Excessive Sweating (Hyperhidrosis) Treatment in Denizli

Sweating is a healthy function that regulates body temperature. The problem starts when sweat, regardless of heat or activity, is heavy enough to make everyday tasks difficult: palms that soak paper, avoiding handshakes, needing to change your shirt several times a day. This is a treatable condition, and you do not have to put up with it.

What Causes Excessive Sweating?

Excessive sweating comes in two types, and the treatment plan is built on this distinction.

• Primary (focal) hyperhidrosis: sweating in specific areas, equal on both sides, that is not caused by another condition. It usually starts in childhood or adolescence, is not noticeable during sleep, and similar symptoms may run in the family.
• Secondary hyperhidrosis: sweating that appears as a result of an illness or a medicine. An overactive thyroid gland, diabetes, the menopause, infections, some antidepressants and fever-reducing medicines are among the causes. It can affect the whole body and can also occur at night.

What Are the Symptoms of Excessive Sweating?

In hyperhidrosis, sweat can increase to the point of dripping even in a cool room and at rest. The complaints people describe most are clearly visible wet patches on clothes under the arms, moisture on the palms that makes it hard to hold a pen or use a phone, and feet that slip inside shoes and develop an odour. Skin that stays damp all the time can also develop fungal infections, eczema and an unpleasant smell.

The effect of sweating on your working life, school and social relationships is also part of the assessment, and we take this effect into account when deciding on treatment.

How Is Hyperhidrosis Diagnosed?

The diagnosis is made largely from your history and the examination. We ask at what age the sweating started, which areas it affects, whether it continues at night, which medicines you take and what other symptoms you have. If any finding suggests a secondary cause, we request tests such as thyroid function and blood sugar.

When the boundaries of the sweating area need to be seen, a simple staining test using starch and iodine can be used. This test is especially helpful in planning where local treatments should be applied.

What Are the Treatment Options for Excessive Sweating?

Treatment moves forward step by step, starting with the simplest and least invasive method. When one step is not enough, we move on to the next or combine methods.

Antiperspirants

Antiperspirants containing aluminium salts such as aluminium chloride are the first step. Applying them to completely dry skin at night, when the sweat glands are less active, makes them work better. They can irritate the skin; if that happens, we adjust how often you use them together.

Iontophoresis

In iontophoresis, the hands or feet are placed in a tray of water and a weak electric current is passed through the water. It is used for sweating of the palms and soles. Regular repeat sessions are needed to keep the effect going.

Botox treatment

Botulinum toxin temporarily stops the nerve signals that stimulate the sweat glands. It is used in the armpits and on the palms; its effect lasts for months and has to be repeated. How the procedure is done and what to look out for afterwards is explained separately under Botox treatment for excessive sweating.

Oral medicines

Anticholinergic medicines reduce the signals reaching the sweat glands and can help with widespread sweating. Because they can cause side effects such as a dry mouth, constipation and blurred vision, they are used in suitable patients under a doctor's supervision.

Surgery and device treatments

In severe cases where other methods have not worked, device treatments targeting the sweat glands in the armpit, or surgery to cut the nerves supplying the sweat glands, may be considered. After nerve surgery, sweating can increase in other parts of the body; for this reason it is considered the last option and is assessed together with the relevant specialty.

What Helps with Excessive Sweating in Everyday Life?

• Choose breathable cotton clothing, and dark or light colours that hide sweat.
• If your feet sweat, change your socks during the day and wear your shoes in rotation.
• If spicy food, caffeine and alcohol make your sweating worse, cut down on them.
• Keep the areas where sweat collects dry; if redness or itching develops, mention it at your examination.

When Can Sweating Be a Sign of Another Illness?

Sweating that starts for the first time in adulthood, affects the whole body, wakes you from sleep at night or appears on one side only needs its cause investigated. If the sweating comes with fever, unexplained weight loss, palpitations or tiredness, see a doctor without waiting. If you suddenly break out in a cold sweat together with chest pain, shortness of breath or dizziness, go to the emergency department of the nearest hospital.

Excessive Sweating in Denizli: Choosing the Right Treatment Step

At our clinic in Denizli, we first establish whether your sweating is primary or secondary, then decide on the treatment step according to how severe it is and where it occurs. If Botox is being considered for the armpits or palms, the treatment is carried out by our dermatologist; you can find out more about our Botox treatments in Denizli. If the sweating has led to a skin problem such as a fungal infection or eczema, treatment of skin diseases is added to the plan as well. To book an appointment, you can reach us by phone.