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Problems With Armpit Sweat

Sweat glands concentrate heavily in certain areas of the body, like the armpits. Heat, emotional stress and exercise can trigger sweating and everyone experiences this natural bodily function. Sweat helps regulate temperature by cooling the body. Excessive sweating, however, can become problematic by causing embarrassment and other forms of emotional distress. If you experience excessive sweating in the armpits, feet or hands, you might suffer from primary hyperhidrosis, which causes overactive sweat glands.

  1. Prevalence of Primary Hyperhidrosis

    • About 2 to 3 percent of the population suffers from primary hyperhidrosis, reports PubMed Health, a service of the National Library of Medicine. Though many treatments exist to address this problem, it notes less than half of sufferers seek treatment. According to the Mayo Clinic, 50 percent of people with hyperhidrosis experience social anxiety, which underscores the importance of seeking treatment.

    About Primary Hyperhidrosis

    • The exact cause of primary hyperhidrosis remains unknown, but it seems an improper nervous system response causes overactive sweat glands. You might find yourself sweating in the absence of physical activity and without any outside stimuli like heat. If you primarily sweat in the armpits, hands or feet, you likely suffer from this condition rather than secondary hyperhidrosis, which typically affects more of the body and results from an underlying medical problem like infection or hyperthyroidism. To be sure, you might consider seeing a doctor to rule out the presence of more serious problems.

    Antiperspirants

    • The first line of treatment usually involves antiperspirants that contain aluminum chloride hexahydrate -- an agent that has been shown to control excessive sweating. Look for products that contain at least 10 to 15 percent. You might require stronger concentrations only available by prescription. You typically apply the product at night and wash off six to eight hours later, explains the Mayo Clinic.

    Medications

    • Medications that block the actions of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter involved in nervous system activities like stimulating the sweat glands, might help with excessive armpit sweating. You can take these medications topically or apply them directly on the affected areas. Botox injections, probably best known for treating facial wrinkles, have demonstrated significant benefits for underarm sweating. Like the aforementioned medications, they block the release of acetylcholine. You will require injections about every four to six months. If you find your sweating worsens in response to stress and anxiety, beta-blockers and benzodiazepines might help.

    Procedures for Hyperhidrosis

    • Iontophoresis involves blocking sweat gland activity through electricity, but it appears to work better for hyperhidrosis of the feet and hands rather than the armpits. The procedure used in the most extreme cases, which destroys nerves that trigger excessive sweating, can unfortunately only address hyperhidrosis in the palms.

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