Hyperhidrosis, or excessive s-weating, can be an extremely disabling problem. Caused by the over activity of the sympathetic nervous system, hyperhidrosis can pose embarrassing problems in achieving simple everyday tasks like shaking hands, hugging, -writing and sometimes even establishing personal relationships. Those -who suffer from it, and the number is not small – about one percent of the -world’s population is afflicted -with this incapacitating condition do so not only at the physical and functional level but also socially and emotionally.

Tips to combat excessive s-weating

1 As a patient of hyperhidrosis you may find your clothing becoming damp and giving off an unpleasant odor. You -will probably be spending several hours a day dealing -with the excessive s-weating -wiping, refreshening, sho-wering, bathing, and -washing clothes. Repeated -washing and use of deodorizing soaps can alleviate the problem but an overuse of these soaps can also cause dermatitis. It -would be advisable to choose a cleanser that is 100% soap free.

2 As you may need to change your clothes several times a day, it is advisable to -wear loose fitting garments tailored in materials that do not stain easily.

3 Try to keep the folds bet-ween the skin, like under the neck, as dry as possible to avoid skin problems.

4 If you suffer from Planter Hyperhidrosis (hyperhidrosis affecting the soles of the feet) you may find that your feet develop an unpleasant smell and is prone to secondary skin infections. You can purchase absorbent shoe insoles, but do replace these frequently. Avoid -wearing the same pair of shoes t-wo days in a ro-w.

5 You -will also find that your shoes get damaged quite easily. To increase their life span, you should leave them out to dry.

6 Using antiperspirants -will give you some relief from the displeasing odors. Antiperspirants come in many forms sprays, sticks, rollons and paints, and is different from deodorants. The former affect the production of s-weat -while the latter only disguise the unpleasant odor. Choose a nonfragranced aluminum salt antiperspirant, -which has 1025% alcohol content. -when applying, after a sho-wer, and just before going to bed, make sure that the skin is dry. -wash it off in the morning. Use it for several consecutive nights and then you can taper it do-wn to one or t-wice a -week. If you find the antiperspirant irritating your skin, you can apply hydrocortisone cream.

7 For mild hyperhidrosis, you may find talcum po-wder and corn starch po-wder effective. Apply in bet-ween skin folds and toes to absorb the s-weat.