Excessive Sweating

Sweating is a normal way to keep the body temperature steady if the air temperature is hot, during a fever, or when exercising. Sweating is excessive if it is more than is needed to keep the body temperature normal. About 1 in 100 people sweat excessively. This is called hyperhidrosis. Anyone can be affected but it is most common in young women. Excess sweating usually affects the armpits and/or the palms of the hands and feet. There may be a persistent dampness in these areas. The hands or armpits may drip with sweat. 'Normal' antiperspirants are not very effective. Rarely, there is an underlying cause such as an infectious illness or hormone problem. A doctor may do some tests if symptoms suggest an underlying cause. However, for most people there are no other symptoms, they are otherwise well and there is no apparent cause for the excessive sweating.

Aluminium chloride treatment for excessive sweating

Aluminium chloride solution is a common treatment. It is a powerful antiperspirant available on prescription or to buy from pharmacies. It works best for armpit sweating but may still work for hands and feet. It should be put on to affected areas at night and washed off in the morning. Dry the skin with a towel or flannel before applying. Use once daily to begin with. Often the sweating improves within a few weeks. Once sweating has improved it may only need to be applied twice a week or less to keep the sweating under control. Sometimes skin irritation is a side effect. In particular, aluminium chloride should not be applied within an hour of taking a bath or within 12 hours of shaving the affected area as this is more likely to cause skin irritation. If found successful, aluminium chloride can be used long term to keep sweating down.

Other possible treatment options

• Medication such as propantheline is sometimes tried to reduce the sweat made by the sweat glands. However, side effects such as dry mouth and blurred vision may occur and medication is often not successful.
• Iontopheresis is a treatment that may be available at the physiotherapy department if aluminium chloride is not effective. It involves putting the affected area of skin in a liquid. A small electrical current is passed through the liquid. This is not painful or unpleasant but the treatment has some effect on the sweat glands. The treatment needs to be done regularly at first. If effective, a treatment every 1-2 months may then suffice. A dry mouth or blurred vision are possible side effects.
• Surgery is an option for people with severe sweating that has not eased with other treatments. Various techniques are used. A specialist will advise on the best option for the areas of skin affected. The following are some of the methods that are successful
• An operation to cut the nerves to the sweat glands is an option for people with hand or feet sweating. One side effect that may occur is increased sweating in other parts of the body after the operation.
• Injection of a toxin (poison) to stop the nerves to the sweat glands working. This involves several small injections just under the skin. It is used mainly for armpit and foot sweating.
• Cutting out the skin that contains the sweat glands in the armpits. However, this may cause scarring and a loss of the full range of movement of the arm.

© EMIS and PIP 2004   Updated: December 2000   CHIQ Accredited