Non surgical methods of tackling hyperhidrosis

Hyperhidrosis is a condition that affects around 1% of the population in the UK, and it is where sweat glands work overzealously, causing excessive sweating. This condition can be embarrassing and can have a detrimental effect on self esteem. It is also one of those unfortunate cyclical conditions, whereby worrying about it can make the condition even worse.

According to NHS choices, this condition can affect your whole body (although this is rare) but more often it will affect areas such as your under arms, palms of your hands, soles of your feet, face and chest, and your groin.

The good news is that there are things that can be done to target this problem. At his surgery Mr Alan Park offers solutions such as Botox injections which can help paralyse the part of the nervous system that is causing excess sweating to occur. However, if you’re not ready to consider seeing an expert yet, there are some handy hints and tips that can help you control the condition.

Learn the triggers and avoid them

Individuals will find that there are certain things that trigger hyperhidrosis, so the first step is to try and remove yourself from exposure to these. Stressful situations, eating spicy food and drinking alcohol have all been linked with hyperhidrosis, so if these are triggers for you, try to avoid them as much as you can.

Dress appropriately for hyperhidrosis

There are some fabrics that are more accommodating than others, so try wearing loose-fitting, cotton clothing. Avoiding man made fabrics (like nylon) is also helpful, as these are less breathable than natural alternatives. The colour of your clothes can also make a difference. Avoid colours that show wet stains such as bold primary colours, and opt for colours such as black and white, as these can help mask any leaks.

Use an antiperspirant

It is important to understand the difference between ‘deodorant’ and ‘antiperspirant’. Deodorant is purely designed to mask odours, whereas the components in an antiperspirant are designed to help reduce sweat. If you’re suffering with hyperhidrosis then you’ll probably find that normal antiperspirants are not effective enough to keep you dry, however there are stronger alternatives (brands such as Anhydrol and Driclor – both of which contain aluminium chloride as their active ingredient) that are available – although you will often have to ask a pharmacist for these.