activities, or you suddenly start sweating excessively.

What causes hyperhidrosis? This can have many different triggers, including: pregnancy or the menopause anxiety certain medications low blood sugar hypoglycaemia an overactive thyroid gland hyperthyroidism infections Read more about the causes of hyperhidrosis.

How hyperhidrosis is treated Excessive sweating can be challenging to treat and it may take a while to find a treatment right for you.

Who is affected Hyperhidrosis is common. Causes of hyperhidrosis Hyperhidrosis can be divided into 2 types, depending on whether an obvious cause can be identified. Primary hyperhidrosis Hyperhidrosis that has no obvious cause is known as primary hyperhidrosis. Genes Some cases of primary hyperhidrosis appear to run in families, which suggests a genetic mutation may be the cause. Secondary hyperhidrosis If a cause of hyperhidrosis can be identified, it's known as secondary hyperhidrosis.

Treating hyperhidrosis Hyperhidrosis can be challenging to treat and it may take a while to find the best treatment for you. Lifestyle changes Changing your lifestyle cannot cure primary hyperhidrosis hyperhidrosis with no obvious cause , but it can improve your symptoms and help your confidence.

The advice below may help. Avoid triggers that you know make your sweating worse, such as spicy foods and alcohol Use antiperspirant frequently, rather than deodorant Avoid wearing tight, restrictive clothing and man-made fibres, such as nylon Wearing black or white clothing can minimise signs of sweating Armpit shields can absorb excessive sweat and protect your clothes Wear socks that absorb moisture, such as thick socks made of natural fibres, or special soles or sports socks designed to absorb moisture Avoid wearing socks made out of man-made materials and change your socks at least twice a day if possible Ideally wear shoes made of leather, and try to alternate between different pairs of shoes every day Stronger antiperspirants If a regular antiperspirant doesn't control your sweating, your GP may prescribe or suggest a stronger one for you.

Anticholinergics You may be prescribed a type of medicine called an anticholinergic or antimuscarinic. Referral to a dermatologist If lifestyle changes and treatment don't work, your GP may refer you to a dermatologist a specialist in treating skin conditions for further treatment, such as iontophoresis, botulinum toxin or surgery. Iontophoresis Iontophoresis may help if you have excessive sweating that affects your hands or feet. Botulinum toxin injections Botulinum toxin can be injected into the skin in areas of the body affected by hyperhidrosis.

Potential side effects of botulinum toxin injections include: pain, redness or itching where the injections are given nausea, headaches and hot flushes after the injections are given another part of your body sweating more to make up for treated area — known as compensatory sweating muscle weakness around the treatment area Most of these side effects are short-lived or will resolve as the effect of the injections wears off.

One of your lungs will be collapsed temporarily to prevent airflow during surgery and to offer extra space for the operation. The surgical team will insert an endoscope, which is a small camera, through one of the cuts. This will help the surgeon look inside of your chest via a monitor while he or she carries out the procedure.

When the surgeon identifies the nerve associated with your overactive sweat glands, he or she will disrupt it by destroying, clipping, or cutting it. Next, your deflated lung will be inflated again, and the cuts will be stitched up. The surgeon may repeat the procedure on the opposite side of your body, depending on your case of hyperhidrosis. Usually, the procedure is complete within one to three hours. Benefits of this procedure include a short hospital stay and often a quick recovery.

Risks, on the other hand, include developing gustatory sweating, which refers to sweating during eating. Gustatory sweating occurs in 5 to 10 percent of people who undergo ETS. More commonly, you may begin excessively sweating in areas of the body where you did not before. This type of sweating, called compensatory hyperhidrosis, affects about 70 percent of people treated with this procedure. Rarely, people who get ETS may develop Horner's syndrome, which can happen because of nerve damage during the procedure.

This syndrome may cause your pupil to look smaller, your eyelid to droop, or a complete lack of sweating on one side of your face. In time, this side effect may subside. Again, ETS is permanent. There have been no reports of successful reversal of this operation. Iontophoresis is an alternative therapy that may improve symptoms of hyperhidrosis.

This technique can be performed at home and uses an electrical current to temporarily stop sweat glands in certain parts of the body. With your feet or hands immersed in the water, the device passes a mild electrical current through the water with the intent of disrupting your sweat glands. This therapy is effective, but also time consuming. You may need two to three treatments a week, and each treatment may take up to 40 minutes. Results are temporary. Hyperhidrosis natural treatments include herbal supplements like sage, chamomile , and St.

Consult your doctor before taking herbal supplements, especially if you take prescription medications. Acupuncture for hyperhidrosis may also provide positive results.

In one past study, three people with primary hyperhidrosis received 20 to 25 acupuncture sessions over the course of a few months. Excessive sweating might seem like a minor annoyance, but depending on its severity, hyperhidrosis can cause physical and psychological distress.

Hyperhidrosis creates a moist environment where fungus can grow and thrive. It can also lead to fungal nail infections, as well as body odor. Excessive sweating can also cause the skin to breakdown, allowing entry of bacteria and viruses that can trigger skin infections like warts. According to research published in December in the American Journal of Managed Care , people with hyperhidrosis have a percent greater risk of skin infections.

Plus, excessive sweating can make you uncomfortable in social settings. You might avoid events or gatherings out of fear or embarrassment over visible perspiration. It also prevents some from pursuing educational and professional goals.

Hyperhidrosis can take an emotional and psychological toll. Seeing a doctor helps. But if you need a more immediate solution, several strategies can help you cope and reduce feelings of anxiety. Some people have found it helpful to keep a sweat journal. In your journal, make a note of days that you experience abnormal sweating, and then log your activity level, what foods you ate, and your emotional state during this day.

You may find that eating certain types of foods — perhaps spicy foods — or being upset or anxious triggers excessive sweating. If you're feeling stressed , practice relaxation and mindfulness techniques like yoga or meditation. These approaches may also lower your stress level and reduce excessive sweating.

In addition, set limitations and avoid overbooking yourself. You might even cut back on caffeine. Although reports indicate that primary hyperhidrosis affects about 4. Typically, primary hyperhidrosis develops between ages 14 and 25, and it most commonly affects young adults ages 18 to In those diagnosed with hyperhidrosis, about 35 percent to 55 percent have a family history of the condition.

Hyperhidrosis can affect anyone, but some data shows that Japanese Americans are affected more than any other group, according to research published in in StatPearls. Excess sweating can have an impact on your emotional well-being, and can increase the risk of skin infections. If you have secondary hyperhidrosis, sweating can occur as a symptom of another medical condition. This website provides a wealth of information on hyperhidrosis — causes, symptoms, treatments, and more.

It hosts a news blog featuring some of the latest findings and research on hyperhidrosis. Browse the community forum, and learn tips and tricks for managing this condition, or take advantage of resources to help you find a dermatologist in your area. The John Hopkins Center for Sweat Disorders offers several hyperhidrosis patient resources, including information on treatments and an FAQ page on excessive sweating. The Mayo Clinic is another helpful, comprehensive resource for hyperhidrosis.

You can read stories from people like you and learn their tips for coping. This site is another helpful resource for adults and children living with hyperhidrosis. But you can talk to your doctor and learn ways to put excessive sweating behind you.

Archives of Dermatological Research. October