“Hyperhidrosis” is the term for excessive sweating — and if you’ve been struggling with it, you may be secretive about your symptoms. Anxiety and embarrassment are common among individuals with this condition. One reason for this is that the public, loved ones, and even doctors commonly reinforce prevailing myths about hyperhidrosis.
Having the right information at hand is the first (big) step toward getting treatment that will put you back in the driver’s seat of your life.
Here are 10 common myths about hyperhidrosis, plus the truth about each one.
1. Hyperhidrosis Is Just Sweating — It’s Not a Big Deal
We all sweat, so it makes sense that some people sweat more than others, right? That’s true up to a point, but this view diminishes how disruptive hyperhidrosis can be to your life.
“People are told that ‘it’s just sweating,’ but it’s not just sweating,” says Jeffrey Port, MD, a thoracic surgeon who treats people with hyperhidrosis at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City. “It gets to the point where it affects their quality of life.”
For example, people may not go on dates because of it, or they may get stuck in jobs they don’t like because they’re afraid to go on interviews, he says, adding that they may change their shirt four times a day and do their best to avoid stressful situations.
2. No One Else Understands What You’re Going Through
It may feel like you’re alone in dealing with excessive sweating, but there are many people who will understand. The International Hyperhidrosis Society notes that 5 percent of the world’s population, something to the tune of 385 million people, deals with hyperhidrosis.
You may think that hiding it is a struggle, but you probably have friends, acquaintances, or colleagues who likely know what you’re going through too.
3. Excessive Sweating Is Your Fault
Hyperhidrosis is a real medical problem, and studies have found that it is, in part, genetic.
It’s not made up, and it’s not about you sweating a bit more than the average person.
“When I talk to people, they’re just not aware that this is considered a medical condition that can be treated,” says Tonyia Seeland, a physician assistant in plastic surgery at Ann Arbor–based University of Michigan Health who treats people living with hyperhidrosis. “They don’t know who they can talk to or where they can go for help. There’s this thought of, ‘This is how I am, and I have to deal with it.’”
4. Hyperhidrosis Is the Result of Lacking Personal Hygiene
If you have hyperhidrosis, you may perform a lot of rituals to stay clean and dry, including changing your clothes or showering multiple times a day.
One prevailing fear among people with this condition is that other people will think they’re dealing with excessive sweat because their hygiene practices aren’t up to par, says Seeland. Obviously, this is not true. Sweating has nothing to do with how clean your hygiene habits are.
5. If You Just Calm Down, You’ll Stop Sweating so Much
Stress is certainly a trigger for sweat. So, it makes sense that you may be encouraged to practice relaxation techniques to get a handle on your symptoms. However, while stress and anxiety can and do make sweating worse, hyperhidrosis is often out of your control, says Amy Wechsler, MD, a New York City–based board-certified dermatologist. “It’s not just about getting to a cool environment, taking off another layer, or deep breathing,” she adds. “These things will only help a little bit.” Bottom line: Hyperhidrosis is a physical condition — not a psychological one — so while de-stressing is important, it can only take you so far.
6. Antiperspirants Are the Solution for All Cases of Excessive Sweating
Using an antiperspirant, which contains aluminum to plug sweat ducts, is a first-line therapy for hyperhidrosis. (People use these in the areas where they’re sweating, including on their hands.) And trying an easy treatment like antiperspirant first makes complete sense. Some people have mild cases of hyperhidrosis, and topical therapies can control it well. But for more severe hyperhidrosis, an antiperspirant probably won’t cut it.
Dr. Port says you can tell which camp you fall into by considering the degree to which sweating is affecting your life. Do you avoid certain social circumstances, like dating or shaking hands? Do you avoid talking to your boss and taking on assignments? “Patients with severe cases report that hyperhidrosis impacts their basic daily life activities,” he says.
7. The Only Problem in Hyperhidrosis Is Your Sweat Glands
There are two types of hyperhidrosis: primary and secondary.
Primary hyperhidrosis is a medical condition in itself and affects specific body parts, like the hands, feet, underarms, face, or head. Secondary hyperhidrosis, on the other hand, is sweating that’s caused by another medical problem (examples include thyroid disorders like hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, gout, and diabetes) or a medication you’re taking; it shows up in larger areas of the body.
And yet, as one study noted, half of people with hyperhidrosis hadn’t even seen a doctor, often because they didn’t think anything could be done.
“Your first step is to get a good internal medical exam to know if there are underlying reasons for excessive sweating,” says Port.
8. Hyperhidrosis Is a Medical Problem That You Can Fix Yourself
It’s not up to you to figure out what’s causing your excessive sweating or how to treat it. “Many patients are told by friends and family that if they lost weight and went to the gym, they’d be fine, and that’s not true,” Port says. It may be tough to open up to your doctor, but it’s the first step in getting treatment. After an exam, they can refer you to a dermatologist, who may consider options like Botox injections, medications, or surgery.
9. Surgery Is Dangerous and Should Be Avoided as a Hyperhidrosis Treatment
Some people with hyperhidrosis may find success with lifestyle changes and antiperspirants, but if that’s not working, and other treatments aren’t either, you may consider endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy. This minimally invasive surgical procedure involves intercepting the nerves connected to sweat glands. It’s best suited for people who have severe hyperhidrosis, especially in the hands.
There’s a lot of scary info out there about the potential side effects of the procedure, but Port says that many of these complications can be avoided, thanks to the way the procedure is done today. Though doctors don’t recommend surgery as a first-line treatment, it is a viable option. “There is over a 90 percent satisfaction rate for people who get surgery to treat hyperhidrosis on the hands,” Port says.
10. There’s No Helping Hyperhidrosis — You’ll Always Be Like This
There are so many good things in store for you. “When you [treat] a patient’s hyperhidrosis, they become a different person,” says Port. “They talk about taking vacations to hot places like Miami for the first time and wearing dark clothing. They have their confidence back.”
The Takeaway
Hyperhidrosis is a common condition that causes excessive sweating and can greatly impact quality of life.
If you experience excessive sweating, know that it isn’t your fault, or the result of poor hygiene, and the condition can’t be treated with stress-relief tools alone.
Talk to your doctor if you live with hyperhidrosis; treatments are available, including topical antiperspirants, Botox injections, medications, or surgery.
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Ross Radusky, MD, is a practicing board-certified dermatologist at the Dermatology Treatment and Research Center in Dallas. Originally from New York City, he graduated summa cum laude from the City University of New York and then received his MD from the New York University School of Medicine. There, he was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society and served as chapter president for two years. He completed his residency in dermatology at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and Weill Cornell Medical Center, and at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
Dr. Radusky practices general and cosmetic dermatology with a focus on the early detection of skin cancer, and provides patients with a personalized approach to looking their best at any age. He has authored articles and textbook chapters on the clues that our finger- and toenails may provide us about internal disease, as well as on comprehensive therapies for cosmetic dermatology and reversing the signs of skin aging.
Complementing his medical practice, Radusky has a strong passion for the cultural arts, particularly in expanding access to youths and seniors. He previously served as an artist instructor for the Rockaway Artists Alliance, a New York City nonprofit arts and education organization, and then served as both a board director and treasurer of the organization throughout his medical school training.
Radusky enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife Robyn, son Oliver, and poodle Lucy, where he can usually be found preventing photoaging and reducing the risk of skin cancer beneath an umbrella in a wide-brimmed hat. He is also the proud inventor of Sunshotz, the world’s only sunscreen measuring cup, designed to help patients of all ages apply the proper amount of sunscreen needed to enjoy all the sun without the burn.
Jessica Migala is a freelance writer with over 15 years of experience, specializing in health, nutrition, fitness, and beauty. She has written extensively about vision care, diabetes, dermatology, gastrointestinal health, cardiovascular health, cancer, pregnancy, and gynecology. She was previously an assistant editor at Prevention where she wrote monthly science-based beauty news items and feature stories.
She has contributed to more than 40 print and digital publications, including Cosmopolitan, O:The Oprah Magazine, Real Simple, Woman’s Day, Women’s Health, Fitness, Family Circle, Health, Prevention, Self, VICE, and more. Migala lives in the Chicago suburbs with her husband, two young boys, rescue beagle, and 15 fish. When not reporting, she likes running, bike rides, and a glass of wine (in moderation, of course).
