Most of the time, sweating is an absolutely normal bodily process that is actually quite helpful in keeping your temperature regulated. After all, you do need to cool down somehow when it’s hot outside or during a difficult workout. But sometimes, sweating can go beyond just what is considered normal and into the territory of a condition called hyperhidrosis.
If you often sweat for seemingly no reason or to an extent that feels far beyond what could possibly be normal, you might have hyperhidrosis. It’s a real condition, yes, but hyperhidrosis is far from being a death sentence. There are plenty of ways to manage it, and we’re here to help you learn about those ways.
What Is Hyperhidrosis?
Hyperhidrosis is defined as a condition in which somebody sweats abnormally excessively, even when their body temperature isn’t being raised by conditions such as heat or exercise. The kicker with hyperhidrosis is that it goes far enough beyond regular sweating that it gets in the way of your day-to-day life. You might sweat so much that it drips off your fingertips or soaks through your clothing. And, what for some people is even more serious, it can cause social anxiety and embarrassment.
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There are actually two types of hyperhidrosis: primary and secondary. Primary focal hyperhidrosis occurs when the nerves responsible for triggering your sweat glands become overactive without a trigger. It usually gets even worse with stress or anxiety, and typically affects the palms, face, and soles of the feet. This type of hyperhidrosis has no medical cause, although it may have a hereditary component as it sometimes runs in families.
Secondary hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating caused by a medical condition. It’s less common and usually occurs all over the entire body rather than just in certain areas. Secondary hyperhidrosis may be caused by any of the following:
- Medications
- Diabetes
- Thyroid problems
- Menopause
- Low blood sugar
- Heart attack
- Nervous system disorders
- Certain types of cancer
- Infection
- Opioid withdrawal
Why You Should Treat Hyperhidrosis
Most people who suffer from hyperhidrosis are self-motivated to treat it. After all, hyperhidrosis usually interferes with the ability to do one’s day-to-day activities. Some people get so sweaty that they have trouble holding onto things. Others have issues figuring out what clothing to wear that doesn’t constantly need to be replaced because of sweat stains. This can be frustrating and expensive!
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And, quite commonly, many sufferers of hyperhidrosis experience a lot of shame and anxiety, feeling uncomfortable in social and professional situations in which others are paying attention to them. They might have trouble leading a business meeting, doing a presentation for school, or going on a first date because they are so self-conscious about their sweating. If any of these situations apply to you, it’s only natural to seek treatment for your hyperhidrosis.
It’s also worth noting that hyperhidrosis tends to increase one’s risk of infection. People who sweat profusely are more susceptible to infections of the skin as their pores are more open and can more easily be invaded by bacteria. So even if you are lucky enough that your hyperhidrosis doesn’t bother you too much, it might still be a good idea to look into treatment. This is especially true because if you have secondary hyperhidrosis, it might be pointing to a more serious underlying condition that you probably want to know about.
How to Treat Hyperhidrosis
There are a few possible ways to treat hyperhidrosis. First, if you have secondary hyperhidrosis, your doctor may be able to help you find what is causing your excessive sweating and respond accordingly. This may involve a change in medication or a treatment plan for your primary condition.
If no cause is found for your hyperhidrosis, your treatment plan will be focused on managing the symptoms of excessive sweating. There are a few possible options here.
- Prescription antiperspirant. Your doctor might prescribe an antiperspirant made with aluminum chloride which is usually applied before bed and washed off when you get up.
- Prescription cream. Creams with glycopyrrolate have been shown to help hyperhidrosis of the face and head.
How Social Citizen Sweat Proof T-Shirts Can Help You
As you can see, these treatment options range from minimally invasive to much more involved. Whichever you choose to try, if any, is a choice that is up to you and your doctor. But one more thing that you can do in addition to any other treatments for hyperhidrosis is trying sweat proof clothing. Social Citizen’s Social Tee is specially designed for people with excessive sweating. They are made with a three-layer underarm pad that is 100% guaranteed to stop sweat stains. There is also antimicrobial bamboo in the pad to help prevent odors. Best of all, the Social Tee is stylish and comfortable, fitting right into your closet without revealing its sweat resistant nature.
