How to Stop Sweating

Increased sweating may be seen in a condition known as hyperhidrosis.  There are surgical and non-surgical treatments that may be used to stop sweating.  If you suffer from excessive sweating, you should consult your doctor before starting any treatment plan.  It is important to speak with your doctor because excessive sweating may be caused by some other disease process, known as "secondary" hyperhidrosis.  (Please see Primary versus Secondary Hyperhidrosis).   This section is focused on the treatment used to stop sweating that is caused by primary hyperhidrosis. 

Patients with hyperhidrosis should try to treat symptoms with non-surgical treatments before considering surgery for excessive sweating. 

Medications to Stop Sweating
There are three general groups of medications used to stop excessive sweating. They include sedatives, beta-blockers, and anticholinergics (medications that block the substances that are responsible for nervous system activity.) 

Anticholinergic medications may be helpful, but carry many side effects including dry mouth, blurred vision, and urinary retention.  These side effects often significant and not well tolerated by patients.  Benzodiazepines (like Valium) are useful in treating excessive sweating that is caused by stress, but carry the risk of dependence.

Antiperspirant Treatment for Sweating
Antiperspirants and deodorants may be used to stop sweating.  In people with excessive sweating, special antiperspirants containing aluminum chloride hexahydrate (Drysol ®) are often the first therapeutic measure recommended.  They work by blocking the opening of sweat glands.  Side effects include skin irritation, and the results are often not sufficient to stop excessive sweating.  Topical agents are most effective in individuals with light to moderate hyperhidrosis. 

Iontophoresis Treatment to Stop Sweating
Iontophoresis uses low-intensity electrical current to disrupt the function of the sweat glands.  During inotophoresis, each hand or foot is rested on a wet pad in a tray that is connected to an electrical current that passes through the pads. The currents are sent through the skin to sweat glands, which results in blocked sweat glands and reduced sweating.  Iontophoresis is a safe, non-invasive treatment and causes only minor discomfort.  The biggest drawback is that the iontophoresis process is time consuming, and must be repeated at regular intervals.  Each iontophoresis treatment may take 15 to 30  minutes to complete.  Often the intervals between treatments can be lengthened once control is achieved.  Iontophoresis has been shown to stop excessive sweating in around 85% of patients with sweatys.  (1)(2)

Botox® treatment for Excessive Sweating
Botox ® (botulinum toxin type A) is a medication that is used to stop sweating.  Botox is a toxin that blocks the function of nerves.  When the toxin is spread througout the body, paralysis will occur.  When the toxin is injected into a specific site, only the nerves in that area will be paralyzed.  Botox injection leads to decreased sweating in the area where it is injected.  One of the primary side effects is pain at the site of injection.  Injections to stop sweating tend to be less painful than when used to stop hand sweating or to stop palm sweating.  Please see our section on botox treatment to stop sweating for more information.