[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Is it hot in here? If it’s not and you’re
sweating, you may have hyperhidrosis, a medical condition that causes excessive sweating.
Everyone sweats. Sweating, also called perspiring, is a natural process that helps our bodies cool down when our body temperature rises. But, when our body produces too much sweat or sweats when we’re not hot, that excess sweat can interfere with daily activities and cause embarrassment.
Fortunately, there are ways to treat hyperhidrosis so you can go about your life without worrying about armpit stains, sweaty palms, or feeling drenched when everyone else is dry.
What is sweat?
Sweat, or perspiration, is an odorless (yes, odorless) liquid produced by sweat glands, small structures beneath your skin. Sweating is an essential bodily function that helps regulate your temperature. When you’re outdoors running, gardening, or playing sports, sweating helps cool your body so you don’t overheat.
When sweat is released from your sweat glands, it spreads out over your skin to bring your temperature down and then evaporates, for the most part. Sweat is mostly water with a touch of sodium, which is why sweat can taste salty and other vitamins and minerals.
What is hyperhidrosis, and what causes it?
Hyperhidrosis occurs when the body produces more sweat than it needs or produces sweat when it doesn’t need it. Properly functioning sweat glands activate when you’re hot or nervous and then turn off. With hyperhidrosis, your sweat glands overproduce sweat or turn on at random times.
There are two types of hyperhidrosis. The most common type, called primary hyperhidrosis, is caused by a gene mutation potentially passed on by a parent. People with primary hyperhidrosis usually start to experience symptoms, which include sweaty palms, feet, armpits, and face, as children or teens.
Secondary hyperhidrosis is when another condition or medication causes excessive sweating. This less common type of hyperhidrosis usually affects your whole body, and not just your hands and feet. Some health conditions in which excessive sweating is a symptom include:
- Menopause
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Thyroid conditions
- Diabetes
- Parkinson’s disease
- Pregnancy
- Certain cancers
Medications that may cause sweating include:
- Antidepressants
- Blood pressure medication
- Diabetes medications
- Antibiotics
- Supplements
- Antipsychotic medications
- Pain medications
Additionally,
anxiety, being obese and alcoholism can lead to excessive sweating.
Hyperhidrosis symptoms
As stated above, sweating is a normal body function, and excessive sweating may be a medical condition. But how do you know if you’re sweating too much? For one, you may sweat in just one area, such as your palms, feet, or armpits. You are damp on both sides of your body. Other signs of excessive sweating may include:
- You noticed sweaty palms or feet since you were a child
- You don’t sweat at night
- Your skin gets irritated or infected because of the dampness
- You sweat profusely frequently
If your sweating causes you embarrassment or you feel awkward about shaking hands, chances are you are experiencing excessive sweating. Fortunately, you don’t have to forgo holding hands for the rest of your life. There are various ways to help minimize your sweating.
How to prevent sweating (and treat it!)
Treatment options depend on the severity and cause of your sweating issues. Not surprisingly, the first line of defense against excessive sweating is
over-the-counter antiperspirant, at night or in the morning. You want to make sure the product is not just a
deodorant but also an antiperspirant.
Look for products that contain 10% to 15% aluminum chloride to effectively block your sweat glands. If an OTC product is not effective, talk to your doctor about a prescription-strength antiperspirant.
Another not-surprising strategy is to choose shade and stay out of the sun when outdoors. Other simple treatment strategies include:
- Bathe more frequently
- Wear breathable, loose fabrics
- Wear sandals or socks that wick moisture away
- Make sure your shoes and socks dry out before wearing them
- Keep an extra pair of clothing with you in case you need to change
- Use armpit pads to sop up your perspiration.
Additionally,
keeping a trigger sweating journal can help you determine if certain foods, weather conditions, or circumstances trigger sweating. For example, certain foods and beverages, such as alcohol, caffeine, or spicy foods, can make some people sweat more. Additionally, anxiety can trigger sweating episodes. If you can identify a trigger, you can avoid, minimize, or manage it. If anxiety is your trigger, mindfulness practices such as meditation and yoga can help.
For more severe sweating issues, medications, noninvasive treatments and, in the most severe circumstances, surgery are options. Botox, for example, is a noninvasive treatment option often used for excessive sweating. If you have secondary hyperhidrosis, managing the primary condition can help minimize the secondary symptoms.
In severe cases, surgery can help by removing your sweat glands or cutting the nerves that send signals to your sweat glands.
While hyperhidrosis is not a serious medical condition, it can interfere with your quality of life. Talk to your doctor to work out a treatment plan to help you combat excessive sweating so you can live without sweaty palms, damp clothing, underarm stains, or sweaty feet.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_text_separator title="Featured Products" border_width="2"][vc_row_inner equal_height="yes" content_placement="middle" gap="35"][vc_column_inner width="1/3"][vc_single_image image="186010" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" css=".vc_custom_1751412585964{padding-right: 7% !important;padding-left: 7% !important;}" link="https://www.vitacost.com/eo-natural-deodorant-wipe-french-lavender"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/3"][vc_single_image image="186011" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" css=".vc_custom_1751412600210{padding-right: 7% !important;padding-left: 7% !important;}" link="https://www.vitacost.com/routine-natural-deodorant-jar-the-curator"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/3"][vc_single_image image="186012" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" css=".vc_custom_1751412614735{padding-right: 7% !important;padding-left: 7% !important;}" link="https://www.vitacost.com/zion-health-clay-dry-deodorant-aluminum-free-silk-moroccan-bliss"][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]
