Excessive Sweating (Hyperhidrosis)

The main symptom of hyperhidrosis is heavy sweating. This can range from mild to severe and may affect one or more parts of your body. You may have symptoms all the time, or they may come and go. 

You may have hyperhidrosis if you notice: 

• you sweat more than other people 

• your clothes are frequently damp

• your skin is often wet 

• sweat dripping from your forehead or cheeks 

In most cases, hyperhidrosis has no obvious cause. It’s thought to occur due to overactivity of the nerves that trigger your sweat glands. Sometimes hyperhidrosis can be caused by an underlying health issue, particularly if you’re over 25, sweat excessively during sleep or have symptoms over a large area of your skin. 

Some causes of hyperhidrosis include: 

• some medications

• some health conditions, such as diabetes and hyperthyroidism

• hormonal factors like the menopause

• infections

You will start with an initial appointment with a consultant dermatologist, a doctor with specialist training in diagnosing and treating skin problems. 

Your dermatologist will ask you about your symptoms, general health, family and medical history, and any medications you take regularly. They’ll then perform a physical examination. 

In some cases, your consultant may request some tests, such as blood or imaging tests, to check for any underlying health conditions that could be causing your symptoms. 

Your consultant will make a diagnosis based on your symptoms, physical examination and any test results. They’ll explain your diagnosis to you and create a personalised treatment plan that best suits your needs. 

As it isn’t usually known what causes hyperhidrosis, the condition isn’t normally preventable. If your hyperhidrosis is caused by an underlying medical condition, managing and treating that condition can reduce the risk of developing hyperhidrosis. 

Hyperhidrosis is not usually serious, but rarely, untreated hyperhidrosis can lead to the following complications: 

• itching and inflammation caused by the sweat irritating your skin 

• infections such as fungal infections and boils 

• an unpleasant body odour 

• emotional and psychological symptoms such as anxiety, low self-esteem, social isolation and reduced quality of life 

Treatment for hyperhidrosis depends on the part of your body that’s affected and how severe your symptoms are. There’s no single treatment that works for everyone, and your dermatologist will work with you to find the best treatment option for you. 

Hyperhidrosis treatments are temporary, but some, such as Botox, can relieve your symptoms for many months.

Treatments for hyperhidrosis include: 

• over-the-counter or prescription deodorants containing high concentrations of aluminium salts. These are usually the first line of treatment for hyperhidrosis and need to be applied overnight to dry skin 

• creams or wipes to control sweating – can be effective for hyperhidrosis that mostly affects your face

• tap water iontophoresis – this is used for hyperhidrosis affecting the palms of your hands or the soles of your feet 

• botulinum toxin (Botox) injections – are usually used to control hyperhidrosis in your armpits

• tablets to inhibit sweating (such as oxybutynin) – work by blocking the release of a chemical from nerve endings that trigger sweating 

• if an underlying medical issue is found, treating this may lead to an improvement in your symptoms

At Welbeck, our dermatologists are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.

With access to colleagues across other specialities, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.  

All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.

Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.

Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.

Get in touch today to book an appointment.