Everyonesweatswhen they get hot.
It’s how our bodies naturally cool down.
Some of us may sweat a little more than othersmaking a post-workoutshampooing necessaryno matter the activity.
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But for other people, their sweating is so excessive it interferes with everyday life.
For the bulk of people, no one really knows what causes it, Karamanoukian says.
There are two likely reasons: “The brain and nervous system are sending too many signals to sweat.
Or, the nervous system is acting normally but sweat glands in a certain area are hyperactive.”
Here are the most common treatments for hyperhidrosis, and what you’re able to expect from each.
Prescription antiperspirants
Chances are even clinical-strength drugstore antiperspirants just won’t cut it for someone with hyperhidrosis.
Sometimes, a prescription-strength one, like Drysol, may be strong enough to stop your sweating.
it might seriously sting) so it can do its thing overnight.
Botox
Botox worksby blocking the signals from the nerves that activate your sweat glands in a certain area.
Blocking sweat from one area of your body isn’t going to make you sweat more somewhere else.
“We’re only treating a small percentage of overall sweat glands.
So your body isn’t benefiting from them anyway.
Insurance companies may pay for it if it’s deemed medically necessary, Karamanoukian says.
Otherwise, it can get pretty pricey.
Anticholinergics are a class of medications that block the neurotransmitter acetylcholinewhich is responsible for telling your body to sweat.
“It basically tasers the sweat glands,” Karamanoukian says.
Don’t worry, the current isn’t big enough to electrocute you.
Zapping overactive sweat glands with microwaves
Karamanoukian says more energy-based treatments are on their way to becoming FDA-approved.
“It’s really easy, incisions are tiny, and it works really well.”
It’s invasive, and you’ll be put under general anesthesia.
As more advanced noninvasive technologies emerge, hopefully invasive last resorts will become obsolete.
Photo Credit: Runstudio / Getty Images
