Excessive Sweating Here’s What You Should Know About Hyperhidrosis

cutistar 7 views 8 slides Oct 23, 2025
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About This Presentation

While sweating is a natural process that helps regulate body temperature, it can go beyond a normal response to heat or stress for some people. When sweating becomes excessive, unpredictable, and difficult to manage, it may be due to a condition called hyperhidrosis, or sweating more than normal. Re...


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Excessive Sweating? Here’s What You Should
Know About Hyperhidrosis
While sweating is a natural process that helps regulate body
temperature, it can go beyond a normal response to heat or
stress for some people. When sweating becomes excessive,
unpredictable, and difficult to manage, it may be due to a
condition called hyperhidrosis, or sweating more than normal.
Apart from being uncomfortable or disruptive, hyperhidrosis
can also cause embarrassment and hinder confidence.
Continue reading as our aesthetic clinic in Singapore.

3 Key Takeaways:
Hyperhidrosis is more than just sweating.
It’s a medical condition caused by an overactive
sympathetic nervous system, leading to excessive and
unpredictable sweating, even in cool temperatures or
without physical activity.
It can impact daily life, but it’s treatable.
Hyperhidrosis can affect your confidence, social life, and
emotional well-being. Fortunately, treatments like
botulinum toxin injections and even lifestyle changes can
reduce symptoms.
Don’t ignore the signs; help is available.
If excessive sweating is disrupting your routine or causing
distress, consult a healthcare provider. Early diagnosis and
personalized treatment can help you take back control.
Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition that causes excessive
sweating beyond what your body needs to stay cool. It often
affects specific areas such as the underarms, hands, feet, face,
or scalp. In many cases, only one or two areas are affected,
while the rest of the body remains dry.
What is hyperhidrosis?
You may be dealing with hyperhidrosis, if you’ve ever:
Soaked through a shirt while sitting in a cool room
Felt your hands slip during a handshake
Avoided certain shoes or clothes because of excessive
sweat

FEATURE REGULAR SWEATING HYPERHIDROSIS
Function
To cool the body off when it
overheats (when exercising or
stressed)
Producing sweat beyond
what’s required for thermal
regulation; not related to
physical activity
Triggers
Physical activity, stress,
emotions, high temperatures
Occurs even in cool
temperatures or during
rest; can have no apparent
trigger
Affected areas
Usually occurs all over the
body, but may be more
pronounced in areas like the
underarms
Most often occurs on the
underarms, palms, and
soles of the feet but can
also affect other areas
Having hyperhidrosis doesn’t mean you have more sweat
glands than others. Instead, it’s caused by an overactive
sympathetic nervous system, the part of your body that
controls sweating. This nerve pathway becomes overly
sensitive, sending excessive signals to the sweat glands even
when there’s no need to cool the body.
For further reading: 10 Surprising Facts About Underarm
Sweating
How is hyperhidrosis different from regular
sweating?

How do I know if I have hyperhidrosis?
Sweating during hot days or when you’re in a nerve-wracking
situation is normal; it happens to almost everyone. If you,
however, feel like you’re sweating too much for no reason, it
could be due to hyperhidrosis.
Ask yourself:
Are you sweating even when you’re not hot or active?
Does sweating interfere with your daily life (work, social
situations, etc.)?
Do you experience frequent skin irritation, infections, or
discomfort from moisture?
If you said yes to any of these, hyperhidrosis could be to
blame. Speak to a healthcare provider to assess the cause of
your symptoms.
Hyperhidrosis can be primary (no underlying cause, often
genetic) or secondary (caused by something else).
Primary focal hyperhidrosis – is excessive sweating that is NOT
caused by any medical condition or a side effect of medication.
It is often inherited and begins in childhood or adolescence. It
causes sweat in specific or focal areas such as the:
What causes hyperhidrosis?
Underarms (axillary hyperhidrosis)
Hands (palmar hyperhidrosis)
Feet (plantar hyperhidrosis)
Face or head (craniofacial hyperhidrosis)

Secondary generalized hyperhidrosis – refers to excessive
sweating that is caused by a medical condition or a side effect
of a medication. It usually starts in adulthood and occurs in
generalized areas or larger/other areas of the body. Those with
secondary hyperhidrosis may also experience symptoms while
sleeping.
Common causes/triggers include:
Diabetes or thyroid issues
Infections or fever
Certain antidepressants or diabetes medications
Hormonal changes (e.g., menopause)
Obesity or metabolic conditions
Certain cancers
Chronic alcoholism
The good news is hyperhidrosis is treatable. One of the most
common and effective treatments is botulinum toxin, which is
US FDA-approved for hyperhidrosis. It works by temporarily
blocking the nerve signals that trigger sweat production, with
results lasting 4 to 12 months.
Botulinum toxin for underarm sweating at Cutis can help
you take control of your sweating. Benefits include:
What are the treatment options for hyperhidrosis?
Quick procedure and minimal discomfort
Reduces body odor by minimizing sweat production
Prevents visible sweat stains on clothing
Reduces dependence on prescription antiperspirants or
other more expensive treatments

Other treatments include:
Iontophoresis uses an electrical current in water to turn off
sweat glands in the hands or feet. Some use it in the
underarms via special electrodes, but tend to be less
effective in that area. It’s non-invasive but requires
consistency, several sessions a week at first.
Prescription products are stronger than drugstore
antiperspirants, options include:
Aluminum chloride solutions
Glycopyrronium wipes
Oral medications that block sweat-inducing nerves
(with potential side effects like dry mouth or
overheating).
Thermolysis is a non-surgical, in-clinic treatment that uses
thermal energy to permanently destroy underarm sweat
glands. Most people need 1 to 2 sessions. This, however,
can be expensive and cause temporary side effects, such as
swelling, tenderness, and discoloration.
Surgery is reserved for severe cases. This may involve
sweat gland removal (underarms) or sympathectomy,
cutting nerves that trigger sweating. The latter is often used
for hand sweating, though it may cause compensatory
sweating in other areas.
Small daily changes can make a big difference.
Lifestyle tips to support treatments and help
manage sweating

Choose breathable, sweat-wicking fabrics – wear clothes
made from natural or moisture-wicking materials like
cotton, linen, and merino wool. These fabrics allow air to
circulate and help draw moisture away from your skin,
keeping you cooler and drier throughout the day.
Shower before bed and dry thoroughly – especially after
working out or on hot days, shower in lukewarm water
using a gentle cleanser. Make sure to dry your underarms
(and other sweat-prone areas) thoroughly with a clean
towel to reduce moisture buildup overnight.
Keep cool – on hot days, try placing a bowl of ice in front of
a fan to circulate cooler air around the room. Keep blinds
or curtains closed during the day to block out direct
sunlight. Eating smaller, more frequent meals can also
help, as your body produces less metabolic heat compared
to when digesting large meals.
Apply antiperspirant at night – antiperspirants work best
when applied to dry skin at night, when sweat production is
typically lower. This gives the active ingredients time to
block the sweat ducts effectively.
Keep sweat wipes or cloths handy – carry sweat-absorbing
wipes or a small cloth in your bag for a quick clean up
whenever needed.
Care for your feet – wear moisture-wicking socks and
change them at least once or twice a day. This helps
prevent excessive foot sweating and reduces odor and
discomfort.

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Get In Touch With us:
Excessive sweating is not something you have to just live with.
If it’s interfering with your quality of life, it’s time to get help.
Consult a healthcare provider if:
Sweating disrupts your daily activities
Excessive sweating causes emotional distress or social
withdrawal
You suddenly begin sweating more than usual without a
clear cause
When to see a doctor
If you’re unsure whether your sweating is normal or not, it’s
always best to speak with a healthcare professional. Early
consultation can help identify any underlying conditions and
guide you toward the right treatment options.
Take control of your sweating
Hyperhidrosis can be frustrating, but it doesn’t have to control
your life. With the right knowledge, support, and treatment
plan, you can regain comfort, confidence, and control.