Hyperhidrosis?

I'm quite sure that I have axillary hyperhidrosis, and it's really embarrassing. My mom has it too. I've been looking online for treatments, and so far I haven't really found one I'm willing to try. From what I've read, botox works well, but I'm extremely terrified of needles. I really don't want to get surgery either. Does anyone know of a non-painful, cheap way to treat this?

Hyperhidrosis?
Medically known as axillary hyperhidrosis, excessive underarm perspiration is more of a social embarrassment than a serious medical condition. Large, prominent sweat stains and constant sweating are normal signs.





Should you be suffering from this condition, rest assured that this is curable. You can wear your white shirt again sooner than you think; it doesn’t need to stay in your closet forever.


Common methods to stop excessive underarm perspiration (also known as hyperhidrosis treatments) are prescribed anti-perspirants, botox, and surgery (endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy).





1) Prescription anti-perspirants. When the best over-the-counter deodorant or anti-perspirant fails, consult your dermatologist. Dermatologists are likely to prescribe anti-perspirants based on aluminum chloride. This may be one of the best, safest cures for excessive underarm sweating.





2) Botox. Should prescription anti-perspirants prove to be ineffective, a more drastic – and expensive – measure like botox treatment may be called for. Botox is injected in the infected area to prevent the release of a chemical that stimulates sweat production. Injections are done after every 6-10 months.





Though botox is approved by the Food and Drug Administration specifically to stop excessive underarm sweating, be cautious with this method as some patients complain of moderate or severe pain when being administered shots. Also, find a qualified practitioner to ensure your safety in this procedure.





3) Surgery. Clinically known as endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS), this treatment involves inserting titanium clips in the underarm to control sweating. The entire procedure is quick and painless but can have some side effects. A common side effect is compensatory sweating, where the body sweats more in other areas to compensate for the reduced sweating in the armpits.





In addition to the above treatments, you can do the following to control and stop underarm sweating:





1) Wear loose, natural fabrics. Loose clothing will let your underarms breathe more easily. Tight-fitting clothes trap sweat and can even make sweat stains obvious.





Natural fabrics, like cotton and silk, allow sweat to dry faster than synthetic man-made fabrics like spandex and nylon.





2) Eat and drink properly. Avoid foods that can only worsen your perspiration problem like those with caffeine and alcohol. Cut down or avoid spicy foods as well as they tend to make the body sweat more.





Drinking lots of water is important to re-hydrate the body especially after excessive underarm sweating.





3) Meditate. As stress and anxiety contribute to excessive underarm sweating, a sound mind can keep it in check. Meditation also maintains the body’s hormonal balance.
Reply:Sorry to hear that. I had hyperhidrosis for many years along with arhhythmia, migraine headaches, muscle twitching,


gastrointestinal problems, and food intolerances.





I tried all the usual treatments including ETS surgery, prescriptions, antiperspirants, botox, etc. The surgery was most helpful but several years later hyperhidrosis began to return.





In my case it was due to mercury, lead, and cadmium poisoning. These could have come from old dental fillings, lead paint in houses, etc. What finally stopped it was a gluten-free diet, replacing dental amalgams with composite, and DMSA chelation.





(Mercury and other heavy metals interfere with enzymes and digestion.) You can search for any of these and find tons of


articles.





Heavy metals like mecury, lead, and cadmium won't show up on blood tests. It takes a hair or 24-hour urine test. You could


find a naturopathic doctor or order a test directly.





http://www.directlabs.com/testtypes.php#...





Some other things which help are B Vitamins and Folic Acid. I take a multivitamin that contains NO copper but has all the


other essential minerals (magnesium, zinc, selenium, manganese, molybdenum)





If you search, there are several sources which mention hyperhidrosis as a symptom of mercury poisoning. This is also related to wheat and dairy intolerance because mercury inhibits DPP-IV, the main enzyme needed to digest these foods.





http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperhidros...





http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_poi...





Sensitivity To Gluten May Result In Neurological Dysfunction; Gluten ataxia





http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/200...





http://www.aan.com/press/index.cfm?fusea...





Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition


"Sensitivity To Gluten May Result In Neurological Dysfunction"





http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/200...





Advances in Clinical Neuroscience %26amp; Rehabilitation


"Neurological associations of coeliac disease"





http://www.acnr.co.uk/acnr%20july%20aug%...


(Hyperhidrosis is on page 24)





Neurological Manifestations of Celiac Disease





www.scielo.br/pdf/anp/v62n4/a07v62n4.p...








http://www.mercola.com/2004/aug/14/exces...


(Scroll about halfway down the page)
Reply:I think both of the above answers are great and pretty thorough concerning hyperhidrosis and excessive sweating treatment... However, to be more specific, I recommend you try http://www.megadry.com for your hyperhidrosis. I've tried a lot of stuff, but it either stings or leaves stains or ruins clothes in other ways.





Sweating too much really sucks and while, for me, megadry doesn't cure my sweating problem, it has made living with it bearable. My two cents on hyperhidrosis - I hope this has been helpful.
Reply:Sure.





You can use any of the following methods:





1. Use a prescription deodorant like Drysol or pick up CertainDri.





2. look for a deodorant with a high level of Aluminum Chloride. This is the active ingredient that blocks the sweat pores.





3. Use an antibacterial soap in the shower. It does wonders for drying out the underarm skin.





4. Avoid caffeine, spicy foods, alcohol, onions and garlic from your diet.





5. Wear loose clothing.





6. Drink plenty of water to lower your body temperature.