 Excessive sweating, also known as hyperhidrosis, is a fairly common problem. It usually affects the palms, feet, groin, and armpits. Some people also have an abnormal amount of sweating on the face. A prescription medication called Drysol generic name aluminum chloride hexahydrate) may be a good choice for people who do not get relief from herbal or non-prescription antiperspirants. Drysol is reported to work in 80 percent of the people who use it for excessive sweating. You apply it to the hands, feet, or underarms. Do not apply it to broken, irritated, or recently shaved skin. Apply Drysol at bedtime to dry skin in affected areas. To prevent irritation, wash it off in the morning with plain water. Do not use your regular daytime antiperspirant in Drysol treated areas. Repeat the treatment nightly until the perspiration is under control. Drysol may irritate your skin, so if it becomes sore or itchy, contact your physician for advice. When sweating is under control, you may try your daytime antiperspirant. The thick skin of the palms and soles is harder to treat than underarms, and may require treatment for a longer period of time. One promising new study has shown that injection with one of the toxins from the bacteria that cause botulism (Botox) is also effective at stopping excessive sweating. Treatment with one injection reduces sweating for 4 to 17 months. You should only try Botox if topical treatment such as Drysol does not work for you. Botox may stop the sweating, but will not stop body odor. This treatment is not effective in all people, can be painful, and you should discuss it with your doctor.
Your doctor may prescribe an anticholinergic drug such as glycopyrrolate (Robinul) if your sweating is excessive all over the body.
There are other procedures such as surgery or iontophoresis (which uses a form of electricity to turn off the sweating), that can be used if prescription medications are unsuccessful. Sources:
Drysol product information, Person & Covy, Inc., 1998.
Goh, C.L. "Aluminum chloride hexahydrate versus palmar hyperhidrosis: Evaporimeter assessment," International Journal of Dermatology 29 (1990).
Habif, Thomas. Clinical Dermatology. Mosby-Year Book Inc., 1996.
Heckman, Marc. Ceballos-Baumann, A.O., Plewig, Gerd. “Botulinum Toxin for axillary hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating),” New England Journal of Medicine 344 (2001).
Micromedex® Healthcare Series. Thomson Micromedex, 2007.
Medline Plus. Medline, 2007.
Diseases and Conditions, "Sweating and body odor." http://www.mayoclinic.com. Mayo Clinic. Health. Last accessed 1/16/2007.
This answer prepared 3/8/2001.
This information updated 1/16/2007.
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