Lifestyle Changes Can Help With Hyperhidrosis

For many people, sweat is inconvenient. It can feel very uncomfortable when sweating while exercising or being out in the heat. However, this sweating serves an important purpose. Sweating is the body’s natural method of cooling off. People with hyperhidrosis however, can keep sweating long after they should have stopped. In fact, they can sweat profusely without any normal cause at all! 

This excessive sweating can be very difficult for many people to handle. Social situations and day to day tasks can feel far more anxiety inducing. People with hyperhidrosis often feel a lot of stress that they are going to sweat through their clothing while in social areas around other people. The good news is that there are ways to combat hyperhidrosis. Whether it’s lifestyle changes made by an individual, or treatment from a medical professional! 

Types and Causes of Hyperhidrosis

Not all cases of hyperhidrosis are created the same. There are actually two different versions of this condition. The first is known as primary focal hyperhidrosis. In this case, there’s no real cause. The nerves that are responsible for the sweat glands overproduce at intervals. This results in the excessive sweating so many people know. This version tends to be localized to the palms of hands, soles of feet and the facial area. 

The second type of hyperhidrosis is secondary hyperhidrosis. This is caused by a different medical condition and tends to affect the body. Chronic conditions like Diabetes, menopause, low blood sugar, thyroid problems, and nervous system disorders can all be a cause. Some cancers can also cause it. Heart attacks and infections are serious short term causes of secondary hyperhidrosis. 

Lifestyle Changes and Home Treatment

There’s quite a few different things that can be done to help manage hyperhidrosis and the issues that can come along with it. These lifestyle options are often simple things that can be done to help. Some of the options include: 

• Antiperspirant - Many cases involve prescription antiperspirant, but over the counter versions are effective at helping minor cases of hyperhidrosis. 
• Bathing - It may sound simple, but bathing daily ensures there’s minimal bacteria on the skin. For people with hyperhidrosis, getting as dry as possible afterward really helps. This is especially true for crevices like between toes and underarms. 
• Change Socks - When it doubt, change your socks one or two times each day. Dry your feet in between. When you’re able to, just let your feet air out and use no shoes at all. 
• Natural Materials - Try to avoid using synthetic materials. Let feet breathe through socks to reduce sweat. It also can help to use moisture-wicking materials when exercising. This also applies for clothing as well as socks and shoes. 
• Yoga and Meditation - The stress that helps trigger excessive sweating can be difficult to deal with. Relaxation techniques can be a great way to help handle things. 
• Seek Counseling - Many of the people who suffer from hyperhidrosis can benefit from some additional counseling to combat the mental aspects of issues. 

Medicinal Treatment

Treatment is always designed by a doctor. Typically, the first thing that will be tried is prescription antiperspirant. Unlike the normal version, this is usually applied overnight and then washed off in the morning. If those don’t work, creams exist as well. Medications exist to help block the nerve impulses that are over-reacting, and block their communication with the sweat glands. 

In serious cases, microwave therapy or surgery can be considered. Microwave therapy destroys sweat glands using multiple treatment sessions. Suction curettage can also remove sweat glands as a minor procedure. There are two forms of surgery (sympathectomy and sympathectomy) if which the nerves are either severed, clamped or interrupts the nerve signal directly in the spinal area.