HOW TO MANAGE EXCESSIVE SWEATING ON A DAILY BASIS ?

Home » Infographic » How do you manage excessive sweating on a daily basis?

Treat excessive sweating : Botox

Sweating is an essential physiological mechanism for the body’s thermoregulation. It allows excess heat to be released and helps maintain a stable internal temperature. However, in some individuals, this process becomes excessive, uncontrollable, and sometimes disabling. This condition is called hyperhidrosis, which can affect up to 3% of the population.
Hyperhidrosis may be localized (armpits, hands, feet, face) or generalized. Daily life then becomes a succession of adjustments, avoidance strategies, and sometimes silent suffering.
Managing this condition requires both a thorough understanding of the available medical options and the adoption of simple daily habits.

Adapting hygiene and body care

One of the first measures to implement is skin hygiene, which must be rigorous but non-aggressive.

Daily showers, or even twice-daily, with gentle and fragrance-free soaps to avoid any irritation.
Regular shaving of areas such as the armpits to reduce bacterial proliferation responsible for odors.
Thorough drying after washing, especially between the toes or under the arms, to reduce residual moisture.

The choice of products used is also crucial :

Favor alcohol-free deodorants and, if possible, those enriched with soothing agents.
In cases of localized sweating, use antiperspirants containing aluminum chloride (by prescription or over-the-counter), although these can cause skin irritation if misused.

Adapting your wardrobe

The choice of clothing plays a key role in daily comfort. Some synthetic fabrics worsen sweating or increase the feeling of moisture. It is therefore recommended to favor breathable textiles, such as cotton or linen; loose-fitting clothes that allow air circulation; layered outfits to quickly adapt to ambient temperature; and dark colors that hide potential sweat marks.
For the feet, wearing socks made of natural fibers, combined with rotating shoes and the possible use of absorbent powders, helps reduce foot moisture.

Behavioral techniques : learning to manage triggers

Although hyperhidrosis is not always related to stress, some forms are exacerbated by it, particularly on the face or hands. Stress management thus becomes an essential part of daily care.
The following techniques can be useful :

Controlled breathing, heart coherence, guided relaxation,
Mindfulness exercises, to restore a calm relationship with one’s body.
Cognitive-behavioral therapies (CBT), in cases where sweating causes social anxiety or avoidance of social interactions.

These approaches do not treat excessive sweating, but they often help reduce its emotional and social impact, and prevent the self-perpetuating effect of « sweating stress ».

Medical treatments : a targeted approach

When hygiene and adaptation measures are no longer sufficient, it is essential to consult a doctor to establish an accurate diagnosis and consider an appropriate therapeutic strategy.
Possible treatments include :

Botulinum toxin (Botox) injections : this is the standard for localized hyperhidrosis (armpits, hands, feet, forehead). Botox temporarily blocks nerve stimulation of the sweat glands, resulting in a dramatic reduction in sweating, generally for 6 to 9 months. It is a simple, well-tolerated, and repeatable treatment.
Iontophoresis : mainly used for the hands and feet, this method involves passing a low electrical current through water, temporarily blocking the activity of the sweat glands. It requires regular sessions and can be cumbersome.
Anticholinergic medications : they can be prescribed for generalized forms. Their effectiveness is variable and often limited by side effects (dry mouth, drowsiness, constipation). They are rarely prescribed as a first-line treatment for localized forms.
Surgical treatments : thoracic sympathectomy, reserved for extreme and resistant cases, involves cutting certain nerves. It is rarely used due to its invasiveness and the risk of severe compensatory sweating.

Tips for managing high-risk situations

Certain situations — business meetings, social events, public transport — create specific anxiety for people suffering from hyperhidrosis.
Here are some simple but useful solutions :

Carry a spare piece of clothing in a discreet bag.
Keep absorbent wipes in your pocket to dry your hands.
Use absorbent textile pads for the armpits, to be placed under clothing.
Keep a folding fan or a small mist spray within reach (for facial hyperhidrosis).
Avoid stimulating drinks (coffee, alcohol), which can worsen sweating in certain situations.

These actions help better anticipate uncomfortable episodes and prevent anxiety from taking over.

Common misconceptions about excessive sweating

Hyperhidrosis is still poorly understood by the general public. It is often downplayed or even trivialized, including by some people who suffer from it. This lack of awareness leads to hasty judgments, delayed diagnosis, and sometimes a certain isolation of patients. Clarifying the most common misconceptions is essential for better daily management of this condition.

« Just wash more often. » This is one of the most common misconceptions. In reality, hyperhidrosis is not related to poor hygiene, but to an overactivity of the sweat glands, independent of body cleanliness. Many patients wash several times a day, change clothes regularly, and use antiseptic or absorbent products without resolving the problem. Worse, excessive hygiene (repeated scrubbing, harsh soaps, frequent shaving) can weaken the skin and worsen irritation. What the patient needs is not a hygiene tip, but an appropriate medical solution.
« It’s psychological, it’s stress. » Stress can indeed worsen existing sweating, particularly on the face or hands. But it is not the cause. Many patients sweat at rest, at night, or without any specific anxiety-inducing situation. Primary hyperhidrosis is a functional neurological condition, unrelated to psychological fragility. Reducing sweating to a simple emotional reaction denies the physiological reality of the disorder and wrongly blames the patients.
« You just have to avoid certain foods » : while some foods can temporarily influence sweating, their role remains minor in chronic hyperhidrosis.
« There is no real solution. » This is incorrect. Today, effective treatments exist, notably botulinum toxin injections for localized forms, or iontophoresis, anticholinergics, and even surgical treatments in certain extreme cases. The important thing is to be properly guided, well informed, and managed by a doctor.

Influence of diet and lifestyle on sweating

Although hyperhidrosis is primarily a neurological or functional condition, certain dietary and behavioral factors can temporarily worsen sweating episodes. Understanding them better allows for adopting a more favorable lifestyle.

Foods with thermogenic or vasodilatory effects : certain foods stimulate heat receptors or promote vasodilation, which can increase sweating. Examples include spicy foods (chili, pepper, curry); coffee (due to its stimulating effect on the nervous system); black tea or caffeinated drinks; alcohol, which acts as a peripheral vasodilator. In cases of hyperhidrosis, it may be helpful to limit their consumption, especially before an event.
Food intolerances and histamine : some patients with hyperhidrosis notice increased sweating after meals rich in histamine (aged cheeses, cured meats, red wine). Although these cases are rare, a targeted dietary assessment can help identify individual sensitivities.
Insufficient hydration : the less we hydrate, the more sweating can increase, as the body seeks to eliminate toxins by all means. Drinking 1.5 to 2 liters of water per day is recommended, including for people who sweat heavily. Proper hydration also helps dilute sweat, thereby reducing body odor.
Sedentary lifestyle and physical condition : regular physical activity helps regulate the autonomic nervous system and strengthen stress resilience. While exercise-induced sweating may seem inconvenient, it is distinct from pathological hyperhidrosis. Conversely, a sedentary lifestyle maintains hyperreactivity of the nervous system, particularly in stressful situations or during social pressures.

Article written by Dr Romano Valeria

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON

Aesthetic-oriented medical procedures in Geneva