Hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating, can be an extremely disabling problem. Caused by overactivity of the sympathetic nervous system, hyperhidrosis can pose embarrassing problems doing simple everyday tasks like shaking hands, hugging, writing, and sometimes even establishing personal relationships. Those who suffer from it, and the number is not small – around one percent of the world’s population suffers from this disabling condition – do so not only physically and functionally but also socially and emotionally.
Tips to combat excessive sweating
1. As a hyperhidrosis patient, your clothes may get damp and give off an unpleasant odor. You will probably spend several hours a day dealing with excessive sweating: drying off, freshening up, showering, bathing, and doing laundry. Repeated washing and the use of deodorant soaps can alleviate the problem, but excessive use of these soaps can also cause dermatitis. It would be advisable to choose a cleanser that is 100% soap free.
2. As you may need to change clothes several times a day, loose-fitting clothing made of materials that do not easily stain is recommended.
3. Try to keep the folds between the skin, such as under the neck, as dry as possible to avoid skin problems.
4. If you suffer from Planter’s Hyperhidrosis (hyperhidrosis that affects the soles of your feet), your feet may develop an unpleasant odor and be prone to secondary skin infections. You can buy absorbent shoe inserts, but replace them often. Avoid wearing the same pair of shoes two days in a row.
5. You will also find that your shoes get damaged quite easily. To prolong their useful life, you should let them dry in the open air.
6. The use of antiperspirants will give you some relief from unpleasant odors. Antiperspirants come in many forms—sprays, sticks, roll-ons, and paints—and they are different from deodorants. The former affects sweat production while the latter just disguises the unpleasant odor. Choose a fragrance-free aluminum salt antiperspirant with an alcohol content of 10-25%. When applying, after showering and just before bed, make sure skin is dry. Wash it off in the morning. Use it for several consecutive nights and then you can reduce it to once or twice a week. If you find that the antiperspirant irritates your skin, you can apply a hydrocortisone cream.
For mild hyperhidrosis, talc and cornstarch powder may be effective. Apply between skin folds and toes to absorb sweat.
