10 Topical Treatments for Hyperhidrosis
Living with hyperhidrosis isn’t easy. In fact, people with hyperhidrosis report a significantly lower quality of life compared to people with psoriasis or atopic dermatitis.
There are many ways of dealing with hyperhidrosis, from wearing a sweat proof undershirt to altering the way you dress, minding the foods you eat or seeking medical treatments.
When it comes to managing hyperhidrosis, topical treatments should be your first line of defense. Before you consider undergoing any medical procedures, it’s worth trying noninvasive solutions first. Topical hyperhidrosis treatments are safer and might still be able to provide the results you’re seeking.
More info: The Complete Guide to Hyperhidrosis Treatments
In this blog, we’ll look at some of the best topical treatments for hyperhidrosis, including hyperhidrosis creams, wipes and antiperspirants.
Types of Topical Treatments for Hyperhidrosis
There are three main types of topical treatments for hyperhidrosis: antiperspirants, antiperspirant creams and antiperspirant wipes. Let’s take a deeper dive and learn more about each one.
Antiperspirant Creams and Lotions
Antiperspirant creams (or hyperhidrosis creams) are ideal for parts of the body that aren’t your underarms. Sweaty faces, heads, hands and feet are treated more effectively with creams and lotions than with traditional antiperspirants.
Antiperspirant Wipes
Antiperspirant wipes are moist towelettes that can treat hyperhidrosis while you’re on-the-go. Their primary use is to remove sweat build-up while providing antiperspirant protection.
Clinical or Prescription Strength Antiperspirants
Antiperspirants for managing underarm sweat are available as sprays, roll-ons, and solids or sticks.
You might often see others using the terms “clinical” and “prescription” strength somewhat interchangeably, but they differ slightly.
The FDA classifies antiperspirants as drugs. This rule limits the amount of aluminum chloride (the active ingredient) that antiperspirants can contain - up to 19 percent.
Prescription antiperspirants can contain a higher percentage of aluminum chloride than their drugstore counterparts (around 20 percent). They also include aluminum chloride hexahydrate, which is a different, more potent aluminum compound than over-the-counter options.
Read: How to Choose the Right Prescription Antiperspirant
10 Topical Treatments for Hyperhidrosis
Here are the top ten topical treatments currently available for hyperhidrosis.
1. CertainDri
CertainDri is one of the original clinical-strength antiperspirant brands.
- Best for people living with hyperhidrosis
- Provides multi-day protection
- Retail price: $5.67 for 1.2 fl. oz.
2. Maxim Antiperspirant
Maxim contains a custom formula that helps to control hyperhidrosis.
- Also available in a sensitive skin formula
- Works up to 72 hours
- Retail price: $14.95 for 1.0 fl. oz.
3. ZeroSweat
ZeroSweat can stop excessive sweating for over a week with one application.
- Prevents clogged pores from antiperspirant build-up
- Also available as lotion and wipes
- Retail price: $19.95 for 1.0 fl. oz.
4. Duradry
Duradry offers a three-step solution to help control your excessive sweating.
- Prescription-strength products
- Includes a body wash and antiperspirants for daytime and nighttime use
- Retail price for a one-time purchase: $35.00, with subscriptions available.
5. Drysol
Drysol can be used on the underarms, hands, feet, face, back, skin folds and groin area.
- Prescription-strength antiperspirant
- Available in mild, regular and extra strength formulas
- Retail price: $32.00
6. Xerac AC
Xerac AC is a prescription-strength antiperspirant that helps control hyperhidrosis.
- Not for use with other antiperspirants or deodorants
- The liquid may stain certain fabrics and harm metals
- Average retail price: $17.80
7. Carpe
Carpe lotion helps manage the day-to-day symptoms of hyperhidrosis.
- Smooth, non-greasy and non-irritating clinical strength antiperspirant lotion
- Hyperhidrosis creams available for hands, feet, underarms, face, breasts and thighs
- Retail price: $19.95
8. Ducray
Ducray captures odors caused by the breakdown of sweat by bacteria.
- Reduces perspiration 51 percent from the first use
- Non-sticky and invisible texture allows easy use on the palms and soles of feet
- Retail price: $18.00
9. SweatBlock
SweatBlock is a clinical-strength antiperspirant wipe for treating hyperhidrosis.
- Keeps you dry for up to seven days per use
- Also available in stick, spray and lotion formulas
- Retail price: $8.99
10. QBREXZA
QBREXZA is a prescription cloth towelette for treating severe underarm sweating.
- Contains anticholinergic drugs that reduce sweat production
- Side effects can be significant if you have underlying medical conditions
- Retail price: QBREXZA can be costly. Check with your doctor or insurance carrier for pricing.
Learn more about QBREXZA here.
Why Choose Topical Treatments for Hyperhidrosis?
If you struggle with hyperhidrosis, surgery, electrotherapy or Botox injections might seem tempting. However, these methods can be dangerous, have irreversible side effects, or not work for you altogether.
By experimenting with safer topical hyperhidrosis treatments first, you’ll know if they are sufficient enough for your needs before you go all-in with any permanent medical procedures.
You can even combine topical treatments for hyperhidrosis with home remedies or other all-natural solutions, such as sweat proof undershirts, for best results. Try the Thompson Tee, which is the only patented sweat proof undershirt on the market that’s guaranteed to block 100% of armpit sweat and odor from reaching and staining outer layers of clothing.
As of now, there is no cure for hyperhidrosis. Instead, effective day-to-day management (rather than invasive, overpromising treatments) is more critical for ensuring sweat doesn’t get in the way of your daily life.
