Best Treatments For Hyperhidrosis

What treatments are there for excessive sweating?

Approximately 3% of people worldwide experience hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating). From a health perspective, it doesn't usually require medical intervention, but some people may seek treatment because it can be uncomfortable and embarrassing.

Medically reviewed by

Alexandra Cristina Cowell, Writer & Clinical Content Reviewer

	Prescription antiperspirant solution 20%	Glycopyrrolate - 2mg	Oxybutynin - 2.5mg and 5mg
Form	Roll-on	Oral tablet	Oral tablet
Active ingredient	Aluminum chloride hexahydrate	Glycopyrrolate	Oxybutynin hydrochloride
How it works	Builds a barrier across your sweat glands	Blocks the chemical that produces sweat	Blocks the chemicals that trigger the production of sweat
Time to work	Within a week or two	Varies from hours to days	Four to six weeks
Dosage	Daily	Once daily	Once daily
Possible side effects	Stinging Redness Burning sensation Itching Irritation	Dry mouth Constipation Diarrhea Vomiting Nasal congestion Urinary problem Agitation	Dry mouth Abnormal heartbeat Blurred vision Digestion issues Dry skin

Prescription antiperspirant solution 20%

Glycopyrrolate - 2mg

Oxybutynin - 2.5mg and 5mg

Form

Roll-on

Oral tablet

Active ingredient

Aluminum chloride hexahydrate

Glycopyrrolate

Oxybutynin hydrochloride

How it works

Builds a barrier across your sweat glands

Blocks the chemical that produces sweat

Blocks the chemicals that trigger the production of sweat

Time to work

Within a week or two

Varies from hours to days

Four to six weeks

Dosage

Daily

Once daily

Possible side effects

Stinging Redness Burning sensation Itching Irritation

Dry mouth Constipation Diarrhea Vomiting Nasal congestion Urinary problem Agitation

Dry mouth Abnormal heartbeat Blurred vision Digestion issues Dry skin

Clothing and hygiene tips

Choose loose-fitting, breathable clothing made from materials like linen or cotton. Some polyester blends can make you sweat more and increase body odor, while natural fibers promote air circulation.

If you need to wear tight clothing, try using underarm pads. These pads adhere directly to your clothing, helping catch sweat and prevent sweat stains.

Additionally, keep the areas prone to sweat clean and dry. Wash them regularly with a mild soap to reduce bacterial growth. This will help prevent odor.

Stress reduction techniques

Anxiety and stress are common triggers for sweating. Adding relaxation methods like yoga, meditation, or deep breathing exercises to your daily routine can calm your nerves, reducing the risk of sweating excessively. These activities enhance overall wellness and can effectively alleviate stress related to sweating.

Dietary considerations

Although there's no specific hyperhidrosis diet, certain foods can trigger sweat or reduce it.

Foods high in water content, like watermelon, cucumber, tomatoes, and oranges, can regulate your internal temperature, which may help reduce sweating. Similarly, calcium-rich foods, like milk, cheese, and leafy greens, have the same effects and may reduce sweat.

On the other hand, spicy foods can trick your body into thinking that it's overheating, which can lead to sweating. Alcohol may also increase sweating as it dilates your blood vessels and raises body temperature.

Managing hyperhidrosis

Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition and should be treated as such. While it doesn’t always require treatment from a medical perspective, if it causes mental or emotional stress, various treatment options are available to help reduce sweating. It’s up to you which you choose, and if you’re uncertain, a healthcare provider can help.