Treatments For Hyperhidrosis - Clinical Methods

Hyperhidrosis is a medical term for excessive sweating. This problem generally happens in the underarms, feet, face and hands. With the advancement in the medical knowledge there are a lot of treatments for hyperhidrosis available. Some of the treatments provide temporary relief and some permanent. Deodorants or antiperspirants are topical treatments that provide relief for the mild to moderate hyperhidrosis. The sweat glands are blocked and therefore it provides a momentary relief. The treatment has to be used daily. Antiperspirants containing aluminum chloride hexahydrate are the most effective ones.

Botox or botulinum toxin injections also provide relief. These injections paralyze the nerves motivating sweat glands. 15-20 injections have to be taken within 7-16 months. This therapy stops excess sweating for 4-6 months, so the therapy actually provides temporary relief and has to be repeated. Iontophoresis is a treatment that provisionally shocks the sweat glands by shocking them with low electric current. If possible the affected area is dipped in an electrolyte solution and electric current is applied. This therapy requires a prescription, the process itself takes about 15-30 minutes and lasts 10 days.

Liposuction can also be used to remove the fat and some nerves controlling sweat production from the armpits. The procedure takes place under local anesthesia. This is one of very effective, but expensive treatments for hyperhidrosis which provides very little marks afterwards. ETS or Endoscoptic Thoracis Sympathectomy is a process used for treating hands and underarm hyperhidrosis. This therapy is carried out under local anesthesia, the surgeon cuts or destroys the nerve paths leading to the sweat glands. There is no sweating from the area permanently if the surgery is successful.