How to Stop Excessive Sweating (Hyperhidrosis Treatment Guide)
Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition that causes excessive sweating beyond what the body needs to regulate temperature. It affects an estimated 4–5% of the population and can occur in the underarms, hands, feet, or across multiple body areas. For many people with moderate or severe hyperhidrosis, glycopyrrolate tablets are one of the most effective treatments because they reduce sweating throughout the entire body. Other treatments include prescription-strength antiperspirants and iontophoresis devices, which should be considered depending on the severity and location of sweating.
Excessive sweating is more than just an inconvenience, it can affect confidence, daily comfort, and quality of life.
On this page you can explore guides covering the causes of hyperhidrosis, how it is diagnosed, and the most effective treatments available today.
- Hyperhidrosis causes excessive sweating beyond what the body needs for temperature regulation.
- The condition affects an estimated 4–5% of the population worldwide.
- Effective treatments include glycopyrrolate, prescription antiperspirants, and iontophoresis.
- Many patients can start hyperhidrosis treatment through telehealth consultations.
Understanding Hyperhidrosis (Excessive Sweating)
Hyperhidrosis is a serious medical condition affecting nearly 5% of the world’s population that results in sweating in excess of the amount needed by the body to regulate body temperature. This excessive sweating can be present on many places of the body, but the most common areas are the underarms, hands, feet, face and head, groin, breasts, back, and any combination of the foregoing.
Sweating is a necessary function of the human body, acting as a coolant to reduce body temperature., but patients with hyperhidrosis may sweat 4-5 times more than an average person. Patients with hyperhidrosis sweat even when they are not hot or exercising.
Excessive sweating can interfere with work, social situations, and everyday activities. Unfortunately, many people live with symptoms for years before learning that safe and effective treatments are available.
The resources below explain how hyperhidrosis works and how doctors diagnose and treat the condition.
As will be explained more below, hyperhidrosis is not necessarily associated with an increase in body odor. For more information on managing body odor (known as bromhidrosis), check out our bromhidrosis resources page.
¿Qué es la hiperhidrosis?
La hiperhidrosis es una afección médica grave que afecta a casi el 5% de la población mundial y que provoca una sudoración excesiva a la necesaria para regular la temperatura corporal. Esta sudoración excesiva puede presentarse en diversas partes del cuerpo, pero las más comunes son las axilas, las manos, los pies, la cara, la cabeza, las ingles, los senos, la espalda y cualquier combinación de las anteriores. Los pacientes con hiperhidrosis pueden sudar de 4 a 5 veces más que una persona promedio.
La sudoración es una función esencial del cuerpo humano, ya que actúa como refrigerante para reducir la temperatura corporal. Existen dos tipos de glándulas sudoríparas: (1) glándulas sudoríparas ecrinas; y (2) glándulas sudoríparas apocrinas. Las glándulas sudoríparas ecrinas producen un líquido transparente e inodoro, y son las glándulas responsables de controlar la temperatura corporal. Las glándulas sudoríparas apocrinas producen un líquido espeso y lechoso, que es la principal causa del olor corporal.
En un paciente con hiperhidrosis, las glándulas sudoríparas ecrinas producen sudor en exceso.
¿Tengo hiperhidrosis?
Es posible que tenga hiperhidrosis si tiene dos o más de los siguientes criterios:
- Sudas excesivamente al menos una vez por semana;
- La sudoración perjudica tu vida diaria;
- Los síntomas aparecieron antes de los 25 años;
- La sudoración cesa o se detiene por la noche durante el sueño;
- Otros miembros de tu familia sudan excesivamente.
What Causes Excessive Sweating?
Excessive sweating occurs when the body’s sweat glands become overactive. In many cases, this happens because the nerves that control sweat production send signals even when the body does not need to cool itself.
For people with primary hyperhidrosis, excessive sweating is usually not caused by another medical condition. Instead, it is believed to be related to overactivity in the sympathetic nervous system, which controls sweat gland stimulation.
In other cases, excessive sweating may be linked to underlying health conditions. This is known as secondary hyperhidrosis.
Potential causes of secondary hyperhidrosis include:
- hormonal changes
- certain medications
- infections
- endocrine disorders
- metabolic conditions
A medical evaluation can help determine whether sweating is primary hyperhidrosis or related to another condition.
Tipos de hiperhidrosis
Hiperhidrosis focal primaria
Se caracteriza por la sudoración en una o más zonas focales, como las axilas, las manos o los pies. La hiperhidrosis focal primaria se presenta en ambos lados del cuerpo y la mayoría de los pacientes la padecen en más de una zona focal.
Hiperhidrosis secundaria
La hiperhidrosis secundaria es secundaria a otra causa, como un medicamento o una afección médica. A diferencia de la hiperhidrosis focal primaria, la hiperhidrosis secundaria implica una sudoración más generalizada y no limitada a zonas corporales específicas.
Tratos
antitranspirantes
Los antitranspirantes tópicos son el tratamiento de elección para controlar la hiperhidrosis. Según la definición de la FDA, los antitranspirantes contienen aluminio.
Para la mayoría de los pacientes con hiperhidrosis, los antitranspirantes de venta libre no son suficientes, por lo que desarrollamos una línea propia de antitranspirantes con prescripción médica . Incluso para aquellos pacientes que no pueden controlarse adecuadamente solo con antitranspirantes, los antitranspirantes con prescripción médica deben seguir formando parte de su régimen de medicación.
Crema de metenamina
Insertar
anticolinérgicos orales
Los medicamentos anticolinérgicos orales, como las tabletas de glicopirrolato, actúan en todo el cuerpo para detener la sudoración en cualquier parte del cuerpo.
Son ideales para pacientes que sudan en más de una zona del cuerpo o para aquellos que no pueden obtener un alivio adecuado solo con antitranspirantes.
Iontoforesis
Los medicamentos anticolinérgicos orales, como las tabletas de glicopirrolato, actúan en todo el cuerpo para detener la sudoración en cualquier parte del cuerpo.
Son ideales para pacientes que sudan en más de una zona del cuerpo o para aquellos que no pueden obtener un alivio adecuado solo con antitranspirantes.
Why Do Some Body Areas Sweat More Than Others?
Excessive sweating can occur in different parts of the body depending on the type of hyperhidrosis. Certain areas contain a higher concentration of sweat glands, which is why people commonly experience persistent sweating in the hands, feet, underarms, or face.
Why Are My Hands Always Sweaty?
Sweaty hands are often caused by palmar hyperhidrosis, a condition where the nerves that control sweat glands in the palms become overactive. People with palmar hyperhidrosis may experience sweating even when they are not hot or exercising.
Treatments that may help include glycopyrrolate tablets, prescription-strength antiperspirants, or iontophoresis therapy, which can reduce sweat production in the hands.
Why Do My Feet Sweat So Much?
Excessive sweating of the feet is known as plantar hyperhidrosis. This occurs when sweat glands in the soles of the feet produce more sweat than necessary for temperature regulation.
Because the feet are often enclosed in shoes, excess sweat can also contribute to foot odor and skin irritation. Treatments for plantar hyperhidrosis include glycopyrrolate tablets, prescription-strength antiperspirants, or iontophoresis therapy.
Why Do My Armpits Sweat So Much?
Underarm sweating is called axillary hyperhidrosis. The underarms contain a large number of sweat glands, which is why this area commonly produces visible sweat stains.
Axillary hyperhidrosis can be treated with glycopyrrolate tablets, prescription-strength antiperspirants, or iontophoresis therapy, which can reduce sweat production in the underarms.
Why Is My Face Always Sweaty?
Excessive facial sweating is called craniofacial hyperhidrosis. It often occurs on the forehead, scalp, or upper lip and may worsen during stress or warm temperatures.
Glycopyrrolate tablets or skin-safe prescription-strength antiperspirants, should be used for craniofacial hyperhidrosis.
If excessive sweating affects multiple areas of the body, treatments such as glycopyrrolate tablets for hyperhidrosis may help reduce sweating systemically (all over the body)
Medical Treatments for Hyperhidrosis (How to Stop Excessive Sweating)
There are several different treatment options to reduce excessive sweating. The best treatment depends on the severity of symptoms and the areas of the body affected.
Many patients benefit from a combination of treatments designed to reduce sweat production and block the release of sweat.
Hyperhidrosis Treatment Comparison (How to Stop Excessive Sweating)
The most common treatments for hyperhidrosis include glycopyrrolate tablets, prescription-strength antiperspirants, and iontophoresis, each recommended depending on the severity and location of excessive sweating.
| Treatment | Best For | How It Works | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glycopyrrolate tablets | Moderate to severe hyperhidrosis or multiple body areas | Reduces sweat production by blocking acetylcholine signals to sweat glands | Daily oral medication |
| Prescription-strength antiperspirant | Mild hyperhidrosis or localized sweating | Temporarily blocks sweat glands | Topical treatment |
| Iontophoresis | Sweaty hands, feet, or underarms | Uses electrical current to reduce sweat gland activity | Regular treatment sessions |
For people with moderate or severe hyperhidrosis affecting multiple body areas, glycopyrrolate tablets are often the most effective treatment because they reduce sweating throughout the body.
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Learn More - GlycopyrrolateGlycopyrrolate Tablets for Hyperhidrosis
Glycopyrrolate is an oral medication that can significantly reduce sweating throughout the body. It works by blocking certain nerve signals that stimulate sweat glands.
For people with moderate to severe hyperhidrosis, Glycopyrrolate Tablets may provide meaningful relief from excessive sweating.
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Learn More - AntiperspirantsPrescription Antiperspirant Cream
Antiperspirants are considered first-line therapy for managing sweating. Prescription antiperspirants contain a higher percentage of aluminum than anything you can buy over-the-counter at a store or online without a prescription.
Our Antiperspirant Cream is unlike the only other prescription-strength antiperspirant available in the United States (Drysol) because it does not contain alcohol; rather, our product is aqueous (water-based) so it has less burning and is made with good-for-skin ingredients.
Antiperspirants can be used alone for mild hyperhidrosis, but they should be used in combination with Glycopyrrolate Tablets for moderate to severe hyperhidrosis.
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Learn More - IontophoresisIontophoresis Treatment for Sweaty Hands, Feet, and Underarms
Iontophoresis is a device-based treatment commonly used for palmar and plantar hyperhidrosis but it can also be used for axillary hyperhidrosis. The treatment works by passing a mild electrical current through water to temporarily block sweat gland activity.
Iontophoresis is one of the most effective treatments for hyperhidrosis, but it is a time-consuming treatment, which is why we only recommend it if our patients try and fail our Antiperspirant Cream and our Glycopyrrolate Tablets.
Common Questions About Hyperhidrosis
People experiencing excessive sweating often have questions about diagnosis, treatment options, and long-term management.
The guides throughout this page can help answer common questions about hyperhidrosis and body odor conditions.
What Is the Best Treatment for Excessive Sweating (Hyperhidrosis)?
Effective treatment for hyperhidrosis depends on the cause and severity of sweating. For mild hyperhidrosis in only one body area, start with a prescription-strength antiperspirant. For sweating in more than one body area or if you have moderate or severe hyperhidrosis, start with glycopyrrolate tablets.
If you do not get relief from the combination of prescription-strength antiperspirants plus glycopyrrolate tablets, consider an FDA-cleared iontophoresis device if your sweating occurs in the hands, feet, and/or underarms.
If you need help finding a treatment regimen for your hyperhidrosis, contact us, and one of our pharmacists will reach out to you.
When Should You See a Doctor for Hyperhidrosis?
If sweating interferes with your daily life, work, or social interactions, it may be time to seek treatment. Effective treatments are available, and many people experience significant improvement once the condition is properly diagnosed.
Can Hyperhidrosis Be Treated Online?
Yes, hyperhidrosis can be effectively managed online. Undefined Health has a team of fully-licensed doctors and pharmacists who specialize in the treatment of hyperhidrosis.
How to Choose the Right Hyperhidrosis Treatment
Mild Sweating (one body area)
To treat mild sweating in one body area (for example, just your hands or just your underarms), use a prescription antiperspirant. Antiperspirants work well because they can be applied directly to the area where sweating occurs, and you do not have to apply too much.
Mild Sweating (multiple body areas)
To treat mild sweating across multiple body areas, use an oral medication such as glycopyrrolate tablets because it is not realistic to apply antiperspirant over multiple body areas. Antiperspirants should still be considered for your most problematic areas (for example, your hands are the most troublesome).
Moderate Sweating
To treat moderate sweating, use an oral medication such as glycopyrrolate tablets. Glycopyrrolate works all over the body and provides a significant reduction in sweat.
Severe Sweating
To treat severe sweating, use an oral medication such as glycopyrrolate tablets plus antiperspirants. Glycopyrrolate and antiperspirants work together to reduce the production of sweat and also block the sweat from coming out onto the skin.
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Contact UsStart Treatment for Hyperhidrosis
Undefined Health provides access to treatment for hyperhidrosis through a simple online process:
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- Checkout
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If you need help, contact us using the button below, and one of our pharmacists will get back to you.
Medical References & Sources
- International Hyperhidrosis Society. Hyperhidrosis Treatment Overview. https://sweathelp.org/hyperhidrosis-treatments/treatment-overview.html
- American Academy of Dermatology Association. Hyperhidrosis: Diagnosis and Treatment. https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/hyperhidrosis-treatment
- Mayo Clinic. Hyperhidrosis – Symptoms and Causes. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hyperhidrosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20367152
- Nawrocki S, Cha J. The Etiology, Diagnosis, and Management of Hyperhidrosis. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30710604/
- Glaser DA et al. Primary Focal Hyperhidrosis: Scope of the Problem. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17596096/
- Pariser DM et al. Topical Therapies in Hyperhidrosis Care. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25152341/
All medical references and sources were reviewed by licensed pharmacists at Undefined Health.