Excessive sweating, known in the medical world as hyperhidrosis, can be a big annoyance and embarrassment to many who suffer from it. Excessive sweating can involve the underarms, soles of the feet, and palms of the hands. Finding the cause, or trigger, of excessive sweating can help narrow the treatment choices.

Antiperspirants you take at night work for most people…

Home remedies such as antiperspirants, particularly those containing aluminum chloride, can be tried first. If this does not help control sweating, the next step is to try a prescription antiperspirant (prescribed by your doctor) that contains aluminum chloride hexahydrate, which acts to block sweat ducts. After applying the prescription antiperspirant for up to 10 nights in a row, sweating should be reduced. In some individuals, sweating diminishes to a point where no additional maintenance treatment is needed. Of course, this option works more for individuals who have excessive underarm sweating versus those with sweating of the palms or feet.

Another potential treatment option for excessive sweating is iontophoresis, a procedure in which water is used to conduct an electric current to the skin, which in turn blocks the production of sweat. Individuals are initially treated with iontophoresis for 10- to 20-minute sessions 2 or 3 times a week. Over time, maintenance treatments are performed at 1- to 3-week intervals. Although iontophoresis sounds like it could be painful, it is not. A doctor’s prescription is required, and some insurance companies cover this procedure.
More obscure methods to reduce sweating.

Other potential ways to stop excessive sweating include use of oral anticholinergic medications, Botox, and, rarely, surgery. Anticholinergic medications are not often used because they have associated side effects such as dry mouth and insomnia. Botox is approved to treat excessive underarm sweating but not for sweating of the hands or feet, although some doctors will administer Botox to the palms and feet.

With proper treatment, individuals with excessive sweating achieve a good response.