HYPERHIDROSIS
Are you one of the millions of men and women who deal with excessive sweating daily? Learn more about the types of hyperhidrosis and how you can live sweat mark-free.
What Is Hyperhidrosis?
Sweating is completely normal. But when your body sweats more than it needs to regulate body temperature, you might have the medical condition hyperhidrosis.
Nearly 5 percent of the population suffers from hyperhidrosis — and thousands more live undiagnosed. But every case of hyperhidrosis is different.
Some people experience excessive sweating as a child or teenager. And for others, the condition emerges later in life. While some people with hyperhidrosis sweat heavily in just one area — others perspire across their entire body.
Types of Hyperhidrosis
Many factors affect your experience with hyperhidrosis — how much you perspire, where you sweat most and when it starts. Although there are many types of hyperhidrosis, they all fall into two categories:
Primary Hyperhidrosis
People with primary hyperhidrosis experience excessive sweating in one area. The underarms, hands, feet and forehead are the most common areas affected. Most people with primary hyperhidrosis experience extreme sweating episodes daily.
Types of primary hyperhidrosis:
- Underarms: Axillary hyperhidrosis
- Hands: Palmer hyperhidrosis
- Feet: Plantar hyperhidrosis
- Head/Face: Cranial hyperhidrosis
- Groin: Inguinal hyperhidrosis
- Torso: Truncal hyperhidrosis
- Compensatory Hyperhidrosis (CS): Also known as rebound hyperhidrosis or reflex hyperhidrosis, CS is the most common side effect of endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS) surgery, which is used to treat severe hyperhidrosis.
Any healthy person can suffer from primary hyperhidrosis. Doctors haven't isolated a cause or cure, but evidence shows it's hereditary. Most people start seeing symptoms during childhood or puberty, but sometimes symptoms don't appear until early adulthood.
Secondary Hyperhidrosis
Secondary hyperhidrosis refers to excessive sweating caused by another medical condition or medication. People with secondary hyperhidrosis sweat all over their body and are more likely to sweat while sleeping.
In some cases, if you address the medical condition or stop taking the sweat-inducing medication, you can reverse secondary hyperhidrosis. (Always consult a doctor before stopping any medications.)
Some medical conditions that can cause secondary hyperhidrosis include:
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Menopause
- Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
Some medications that can lead to excessive sweating include:
- Antidepressants such as Norpramin, Pamelor and Protriptyline
- Pilocarpine for dry mouth
- Iron supplements
- Zinc supplements
If you think you might have secondary hyperhidrosis, it's best to consult with your doctor to uncover the underlying condition that's causing you to sweat.
"Hyperhidrosis can prevent people from enjoying a normal social life and moving up in their career. It also makes them vulnerable to anxiety and depression."
How Hyperhidrosis Affects You
Constantly worrying about sweat and trying to conceal wet marks is mentally exhausting. You might dread shaking hands with your colleagues because your palms are so sweaty. Or maybe you avoid social situations due to the embarrassment of visible sweat stains on your shirt.
Negative effects of hyperhidrosis include:
- Reduced self-confidence
- Fear of social situations
- Reluctance to make physical contact
- Irritating and painful skin problems, such as fungal or bacterial infections
- Loss of concentration at work and school
- Cost of replacing yellow-stained T-shirts and outerwear
How to Stop Sweaty Armpits for Good
Hyperhidrosis is not a curable condition, but you don't have to let it control your life. Here are some solutions that can minimize the effects of hyperhidrosis:
Antiperspirants
Most antiperspirants contain aluminum, which penetrates sweat glands and blocks them from producing sweat. Antiperspirants are most effective when applied on dry skin at night and in the morning. However, aluminum is known to cause skin irritation for people with sensitive skin or eczema, so use antiperspirant with caution.
The Thompson Tee
If you're looking for a safe and affordable solution for hyperhidrosis, try Thompson Tee. The Thompson Tee is a patented sweat proof undershirt guaranteed to block underarm sweat from showing. With built-in Hydro-Shield technology, the Thompson Tee absorbs and helps evaporate underarm sweat so it doesn't seep through your outer layer. All Thompson Tees are made in the U.S. and backed by an unconditional 30-day guarantee.
Oral Medications
Oral medications are prescribed for specific types of hyperhidrosis — mainly excessive facial sweating and generalized hyperhidrosis.
Anticholinergics are a class of prescription medications that decrease sweating across the entire body. Beta blockers and benzodiazepines are nerve-blocking medications that the physical response to stress, reducing excessive sweating.
Medications can be addictive, so consult your doctor before going this route.
Botox Injections
Botox temporarily paralyzes muscles to reduce wrinkles, treat certain muscle conditions or stop sweat. It also blocks the chemical that activates sweat glands in your armpits.
The procedure is relatively quick and painless, but costs approximately $1,000-$1,500 per session. Many people see long-term benefits with weekly treatments.
Iontophoresis
Iontophoresis is ideal for people with palmoplantar (hands and feet) hyperhidrosis. During the treatment, a medical device passes a mild electrical current through water to your skin's surface. Many people see long-term benefits with weekly treatments.
miraDry
This new hyperhidrosis treatment uses microwave technology to destroy underarm sweat glands, hair and odor glands. It's currently FDA-cleared for treating axillary hyperhidrosis but has not yet been approved for other types of excessive sweating.
Hyperhidrosis Surgery
If antiperspirant, medications and noninvasive procedures don't provide relief, your doctor might recommend hyperhidrosis surgery. During ETS surgery, doctors sever or clamp off the nerves that trigger sweating.
Surgery is the most invasive and expensive option for treating hyperhidrosis and can lead to irreversible side effects. You should exhaust all other options before considering ETS surgery.
Natural Alternatives
Looking for a healthier, cheaper alternative to invasive medical treatments? These natural ingredients are known for their sweat and odor-fighting abilities:
- Lemon juice
- Witch hazel
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Coconut oil
- White sandalwood powder
Sweat Proof Thompson Tees - A Solution To Hyperhidrosis
People with axillary hyperhidrosis sweat bullets through their T-shirts and outerwear, exposing their embarrassing sweating problem.
To address this issue, Thompson Tee co-founders Billy and Randy spent more than 10 years developing the only patented sweat proof technology called Hydro-Shield, which is embedded in the underarms of every premium Thompson Tee to fight sweat all day long.
This lightweight layering system traps heat and moisture and allows it to evaporate rather than seep through to your outer layer – providing relief from wet marks and yellowing that quickly destroy your clothing and your confidence.
"I just wanted to say thank you... as a long time sufferer of hyperhidrosis, I was at the point of considering surgery to ease the issue. I have had years of literally sweating straight through on to my dress shirt before even leaving the house. I was skeptical about your product as I didn't believe anything could stop the sweating I had. How wrong I was Your product has changed my life."
Steve A.
Axillary Hyperhidrosis 
Armpit Sweat 
Stress Sweat 
Nervous Sweating