Don’t sweat it

You’re giving a speech and you notice your armpits feel warm and moist. You’re on a first date and your palms are drenched. You frequently have to bring two T-shirts to the gym. Sweating can be embarrassing, especially when it happens at times when you want to convey an image of cool confidence. Those who sweat excessively are often anxious about their condition, which may lead to social withdrawal. But fear not, loyal sweat-ers. Excessive sweating isn’t always a cause for alarm, and there are things you can do to weaken its adverse effects.

Hyperhidrosis, the fancy term for excessive sweating, can affect any body part that has sweat glands. Technically, more than 20 milligrams of sweat per palm per minute can be defined as hyperhidrosis. If you don’t have time to measure your sweat (who doesn’t?!), then just know this — any amount of sweating that causes you to feel embarrassed is considered “excessive.”

Hyperhidrosis can be focal or generalized. Focal sweating frequently occurs on the palms, soles, underarms and forehead, and is usually the result of stress. Generalized sweating, on the other hand, can involve the entire body. Although most cases result from unknown causes, endocrine disorders, some foods and drinks, certain medications, cancers and infections are the common culprits.

Hyperhidrosis can be diagnosed by history and examination, and your doctor might include other targeted tests. So if you’re experiencing any type of excessive sweating, visit your doctor.

The key to preventing sweaty situations is to figure out why you sweat. If it’s related to stress, you can retrain your brain by gradually exposing yourself to that stressor. Eventually, your body won’t respond as if you’re in danger. You can also try to avoid stimulants, such as caffeine found in coffee, tea, chocolate or certain over-the-counter medications.

If your prevention techniques aren’t cutting it, try controlling hyperhidrosis with over-the-counter antiperspirants. Look for ones with aluminum salts, which have been shown to block the ducts leading from the sweat glands to the surface of the skin. And even if you’re sweating in places other than your armpits, applying aluminum chloride at night may help. You can find this in both prescription and non-prescription strength. Wash and thoroughly dry the sweaty area, then apply the solution. If that doesn’t work, try applying a plastic film over the solution to enhance its effectiveness. Remove the solution in the morning. This regimen usually leads to positive results in a week. Afterward, an application once or twice a week will help to maintain relief.

If these non-invasive treatments still don’t work, your doctor can try some more aggressive methods. Tap water iontophoresis, for instance, uses electricity to “turn off” the sweat glands. Certain medicines can be used, as well, and injections of botox can temporarily diminish sweating. Be sure to talk to your doctor about the pros and cons of each possible treatment.

Odor, which is caused by sweat mixing with bacteria and yeast on the surface of the skin, is often an embarrassing side effect of hyperhydrosis. Try cleaning the problem area twice a day with soap and water. To reduce the amount of bacteria, you may need to use antibacterial creams containing antibiotics. And don’t overlook the basics: Shave whenever possible and wash your clothes often!
The bottom line is, excessive sweating is an embarrassing problem, but you don’t have to let it affect your life. There are many treatments available, regardless of the root cause of your condition. Seek the advice of your doctor to rule out any underlying medical condition that could be causing your excessive sweating, and be sure to discuss the various treatment options.

Kira Blair Mayo is a University Medical student. She can be reached at k.mayo@cavalierdaily.com.