Q&A: Medical Treatment For Excessive Sweating

Something To Sweat About

Question: I have always suffered from sweaty palms and feet. Recently on my first winter holiday, my hands were sweaty despite the cold. Is there a cure for this condition, or if there isn’t, is there any medication that can provide temporary relief? I am a 27-year-old man.

Answer: What you are experiencing is a condition known as palmoplantar hyperhidrosis. It causes a person to produce excessive sweat at the palms and soles. Although this condition can cause some inconvenience to the patient, it is usually not related to any serious health problems.

There are different medical treatments available to control your symptoms, including:

• Topical antiperspirants such as aluminium hexachloride lotion.
• Iontophoresis (the use of water with electrical current to treat the affected skin). One of the postulates is that this treatment microscopically thickens the outer layer of the skin, blocking the flow of sweat to the skin’s surface.
• Botox injection to block the secretion of the chemical that is responsible for ‘turning on’ the body’s sweat glands.
• Surgery for cases that do not respond well to medical treatment.

You may wish to discuss your condition with your doctor or dermatologist so that they can recommend a suitable treatment that works best for you.

Sweaty Issue

Question: Recently, I have been sweating a lot. I thought it must be due to the hot weather, but after showering or when I’m in an air-conditioned place, I still perspire. My husband also pointed out that I have developed body odour. What could be wrong with me? I’m in my early 40s and slightly overweight.

Answer: What you have described could be due to a condition known as secondary generalised hyperhidrosis, which causes a person to produce excessive sweat over most areas of the body.

It may be related to medical conditions such as menstrual disturbances, hormonal disorders, infections or the use of certain medications.

The treatment for this involves finding out the underlying medical condition that is causing the excessive sweating. It is important to see your doctor to find out the root cause before he or she can recommend the most appropriate treatment.