Best Treatments for Sweaty Everywhere (Generalized Hyperhidrosis)

Excessive sweating of the entire body, also known as generalized hyperhidrosis, negatively impacts your quality of life because it impairs self-confidence and your ability to function normally. This type of sweating occurs when you are not hot or active. For more information on hyperhidrosis, check out our comprehensive overview of hyperhidrosis in our Hyperhidrosis Treatment Guide.

Treatments range from prescription-strength antiperspirants to glycopyrrolate tablets to methenamine cream.

The overwhelming majority of patients can be effectively managed online by Undefined Health without the need for in-person medical evaluations or expensive in-person treatments such as botulinum toxin injections, microwave therapy, or surgery (endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy).

Key Facts About Sweating Everywhere

  • Excessive sweating across large areas of the body may be called generalized hyperhidrosis.
  • People with generalized sweating may sweat even when they are not hot or physically active.
  • Unlike focal hyperhidrosis, which affects one area such as the hands or underarms, generalized sweating can involve multiple body regions at the same time.
  • Commonly affected areas may include the face, scalp, back, chest, groin, legs, and feet.
  • Sweat itself is mostly odorless, but widespread moisture can increase body odor when sweat interacts with bacteria on the skin.
  • Whole-body sweating can interfere with clothing, sleep, work, exercise, and daily confidence.
  • Generalized sweating may sometimes be linked to medications, hormonal changes, infections, or other medical conditions.
  • Effective treatment options are available, but persistent or sudden widespread sweating should be evaluated by a healthcare provider.

  • What Causes Excessive Whole Body Sweating?

    Sweating is a normal and essential body function, but sweating beyond the amount needed to maintain body temperature is not. The exact pathophysiology of hyperhidrosis is not known, but the following all may play a role:

    • Overactive nerves - the nerves that activate sweat glands are overly sensitive to chemicals in your body
    • Stress - anxiety, nervousness, excitement, or anything else that activates the "fight-or-flight" response can be a trigger
    • Heat, exercise, and environmental factors - some people sweat more than is required in response to "normal" triggers of sweat
    • Medications or medical conditions - sweating may be a side effect of a medication or a consequence of another medical condition, which is why it is important to manage sweat with a healthcare team familiar with hyperhidrosis

Treatment Options for Sweaty Everywhere (Generalized Hyperhidrosis)

Fortunately, there are many safe and effective treatments for managing sweaty everywhere (generalized hyperhidrosis)

  • Image of man holding glycopyrrolate tablets used to treat hyperhidrosis in his hand

    Glycopyrrolate Tablets

    Convenient oral medication that treats sweaty everywhere (generalized hyperhidrosis). For patients who sweat in multiple body areas, glycopyrrolate tablets work over the whole body.

    Buy Glycopyrrolate Tablets
  •

    Prescription Antiperspirants

    Made with 20% aluminum chloride (only available with a prescription), antiperspirants create a temporary blockage of the sweat glands to treat sweaty everywhere (generalized hyperhidrosis).

    Buy Prescription Antiperspirant
  • Person applying prescription strength antiperspirant to their feet to treat plantar hyperhidrosis

    Methenamine Cream

    Aluminum-free cream with 13% methenamine treats sweaty everywhere (generalized hyperhidrosis). For the person who swears they have tried "everything," this product is truly unique.

    Buy Methenamine Cream

Products for Whole Body Sweat (Generalized Hyperhidrosis)

Explore our products to treat sweaty everywhere, which are designed and dosed using evidence-based medicine.

Frequently Asked Questions About Generalized Hyperhidrosis

The healthcare team at Undefined Health has decades of combined experience in treating generalized hyperhidrosis.

Why am I excessively sweating everywhere?

Most people have idiopathic hyperhidrosis, which means that the cause of the sweating is unknown. In some people, particularly those with generalized hyperhidrosis, the sweating may be a side effect to a medication that you are taking or a symptom of another medical condition.

How do I treat excessive sweating over my whole body?

Antiperspirants are typically first-line treatment for hyperhidrosis, but when sweating is over multiple body areas, it is not realistic to apply antiperspirants to your whole body. Thus, an oral medication like glycopyrrolate tablets, is the best option because they treat sweat over the entire body.

There still may be a place for prescription-strength antiperspirants or methenamine cream, but they should be limited to the most problematic areas.

Can I cure hyperhidrosis?

Except for endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy surgery, which carries many significant risks, there are no cures for hyperhidrosis. Fortunately, there are many safe and effective treatments available, the best of which for treating whole body sweating is glycopyrrolate tablets.

Can I treat hyperhidrosis online?

Yes, most cases of hyperhidrosis, even severe cases, can be managed effectively online. The doctors and pharmacists at Undefined Health are experts at treating hyperhidrosis, including generalized hyperhidrosis.

  • When to Seek Medical Treatment

    Occasional whole body sweating is common, especially during heat, exercise, or stressful situations. However, persistent or severe sweating of the whole body may warrant medical evaluation and prescription-based treatment, particularly if it interferes with daily activities or quality of life.

    You should consider speaking with a doctor if your whole body sweating:

    • Occurs frequently without obvious triggers such as heat or physical activity
    • Interferes with work, school, social interactions, or routine tasks
    • Causes skin problems such as irritation, peeling, infections, or persistent moisture damage
    • Is severe

Related Resources from Undefined Health

Comprehensive Hyperhidrosis Overview

Glycopyrrolate for Hyperhidrosis Guide

Prescription-Strength Antiperspirants Review

Iontophoresis Device for Hyperhidrosis

Medical References & Sources

  1. International Hyperhidrosis Society. Generalized Hyperhidrosis (Excessive Sweating of the Whole Body). https://www.sweathelp.org/where-do-you-sweat/sweat-all-over.html
  2. American Academy of Dermatology. Hyperhidrosis: Diagnosis and Treatment. https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/hyperhidrosis-treatment
  3. Mayo Clinic. Hyperhidrosis — Symptoms and Causes. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hyperhidrosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20367152
  4. StatPearls Publishing. Hyperhidrosis. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459227/
  5. Glaser DA, et al. Primary Focal Hyperhidrosis: Scope of the Problem. Dermatologic Clinics. 014;32(4):477–484. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0733863514000709?via%3Dihub
  6. Lear W, et al. An Epidemiological Study of Hyperhidrosis. Dermatologic Surgery. 2007;33:S69–S75. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17241417/
  7. Hornberger J, et al. Recognition, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Primary Focal Hyperhidrosis. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2004;51(2):274–286. https://www.jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(04)00515-8/abstract
Medical Disclaimer:
This page is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Iontophoresis and other treatments for hyperhidrosis may not be appropriate for everyone. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical condition or before starting a new treatment. If you experience severe symptoms or concerns related to excessive sweating, seek professional medical evaluation.