Prior to talking about the different ways to stop excessive underarm sweating, here is a little information about the condition. Medically known as axillary hyperhidrosis, it is said that it affects around three percent of Americans. It may continue for life if left untreated. It goes without saying that the condition is extremely embarrassing. Not only will your clothes be stained, but it can affect your social life.
It can be caused by systemic, metabolic or neurologic disease, but it generally affects people who are in good health. When we become emotional or when the weather is hot, we all sweat. But the person with axillary hyperhidrosis sweats continuously, irrespective of their mood or the weather.
The first attempt to control the problem is to try an over-the-counter antiperspirant containing aluminum chloride. If there is no improvement, a doctor may prescribe a stronger antiperspirant. If this fails, oral medications known as anticholinergics may reduce the amount of sweat.
Iontophoresis is a procedure that has proved effective for more than 50 years. The skin is subjected to an electric current for 10-20 minutes at a time. It is still unknown how and why this procedure works, but it is apparently very successful.
Treatment begins with 2-3 sessions per week. Following these, maintenance sessions are done every 2 weeks or so, according to the patient's response. Although iontophoresis sounds painful, the medical profession says it is not. In some cases, a doctor may prescribe a device to enable the treatment to be done at home.
Other ways to stop excessive underarm sweating are surgery or Botox treatment. Botox is a poison (botulinum toxin) which is injected into each armpit. The beneficial effects last for approximately 6 months. The surgical procedure is far more invasive - it requires nerves in the armpit region to be destroyed. While it is successful, this surgery may involve complications.
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