How to Handle Hyperhidrosis in the Fall

With the leaves turning orange and the weather cooling down, your body begins to adapt to the changes from summer and starts preparing for winter. We all know that you sweat more in the summer due to the sun, so naturally, in the fall, your body starts to cool down. But did you know that sweating is one of the ways your body cools? However, some of us tend to sweat much more than others. We’re talking about hyperhidrosis. Having hyperhidrosis symptoms can be a challenging task to manage. It could be especially difficult to control in the fall. Not to worry, though. We’ll explain how to handle hyperhidrosis in the fall like a pro.

What Is Hyperhidrosis?

It is a common misconception that people with hyperhidrosis have more sweat glands. This assumption is false. Hyperhidrosis is a condition associated with sweating excessively with or without heat. The body’s nerves trigger the sweat glands to release excessive sweat. It often soaks through your clothes and drips from your palms and feet. This condition can be frustrating and cause a lot of embarrassment as well as have you staring at the business end of social anxiety.

Hyperhidrosis symptoms can manifest because of depression, anxiety, hormonal changes, stress, and more. Illnesses such as low blood sugar, diabetes, hypertension, cancers, menopause, and certain infections can also be causes for excessive sweating. A proper plan on how to stop sweating so much is needed to manage this condition that may happen at any time of the year.

Treating Hyperhidrosis

There are several ways to manage hyperhidrosis. Here are just a few:

Botulinum Toxin Inoculations

Botulinum toxin A and B (aka Botox) is a commonly used treatment for central hyperhidrosis. Botox injections employ botulinum toxins to suppress the production of excessive sweat and can last for five to eight months before the regeneration of the nerves occurs, after which a repeat procedure will be required. Although effective, the side effects can be temporary minimal muscle weakness in the area receiving treatment and pain at the injection site.

Antiperspirants

This is the most affordable over-the-counter hyperhidrosis treatment that any expert would prescribe immediately. These special antiperspirants are applied directly on the skin of the hairline, feet, underarms, and hands. They come as talcum powders, roll-ons, and aerosol sprays. When they sit on the skin, sweat pulls the antiperspirant in, thus plugging the sweat-producing glands. However, they may cause a burning sensation on the skin and other skin irritations such as acne.

Surgery

Surgery for hyperhidrosis is also one of the most effective ways to treat the condition. Sympathectomy is a surgery performed in the operating room under general anesthesia. During the operation, the surgeon destroys a few nerves that send sweat signals to the sweat glands. This reduces the amount of sweat being produced.

Lifestyle Remedies

Amending some of the ways you live your day-to-day life could help manage hyperhidrosis. Steps such as bathing daily can keep your pores clean and unclogged. Using water-based moisturizers can also go a long way in keeping your skin healthy yet unclogged. Getting shoes and socks with more natural materials as opposed to synthetic materials can help your skin breathe and limit the chances of sweating. This works well if you also change your clothes to natural materials too such as silk, wool, or cotton. These fabrics can keep you warm in the chilly months of fall without trapping your skin under layers of suffocating materials. Relaxing exercises such as meditation and yoga can even help calm you down and minimize the sweat you produce.

If you’re in the Cincinnati, Ohio area, then our experts at The Dermatology Group are here to offer you advice, resources, and any treatment options to help you manage your hyperhidrosis. Give us a call today!