Hyperhidrosis is a health condition that causes a person to sweat as much as four to five times more than the average person. This guide goes into detail about what hyperhidrosis is, the impact of it, and the treatment of it.

1. OTHER THINGS YOU CAN DO TO
DECREASE SWEAT
Diet & Lifestyle
• Avoid hot peppers as they will increase sweating.
• Avoid raw onions and excess garlic as they can add a more pungent smell to sweat.
• Avoid deep fried, fatty and processed foods.
• Start a low carb diet.
• Avoid caffeine; it stimulates your central nervous system, which activates sweat glands.
• Drink 13 cups of water a day to stay hydrated. You will keep cool and avoid dehydration,
which makes you sweat more.
• Poor digestion increases sweating so eat more digestive friendly foods such as celery,
spinach, cucumbers, watermelon, lettuce, olive oil, bell peppers, and grapefruit.
• Add Vitamin B supplements to your diet to assist the function of your vital systems
and organs.
• Drink wheatgrass juice daily to help control sweat triggers.
• Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol as they can increase sweating.
• Choose a low-sodium diet as the more salt you eat, the more you sweat it out.
DRESS SMART
• Wear sweat-proof clothing, such as undershirts and boxer briefs, to stop sweat marks from
reaching your clothes.
• Bright-colored and medium-toned clothing to help draw less attention to sweat.
• Polyester and acrylic fabrics as they do not breathe and will increase sweating potential.
• Instead, choose:
- Dark-colored clothing, so sweat and stains become far less noticeable.
- Distracting patterns because they can also tone down sweat marks.
- Lighter, breathable fabrics that will help provide ventilation to keep you cool.
- Natural fabrics like cotton and moisture-wicking fabrics as they will help keep you cool.
The Ultimate Guide to
HYPERHIDROSIS
Everyone sweats. It’s a natural bodily function. However, if you find yourself
dripping with sweat for no apparent reason, there’s a good chance you could
have Hyperhidrosis (HH). Excessive sweating is a health condition that
impacts 4% to 5% of the population, causing them to sweat as
much as four to five times more than the average person.
WHAT IS HYPERHIDROSIS?
Excessive sweating will fall into one of two categories:
IMPACT OF EXCESSIVE SWEAT
Sweat and Odor
Eccrine glands usually produce odorless, watery sweat, but when it
comes into contact with bacteria commonly found on the surface of
the skin, sweat can create smells. If you have primary hyperhidrosis,
you probably don’t suffer from the additional challenge of stronger body odor. The watery
consistency produced by the eccrine glands helps to wash away odor-causing bacteria.
However, if you allow the sweat to dry on your skin, this can produce unpleasant odors.
PRIMARY FOCAL
HYPERHIDROSIS:
Excessive sweating occurs in “focal” areas of the
body, such as the hands, feet, underarms, face,
or head. It causes equal sweating on both sides
of the body. Most people will have more than
one area of the body affected, such as both
their hands and feet. This condition appears
during childhood or adolescence and is often
hereditary. Sweating rarely occurs during sleep.
SECONDARY GENERALIZED
HYPERHIDROSIS:
Excessive sweating is either a symptom
of another medical condition or side
effect of medications to be secondary
hyperhidrosis. The sweating is over the
entire body, not just specific areas. Unlike
primary HH, you can experience night
sweats and will have developed excessive
sweating in adulthood.
TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR HYPERHIDROSIS
• PRESCRIPTION HYPERHIDROSIS
ANTIPERSPIRANTS:
Options such as Drysol contain up to
20% aluminum chloride (with at least
14% recommended). Apply carefully
at night and wash off in the morning
to allow enough time for the active
ingredient to work. Price varies, but on
average, it’s about $22.
• PRESCRIPTION CREAMS:
Glycopyrrolate lotion is prescribed for
those with head and face sweating
issues. Pricing varies based on the
prescription provided.
• ANTICHOLINERGIC DRUGS
(NERVE-BLOCKING MEDICATIONS):
These oral medications are used to block
the chemicals that lead to sweating. They
are effective but can have side effects
such as dry mouth, heart palpitations,
blurred vision, and bladder issues. To
avoid side effects, you can limit the use
and only take it prior to major events.
Pricing varies based on the product and
dosage required.
• ANTIDEPRESSANTS:
This medication will not only decrease
sweating but can also reduce anxiety
caused by HH. Options and prices are
varied, so consult your physician.
• BOTULINUM TOXIN
(BOTOX) INJECTIONS:
This treatment can last up to 12 months.
It can be painful, even when your skin
is anesthetized, and can also cause
temporary muscle weakness. For both
underarms, treatment costs around
$1000, and it will vary based on the area
of the body.
• MIRADRY (MICROWAVE THERAPY):
miraDry uses electromagnetic energy to
“zap” sweat glands, which basically kills
them. This is a permanent and painful
procedure. However, it can reduce armpit
sweat by 83%. So, it might be something
you’re willing to endure. Therapy requires
sessions every three months and can
cause discomfort and changes to your
skin’s sensation. It is also less readily
available and can be quite expensive at
$2500 to $4500.
• CURETTAGE:
This surgical procedure removes sweat
glands from your armpits by first
scraping and then sucking them out. It
costs between $4000 to $7000.
• NERVE SURGERY (SYMPATHECTOMY):
This procedure is for sweaty palms
and involves the cutting, burning, or
clamping of spinal nerves. It can lead to
“compensatory sweating,” meaning it
moves the sweating to another area of
your body. It is a complicated treatment
as it destroys nerve endings. Pricing
varies based on the area treated.
• LIPOSUCTION:
A fat removal procedure performed on
underarms that costs $3500.
• ENDOSCOPIC THORACIC
SYMPATHECTOMY (ETS) SURGERY:
ETS is only used for severe cases of
sweaty palms as it can cause permanent
damage and compensatory sweating.
Price ranges from $10,000 to $25,000.
• IONTOPHORESIS/IONTODERMA:
This treatment blocks sweat from
reaching the skin’s surface by applying
a low electrical current to hands and
feet when submerged in water. Each
treatment takes about 20 minutes and
is performed a few times a week. This
treatment can stop sweating, but it often
requires maintenance appointments to
keep sweating from reoccurring. You can
even purchase a machine for home use
for about $399.
Hyperhidrosis
Medications
Hyperhidrosis Surgery
& Medical Procedures
www.ejisinc.com
*This is not medical advice. You should discuss your symptoms and treatment options with your doctor.
SWEAT-PROOF BASICS