Hyperhidrosis Management

What is hyperhidrosis?

Hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating that interferes with your quality-of-life. 

The two general types of hyperhidrosis are:

Primary focal hyperhidrosis

This kind of hyperhidrosis usually starts in childhood or teenage years. With primary focal hyperhidrosis, you're healthy overall but have excessive sweating in one specific area. For example, you might only have hyperhidrosis in your underarm area or on the palms of your hands and the soles of your feet. 

Primary focal hyperhidrosis affects both sides of your body simultaneously, with sweating episodes occurring at least once a week. 

Secondary hyperhidrosis

This kind of hyperhidrosis usually starts in adulthood. It happens because of an underlying medical condition, such as diabetes or obesity. Secondary hyperhidrosis usually affects your whole body but may occur in one area as well.

With both types of hyperhidrosis, you have a standard number of sweat glands, but they produce far more than they should.

What are the symptoms of hyperhidrosis?

Hyperhidrosis can cause symptoms like sweat that soaks your clothes and frequent clammy skin. You may also notice changes in your skin, like discolored patches. People with hyperhidrosis may develop skin complications like bacterial and fungal infections. 

When do I need hyperhidrosis management?

If excessive sweating intrudes in your daily life in any way, or if it wakes you up at night, it's time to seek expert help. Hyperhidrosis is easily treatable, and the Northern Virginia Internal Medicine and Pediatrics team specializes in hyperhidrosis management for all ages.

How does hyperhidrosis management work?

Your providers collect medical history and symptom information to determine the cause of your hyperhidrosis. If you have an underlying cause like diabetes, managing that disease is the first step. 

If you're generally healthy but struggling with excessive underarm sweating, QBREXZA® can be a great option. To use QBREXZA, remove a pre-moistened cloth from its protective packaging and apply it to underarms once a day. 

QBREXZA works by preventing neurotransmitter signaling in your underarm sweat glands, which in turn dramatically reduces sweat production there. It’s safe for adults and children 9 years and up.

Other options to curb excessive sweating may include oral medications, prescription antiperspirants, injections, electromagnetic sweat gland deactivation, and surgery to remove sweat glands for the most severe cases.

Find out how hyperhidrosis management can help you feel better by calling Northern Virginia Internal Medicine and Pediatrics or booking an appointment online.