Excessive sweating, a condition medically known as hyperhidrosis, can be more than just a nuisance – it can be disruptive to your daily life.
From damp palms to sweat-stained clothes, the effects of excessive sweating can be profound.
Fortunately, understanding the causes and available treatment options can help you deal with this common (and often overlooked) issue.
Let’s take a look at the underlying reasons behind excessive sweating and treatments that can provide much-needed relief:
What Causes Excessive Sweating?
Excessive sweating is a medical issue called hyperhidrosis, and it can be caused by a number of factors and conditions:
Genetics
Genetics can predispose individuals to excessive sweating. For example, if there’s a family history of excessive sweating, this condition can be inherited. Specific genetic mutations can impact how the sweat glands function and lead to excessive perspiration.
Hormones
Changes in hormonal levels can trigger excessive sweating. These changes can happen during puberty, menopause, or pregnancy. Hormonal imbalances can affect the body’s ability to regulate temperature, which can increase sweating.
Stress
Emotional stress and anxiety can cause overactivity in the sweat glands, resulting in excessive sweating – particularly in areas like the palms, feet, and underarms. The body’s response to stress can make sweating worse even if the body isn’t overheated.
Medical Conditions
Lastly, certain medical conditions can cause hyperhidrosis. These conditions include diabetes, thyroid disorders, or infections. Neurological disorders can also disrupt the body’s ability to regulate sweat production.
Excessive sweating can also be a side effect of certain medications. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist to see if this is causing your increased sweating.
What Kind of Medical Professional Treats Excessive Sweating?
Diagnosing and treating excessive sweating often involves collaboration between different healthcare professionals.
General practitioners can perform initial evaluations and refer patients to specialists, such as dermatologists or endocrinologists, depending on the suspected cause of hyperhidrosis.
Dermatologists are specialists who can diagnose and treat skin conditions, including hyperhidrosis. They can offer a range of excessive sweating treatment options, from prescription medications to minimally invasive procedures.
Endocrinologists focus on hormonal imbalances and can help manage hyperhidrosis caused by hormonal changes or underlying endocrine disorders.
At Beauty Rewind, we have Nurse Practitioners on staff, and within the current scope of practice, a Nurse Practitioner is trained and able to do everything that a General Practitioner, an Endocrinologist, and a Dermatologist can do.
Nurse Practitioners at Beauty Rewind can diagnose, prescribe, treat and even perform minimally invasive procedures from the comfort of our clinics in Edmonton and Sherwood Park. Quality care right at Beauty Rewind.
Can Excessive Sweating Be Treated?
Of course! Excessive sweating can be effectively managed through different treatment approaches based on your unique needs:
Lifestyle Changes and Home Remedies
Simple lifestyle changes can often help reduce excessive sweating:
- Wearing Breathable Fabrics: Wear loose-fitting, breathable clothes made from natural fibers like cotton to allow better air circulation and minimize sweat.
- Avoiding Trigger Foods: Spicy foods, caffeine, and alcohol can worsen sweating in some individuals. Avoiding these triggers or cutting down on their consumption may help alleviate symptoms.
- Maintaining a Healthy Weight: Excess weight can increase sweating. Regular exercise and a balanced diet may help reduce sweating.
- Stress Management: Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or yoga can help reduce stress levels and decrease excessive sweating triggered by emotional stress.
Special Antiperspirants
Prescription-strength antiperspirants containing aluminum chloride are often recommended for managing hyperhidrosis.
Aluminum chloride antiperspirants work by blocking sweat ducts, thereby reducing sweat production in the treated areas. They are typically applied at bedtime to dry skin and washed off in the morning.
Over-the-counter (OTC) clinical-strength antiperspirants are also available, offering higher concentrations of active ingredients than regular antiperspirants.
Non-Invasive Medical Treatments
There are also non-invasive medical treatments that can help reduce excessive sweating, such as:
- Iontophoresis: This procedure involves passing a mild electric current through the skin, usually to the hands or feet immersed in water. The electric current temporarily blocks sweat gland activity, providing relief from excessive sweating with regular treatments.
- Botulinum Toxin (Botox) Injections: Botulinum toxin injections can effectively reduce sweating by temporarily blocking the release of the neurotransmitter responsible for activating sweat glands. This treatment is commonly used for focal hyperhidrosis, particularly in the underarms, palms, and soles of the feet.
- Oral Medications: In some cases, oral medications such as anticholinergics may help reduce sweating by blocking the signals that activate sweat glands.
- miraDry: miraDry is a non-invasive procedure that uses thermal energy to selectively target and eliminate sweat glands in the underarm area. This treatment provides a long-lasting reduction in underarm sweating with minimal downtime.
These treatment options offer effective ways to manage excessive sweating. They can improve the quality of life for those living with hyperhidrosis.
However, it’s important to consult with a healthcare professional who can help determine the best treatment approach based on your needs and preferences.
What is miraDry?
miraDry is a cutting-edge non-invasive treatment we use at Beauty Rewind for excessive underarm sweating. This procedure uses advanced thermal technology to target and eliminate sweat glands in the underarm region, effectively reducing sweat production.
Using a handheld device, miraDry emits controlled thermal energy to heat and destroy the sweat glands while cooling the skin’s surface to prevent any damage to surrounding tissues.
This FDA and Health Canada-approved procedure typically takes about one to two hours to complete, offering a quick and convenient solution for those seeking relief from excessive sweating.
Most patients can go back to their regular activities immediately after the treatment due to its minimal downtime.
The results of miraDry are long-lasting, with many patients experiencing a significant reduction in sweat production after just one session!
Excessive Sweating in Edmonton – We Can Help!
Excessive sweating, though challenging, is not a condition anyone needs to accept silently.
By understanding its causes and exploring the array of treatment options available, individuals can regain control over their lives and confidence in their daily interactions.
Whether through simple lifestyle adjustments, specialized antiperspirants, or innovative procedures like miraDry, relief is within reach.
If you’re ready to take the next step toward managing your excessive sweating, Beauty Rewind can help.
Our experienced professionals can provide personalized guidance and treatment plans tailored to your specific needs.
Don’t let excessive sweating hold you back any longer—reach out to us today to schedule a consultation and start your journey towards a drier, more comfortable tomorrow!
