Excessive Sweating

Excessive Sweating

People with excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) sweat profusely, and some sweat almost constantly. Although people with a fever or those exposed to very warm environments sweat, people with excessive sweating tend to sweat even without these circumstances. Excessive sweating may affect the entire surface of the skin, but often it is limited to the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, armpits, or genital area.

Treatments For Excessive Sweating

Excessive sweating can be controlled to some degree with commercial antiperspirants. However, stronger treatment is often needed, especially for the palms, soles, armpits, or genital area. Applying an aluminum chloride solution at night may help—prescription and nonprescription strengths of this drug are available. A person first dries the sweaty area and then applies the solution. If the response is inadequate, a plastic film can be applied over the solution to enhance its effectiveness. In the morning, the person removes the film and washes the area. If the solution irritates the skin, the plastic film should be left off. Some people need two applications daily; this regimen usually gives relief in a week. Then an application once or twice a week is sufficient to maintain relief.