Excessive sweating, also called hyperhidrosis, doesn’t just mean using an extra-strength antiperspirant in the morning: It’s a health condition that affects people physically, mentally, and even financially. Hyperhidrosis can occur on its own, develop as a symptom of another medical condition, or arise as a side effect of a medication or treatment.
“Hyperhidrosis can be socially stigmatizing. Many patients feel very alone,” says Amy Wechsler, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and psychiatrist in New York City. In the United States, about 16.4 million people have hyperhidrosis — that’s about 4.8 percent of the population.
It’s important to see your doctor if you experience excessive sweating, because proper treatment requires identifying the specific cause. There are a variety of treatments for hyperhidrosis, including topical antiperspirants, botulinum toxin A injections (Botox, Dysport), and surgical options. Self-care is also crucial when you’re dealing with a condition that can affect you as deeply as hyperhidrosis does. These tips can help.
What You Need to Know About Excessive Sweating
Explore hyperhidrosis, a condition that causes excessive sweating.
Next up video playing in 10 seconds
1. Listen to an Audiobook and Be Transported to Another Reality
One study found that more than 40 percent of people with hyperhidrosis avoided certain daily activities or hobbies, including reading books. Some participants reported avoiding print materials due to the difficulty of handling sweat-soaked pages. To get your literature fix, listen to an audiobook; subscription services allow you to listen to a variety of books for a flat monthly fee. Or check out your local public library’s offerings.
2. Hire a Cleaning Service to Tidy Up Your Living Space
Another area that people with hyperhidrosis frequently express angst about, according to the same study, is cleaning.A third of participants reported issues with cleaning, citing the excessive sweating that starts as soon as they begin strenuous activity. For many households, hiring a cleaning service is simply not in the budget, but if there’s room in yours, consider using one to make things easier for yourself.
3. Treat Yourself to a Shopping Spree for New Sweat-Friendly Clothes
If you have hyperhidrosis, you likely change clothes more than once a day. A new cotton shirt — one that feels impossibly soft — might be the retail therapy you need. Natural fabrics like cotton allow skin to breathe and may help you stay cool. The opposite is true if you’re dealing with sweaty feet: Cotton socks trap sweat and often cause blisters, so it’s best to buy pairs made of moisture-wicking natural or acrylic fiber blends. Carry an extra pair with you and you’ll feel better having a backup.
4. Give Your Sleep Routine a Makeover to Snooze More Soundly
Staying cool and dry while you sleep will go a long way to ensure you get the rest you need to feel refreshed in the morning. Moisture-wicking sleepwear and sheets, plus cooling mattress pads, can help. Make sure there’s adequate airflow in your bedroom, and adjust your bedding so you can remove layers as needed during the night.
5. Don’t Forget to Be Kind to Yourself
Most participants in one quality-of-life study reported that hyperhidrosis majorly diminished their self-image and self-confidence. To counter this, try to focus on activities that increase your comfort levels, foster a sense of self-compassion, and reduce stress.
For instance, maybe you’re interested in yoga. If going to a studio for a class is beyond your comfort level, consider a gentle yoga video or a live-streamed class at home. Yoga With Adriene is one of many YouTube channels that offer free videos with full routines.
6. Make the Time You Spend in the Shower, and When You Get Out, Special
You might take more than one shower a day to control sweat. Regular bathing with lukewarm water (and antibacterial soap, if you feel it helps control odor) is important, as is drying yourself thoroughly. Make the event feel a little bit special by trading in a thin, scratchy old towel for a luxuriously fluffy new one.
7. Get Help to Better Manage Your Symptoms of Hyperhidrosis
You can change up your lifestyle to avoid situations where sweating is likely to happen, or choose to still do the things you love despite your sweat. But the most powerful way to show yourself some love is to seek treatment. Nearly half of people dealing with excessive sweating waited 10 or more years to talk to a healthcare professional about it, and 85 percent waited at least 3 years, research has shown.
You don’t have to deal with the condition by yourself. “People don’t want to bring it up to their [primary care physician], never thought to, or don’t think they can,” says Tonyia Seeland, a physician assistant in plastic surgery at University of Michigan Health in Ann Arbor who treats people with hyperhidrosis. “However, the biggest message I have for people is that you should talk to your doctor. There are treatments that work. There is hope. You’re not alone.”
The Takeaway
Hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating, is a health condition that can occur on its own, develop as a symptom of another health issue, or emerge as a side effect of a medication or treatment.
There are a number of effective treatments for hyperhidrosis; see your doctor to pinpoint the cause and find a regimen that works for you.
People with hyperhidrosis report that it negatively affects their social life, mental and emotional health, and even their productivity at work.
While seeking therapy can be crucial for dealing with hyperhidrosis, there are also a variety of self-care tactics you can adopt to help practice self-compassion and improve your quality of life.
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.
Kamudoni P et al. The Impact of Hyperhidrosis on Patients' Daily Life and Quality of Life: a Qualitative Investigation. Health and Quality of Life Outcomes. June 8, 2017.
Glaser DA et al. Understanding patient experience with hyperhidrosis: A national survey of 1,985 patients. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. April 2018.
Blair Murphy-Rose, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in New York City and the founder of Skincare Junkie. She is an accomplished cosmetic, medical, and surgical dermatologist, specializing in leading-edge facial rejuvenation techniques, including injectable fillers and botulinum toxin injections, advanced laser procedures, noninvasive body contouring, and removing lumps and bumps with precision. She is an expert in the treatment and detection of medical conditions, including skin cancer, acne, rosacea, eczema, and psoriasis. Dr. Rose believes in a comprehensive approach to skin health and incorporating a skin-care routine tailored specifically for each individual and utilizing a wide array of tools to target specific skin concerns.
Rose has been published in peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, Dermatology Surgery, and Pediatric Dermatology, and has been featured in numerous publications, including Vogue, Elle, Allure, Cosmopolitan, Self, Women’s Health, The Wall Street Journal, and The New York Times.
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).
