Sweating is a normal response of the body when it is hot or when we undertake strenuous effort. Sweating becomes a problem when it is extreme and excessive. If you are experiencing excessive sweat production, there are treatments available to stop or control profuse perspiration. Hyperhidrosis or excessive sweating is a common problem. The forms of treatment depend on the condition of hyperhidrosis.
A mild to moderate condition of hyperhidrosis can be treated by non-intrusive means. The simplest way of dealing with the mild condition is with antiperspirants which can either be prescribed by a doctor or over the counter. A Dermatologist may prescribe the proper antiperspirant for a mild to moderate sweating disorder as this topical treatment must be applied carefully. There are also oral medications, such as Robinul, that can effectively reduce excessive sweating, but such medication should only be taken under the advice or supervision of a doctor.
In case the condition of hyperhidrosis is severe then your doctor may recommend two possible types of treatment, Botox injection or surgery. Among the two, Botox is less intrusive than actual surgery and many patients usually prefer this form of treatment. This type of treatment involves a series of injections into the sweat glands, particularly around the arms and armpits, to block the nerves that supply the eccrine glands which produce sweat. After receiving this treatment, the individual will sweat less than before. This treatment has to be done every three or four months for up to a year. More than a million people have considered Botox injection for hyperhidrosis as this form of treatment is safe and almost non-invasive. However it is not a permanent solution as new nerves grow and the treatment will need to be repeated.
Sweating is regulated by the nervous system which makes surgery another treatment option for severe hyperhidrosis. Surgical treatment for excessive sweating is proven to be very effective since it involves the process of cutting off the nerve supply to the skin's sweat glands. The procedure is known as Endoscopic Thoracoscopic Sympathectomy (ETS) and would be performed by a Thoracic surgeon on a day-care basis under general anesthesia.
You may find that these two forms of hyperhidrosis treatment are expensive. What if you cannot afford any of these treatments? It may be that surgery is not necessary because thecause of some excessive sweating can be anxiety about sweating. By imagining you are going to sweat in certain situations maybe on the subway or somewhere crowded this creates anxiety and the anxiety creates adrenalin and the adrenalin creates heat and your body needs to cool down. As a result you sweat profusely. Counselling may be effective to lessen the anxiety about sweating and to create ideas of being comfortable, being in control, cool and calm in those situations where previously you would worry about sweating. It may be possible to reduce the sweating response, by 50 percent or more.
Counselling can help you train your mind to be more comfortable and more in control. Also, hypnotic techniques can help to get rid of the triggers, and create feelings of comfort and security in those situations
where you previously would sweat. With some conditions when the fear of sweating is gone, and the anxiety and stress is gone, the sweating is gone too.
