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Excessive sweating, called Hyperhidrosis (hi-pur-hi-dro-sis)
is a common disorder which effects millions of Americans each
year.
 An estimated
2-3% of Americans suffer from excessive sweating of the underarms
(axillary
hyperhidrosis) or of the palms and soles of the feet (palmoplantar
hyperhidrosis). This web-site is intended as an unbiased
resource for information about excessive sweating and hyperhidrosis
and has been put together by a group of registered pharmacists
in order to help answer their customers' important questions
about excessive sweating and hyperhidrosis. *It is recommended
that you review any information you read here with your physician.
Address your questions to askthepharmacist@excessivesweatinghyperhidrosis.com
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Although neurologic, metabolic, and other systemic diseases
can sometimes cause excessive sweating, most cases occur in people
who are otherwise healthy. Heat and emotions may trigger hyperhidrosis
in some, but many who suffer from hyperhidrosis sweat nearly
all the time, regardless of their mood or the weather. It is
often an emotionally distressing problem for people with the
condition. Excessive sweating can sometimes complicate business
and social interactions. Severe cases can have serious practical
consequences as well, making it hard for people who suffer from
it to hold a pen, grip a car steering wheel, or shake hands.
Effective treatments are now available to help those with hyperhidrosis
and many are reviewed on this web-site.
A judicious, stepwise approach to treatment hyperhidrosis
generally proceeds as follows:
 Over-The-Counter
antiperspirants -- usually tried first because they are
readily available. Antiperspirants containing aluminum chloride
may be more effective when other antiperspirants have failed.
(Of all our antiperspirant
comparisons, Mon Ray Antiperspirant, (strongest
of the over-the-counter antiperspirants) contains the strongest
concentration of active ingredient in the OTC market and is physician
and pharmacist recommended.)
Prescription strength antiperspirants
-- those containing aluminum chloride hexahydrate
Iontophoresis -- a device
which passes direct electricity through the skin using tap water
Oral medications -- such
as anticholinergics are said by some to reduce sweating
Botox (botulinum toxin)
-- recently approved in the U.S. by the FDA for treating excessive
axillary (underarm) sweating
Surgery -- Endoscopic Thoracic
Sympathectomy, as a last resort
Definitions and Glossary of commonly used excessive sweating,
hyperhidrosis related terms:
*These statements have not been
evaluated by the FDA, and are not meant to diagnose, cure or
treat any disease.
ExcessiveSweatingHyperhidrosis.com disclaims any liability or
omission on any subject matter presented on this site. |
