Excessive sweating, also known as Hyperhidrosis, is a health condition characterized by abnormal levels of perspiration. One of the most common occurrences of Hyperhidrosis is armpit sweat. While its normal for everyone to sweat at the gym, on the basketball court, or even on a hot, summer day, people with excessive armpit sweat often sweat when there’s no need to and thus, feel embarrassed. Many sufferers report that they specifically avoid social situations because of their sweating, while others are unable to start or sustain a romantic relationship because of their condition. Although there is no “cure” for Hyperhidrosis, there are a number of treatment options to help curb the effects.
The least expensive treatment option is antiperspirant. Regular antiperspirants contain aluminum chloride which combines with electrolytes in sweat to plug up the sweat gland and lessen the production of perspiration. People with excessive armpit sweat should try antiperspirants with higher levels of aluminum chloride but should be careful as skin irritation is a primary side effect. Additionally, many people have found that antiperspirant is not a fix-all solution.
Other temporary treatments include using Talc (baby powder) or baking soda on the affected area as it will absorb the perspiration. While this works for some people, its not very popular as it can be messy and simply replace shirt stains with white paste marks.
Largely more expensive than antiperspirant is Botox treatment. Besides smoothing worry lines and crow’s feet, Botox injections can be used to disable the sweat glands. While the procedure has been approved by the FDA and is effective in limiting sweat production, the injections only tend to work for about four to nine months. Thus, sufferers will need to frequently visit their doctor for consistent injections. Botox is also a costly procedure and some insurance providers will not cover the cost.
The most expensive treatment is surgery. Previously, surgery to stop excessive armpit sweating included skin extraction at the area. This treatment was somewhat effective (not 100% in all cases), but the side effects included a difficult recovery time, scarring of the area, and possible restricted movement. A newer version of the surgery replaces the skin extraction with smaller incisions. This version has the same success rate but has a faster and easier recovery time and minimal scarring. Unfortunately, none of the surgery treatments are 100% guaranteed to stop Hyperhidrosis.
Additionally, sufferers should be aware that not all insurance covers Hyperhidrosis treatments. As Hyperhidrosis is not considered a medical condition by some insurance providers, treatments, especially surgical procedures, are not considered necessary to the health of the individual.
Excessive armpit sweating can be a devastating health condition for sufferers. As the treatment options vary widely in cost and effectiveness, sufferers should try different treatments. Sufferers should also speak with their doctor about additional options, as a medical professional can diagnose the intensity of Hyperhidrosis and prescribe treatments accordingly.
