Do you ever feel like you sweat more than others, especially in your hands, feet, or underarms? While sometimes sweating is a good thing (it helps the body release toxins, maintains body temperature, and assists in metabolism), excessive perspiration can get in the way of living your daily life to the fullest.
If you’ve ever experienced embarrassing sweat stains, ruined romantic encounters, and complicated social interactions, you’re probably wondering how to stop excessive perspiration. But before you can stop excessive sweating, it’s important to know what’s causing the issue in the first place. Have you ever considered hyperhidrosis?
Typical situations like hot weather, strenuous exercise, or mood swings can leave you feeling clammy and extra sweaty, which is a natural response. Hyperhidrosis is a condition that causes excessive sweating, regardless of a person’s mood or the weather. The underlying cause of your excessive perspiration depends on which type of hyperhidrosis you have.
What is Hyperhidrosis?
Hyperhidrosis is abnormally excessive sweating that's not necessarily related to heat or exercise. With hyperhidrosis, you may begin to sweat uncontrollably for no apparent reason.
It may affect the whole body or just specific areas like the hands, underarms, or soles of the feet. The sweat can become so extreme to the point where your clothes are wet, or sweat droplets fall from your hands.
There are two types of hyperhidrosis: Primary Focal Hyperhidrosis & Secondary Generalized Hyperhidrosis. Understanding which type you have can help find a long-term solution to stop excessive sweating.
Primary Focal (Essential) Hyperhidrosis
This is the most common type of hyperhidrosis. It usually starts in childhood or adolescence. The nerves that signal the body’s sweat glands will become overactive for no apparent reason. The nerves can produce an excessive amount of sweat regardless of physical activity or a temperature rise. Stress, anxiety, and nervousness often make the problem worse.
With this type, sweating mainly happens in the feet, hands, head, and underarms. Although some experts believe it may be hereditary, there isn’t a definite medical cause for this type.
Secondary Generalized Hyperhidrosis
Secondary hyperhidrosis is caused by a medical condition or a specific medication’s side effect to treat a medical condition. This is the less common type, and people will often experience excessive perspiration all over the body. Secondary hyperhidrosis generally starts in adulthood.
If you’re unsure if you have secondary hyperhidrosis, it’s important to consult with your doctor to learn more about your specific case.
Below are some common conditions that are known to lead to heavy sweating:
- Diabetes
- Menopause (Hot Flashes)
- Heart Disease
- Stroke
- Hyperthyroidism
- Low blood sugar
- Certain Cancers
- Heart Attack
- Lung Disease
- Nervous System Disorders
- Infections
Who is Affected by Hyperhidrosis?
Hyperhidrosis can affect both men and women. Studies have shown that around 4.8% of Americans (15.3 million individuals) suffer from some form of excessive sweating of the underarms (axillary hyperhidrosis) or the palms and soles of the feet (palmoplantar hyperhidrosis) or both. Excessive perspiration issues can have a severe impact on your social life and personal life. Hyperhidrosis doesn’t discriminate against age or sex. Anyone, regardless of their previous medical history, may develop hyperhidrosis at different stages in life.
Some healthcare professionals may even underestimate what someone with the condition experiences daily. Multiple showers, changing clothes, poop social lives, difficulty opening doors, and depression and anxiety are common side effects of living with hyperhidrosis. We must normalize seeking treatment for excessive sweating.
How is Hyperhidrosis Diagnosed?
On your journey to stop excessive sweating, it’s always a good idea to consult with your doctor. Your physician will ask questions about your medical history and symptoms. In most cases, the doctor will do a physical exam and lab work (blood & urine tests) to determine if you have hyperhidrosis. The lab tests rule out other medical conditions, like an overactive thyroid or low blood sugar. Your doctor may also order a starch-iodine test to determine if you have excessive sweating.
Is Excessive Sweating Dangerous?
Some hyperhidrosis complications can include skin infections, wars, dermatophytes, psoriasis, or acne. However, most report the worst symptoms are the social and emotional effects. Although not physically dangerous, living with this condition can be embarrassing, depressing, and discouraging.
How to Stop Excessive Perspiration
If you suffer from hyperhidrosis, you’ve probably already done a quick online search or two (or three) seeking information on how to stop excessive sweating. It’s only natural you’ll want to find a solution, especially if you’re experiencing adverse emotional complications. Keep in mind you’re not alone; studies show that patients with hyperhidrosis are 3x more likely to experience depression and anxiety than those without the condition.
If you’re tired of feeling like you’ve tried everything to stop excessive sweating from an antiperspirant containing aluminum chloride, prescription creams, or even nerve-blocking medications, going a more natural route may be the best option for you. Heavy-duty antiperspirants are often packed with not-so-great-for-you ingredients like Tricolisan, Synthetic Fragrances, Parabens, and Phthalates. As mentioned above, sweating is normal, but no one wants constantly soaked clothes and clammy hands. These harsher treatment methods may temporarily stop excessive sweating, but the long-term effects are something to think about.
Primary focal hyperhidrosis is a treatable condition. It’s all about finding what works for your body. An all-natural or more holistic approach to treating hyperhidrosis can help you stop worrying about whether or not your armpit stains are noticeable and start focusing your life. To reduce hyperhidrosis and the excessive sweating that comes with it, we’d like you to consider HUMI DRY, a 99% organic oil that is soothing to your skin but
