Diagnosis and Treatment for Hyperhidrosis

Diagnosis and Treatment for Hyperhidrosis

Hyperhidrosis causes excess sweating, which is not typical of high activity levels. The condition can cause sweat to seeps through your clothes and falls through your limbs, causing major embarrassment and anxiety. Read on to know the diagnosis and treatment for hyperhidrosis.

Diagnosis 

You will have to visit a doctor for a diagnosis of the condition. During this visit, they may ask about your medical history and associated symptoms. To suggest what treatment options are best for you, you may need to undergo the following physical examinations.

  • Laboratory tests

You may have to undergo a blood test, urine test, or any other suggested lab test to highlight the sweating’s underlying cause. Some of these conditions could be hyperthyroidism or hypoglycemia. These tests help establish the reasons behind the presence of this condition in the body.

  • Sweat tests

The doctor may conduct tests to identify regions of sweating and the severity of the condition. Some doctors prefer to conduct an iodine starch test, while others prefer skin conductance or more advanced tests such as Thermoregulatory tests.

Treatment

If hyperhidrosis results from a medical condition, then it is pertinent to treat the underlying cause first. In cases the doctor cannot highlight a definite reason behind the excessive sweating, the treatment focuses on controlling excessive sweating in the first place. However, it is possible that despite treatment, the condition of sweating can reoccur.

  • Medicines

Some doctors may prescribe particular drugs to overcome hyperhidrosis. These include prescription-based antiperspirants, prescription creams, special drugs that have a nerve-blocking effect, antidepressants, and in extreme cases, botulinum toxin injections may be given to the patient.

  • Surgery

Sometimes, surgical methods of treatment are also used for hyperhidrosis. These include microwave therapy, sweat gland removal, and sympathectomy. It involves surgery on the nerves where the doctor will cut and burn several spinal nerve endings.

  • Lifestyle changes for relief from hyperhidrosis

Besides these treatment options, the diagnosis and treatment for hyperhidrosis can be treated to some extent by making necessary lifestyle changes. For example, the patient can start using antiperspirants, apply basic astringents, choose breathable clothes, opt for shoes and socks that are made of natural fabrics, bathe daily, air the feet, and slip into clothes that are easy to wear and suit the nature of the activity. Relaxation techniques can also provide relief to patients suffering from this condition.

Armed with this information, ensure that you get timely treatment from your doctor for quick relief and to avoid embarrassment.