Of course you don’t want to swap one health issue for another, potentially more dangerous one - so what do you do? Should you just accept your condition and all the social embarrassment that comes with it? Well, thanks to good old Mother Nature - there just might be happier solution.

A number of natural remedies are becoming increasing popular with sufferers of excessive sweating. Although it seems to be the case that there is no single guaranteed solution - isn’t this also true of chemical treatments? But since these are natural remedies, you can try all or any of them without worrying about side-effects. In this way you can safely keep trying and testing until you find the cure that is right for you. So, here are just a few popular alternatives to those nasty chemical-laden products:

Apple Cider Vinegar & Honey. Mix 2 tsp of (non-acidic) apple cider vinegar with 2 tsp of thick (not runny) raw, organic, honey. Take three times a day on an empty stomach.

Magnesium supplements. These have been known to be helpful in stopping excessive sweating. However, they can have a laxative effect, so you might want to start on a low dose of 400-500 mgm, twice a day. (Magnesium is also helpful for calming the nerves, relieving depression and reducing stress and sleep problems.)

Sage. Boil a few sage leaves for 10 minutes in 1 1/2 cups of water then drink first thing in the morning. If one cup a day doesn’t work, try another one a few hours later. Also try adding sage to food.

Baking soda. Combine about a teaspoon of the baking soda and corn starch and mix with rubbing alcohol to form a paste. Add a couple drops of a nicely scented essential oil and it will smell good too! Apply before going to bed, and rinse off in the morning.

Tea soak. Brew a nice strong pot of black tea, let it cool, pour it into a plate of some sort, and soak hands/feet for 3-5 minutes. (Note: soaking too long could turn your skin brown.) For underarms, just get some tea on your hand and rub, let dry, rub again. You can also try this with sage tea.

It’s only natural that you want to cure your excessive sweating but equally you don’t want to set yourself up with other health concerns. So why not try Nature’s Way? Many people have already used these alternative remedies to free themselves from the embarrassment of hyperhidrosis - and you can too. Naturally.

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One instance where exercise can help reduce excessive sweating is when your condition is related to toxins in your body. Sweating is one way the body tries to eliminate these toxins and this is a natural process. However, this is probably little comfort if your body sweats out the toxins as you try to go about your daily life. So wouldn’t it be better to give your body a little help in getting rid of its toxins during regular exercise sessions? This way, you take the pressure of your body to sweat them out during less appropriate times.

Another occasion when exercise can improve excessive sweating symptoms is when the condition is linked to your weight. There is a connection between being overweight and an increased level of sweating. It follows then, that as you get closer to your ideal weight, you will automatically reduce symptoms of being overweight (one of which is excessive sweating). If you’re not sure if your symptoms are linked to you weight - and you are overweight - losing weight will be a healthy experiment which just might deliver the answer to your problem. (Plus you will get to enjoy all the other benefits that come with losing excess weight, such as more confidence, energy, fitness etc…)

Hyperhydrosis, or excessive sweating, occurs because of a malfunction somewhere in the body. Part of the problem can be knowing what triggers this malfunction. Whatever the cause, though, if you strive for a healthy and well-functioning body, there’s a good chance that this will effect whatever is making you sweat excessively. So, by ensuring you get regular exercise, by keeping your body fit and active, you are helping it to work more efficiently. And the better you look after our body, the better it will be at looking after you (and the less likely it is to let you down). Exercise is a great way to show your body that you care.

Another benefit of a fit and healthy body is an efficient metabolism. This can be doubly effective for sufferers of excessive sweating. Firstly, your body will burn more calories, even when resting, thus helping you to lose excess weight. Secondly, excessive sweating can be a symptom of food intolerances or nutrition issues. So, if you strengthen your digestive system, your body is better able to cope with these intolerances and thus less likely to ‘malfunction’.

Exercise is also a notorious stress-buster. So if your excessive sweating symptoms are stress-related, exercise can help to release your residual stress. This will be very beneficial for your health but also, when you deal with your stress in a positive way, you’re better placed to cope with stressful situations in the future. This should reduce any tendencies to over-react and the subsequent symptoms that occur (i.e. sweating).

There’s another great reason to make exercise part of your solution to excessive sweating - it makes you feel good! Exercise causes the brain to release endorphins into your body. These hormones make you feel happy. This is why some people get addicted to exercise - they love the endorphin rush. But also, endorphins, and being happy, are good for your health. So you get an overall boost to your well-being that has positive effects long after you finish exercising.

Finally, it is socially acceptable to get hot and sweaty during a workout. Exercise makes everyone sweat. In any gym you will see people sweating profusely - without worrying what others will think. There is even a theory that fit people sweat more than unfit people. So during exercise is one time you can stop worrying about how much you sweat. Then you can relax and know that you are improving your health, your happiness and there’s a good chance you’ll be reducing your excessive sweating problem too.

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Excessive sweating, or hyperhydrosis, affects 2-4% of the population. If you are affected, you are probably already miserably familiar with the symptoms. What is often less obvious is the underlying reason for those symptoms. The fact is, there are a number of possible causes.

The first thing to understand is that there are two types of hyperhydrosis. The first - primary hyperhydrosis - often begins in childhood or adolescence. One characteristic of this type is that it is ‘symmetric’ i.e. affects both right and left sides of the body simultaneously. It occurs on very specific areas of the body, most commonly hands, feet, underarms, head or face. Sufferers of primary hyperhydrosis don’t usually have episodes of excessive sweating when they are asleep.

If you believe you have this type of hyperhydrosis, the good news is that it is not usually a result of being overweight. However, the bad news is that it is an actual medical condition, usually a result of genetics. If your family has a history of excessive sweating, that could explain your symptoms. But, there is hope! There are treatments available for this type and a good resource is <a href=http://www.sweathelp.org>SweatHelp.org</a>.

The other type of hyperhydrosis is secondary hyperhydrosis. This is where the excessive sweating is a symptom, or secondary, to another issue. To help to identify this type, sufferers usually experience sweating on a larger, more generalised area of the body. They also experience their symptoms during sleep.

In the case of secondary hyperhydrosis, the cause could be another health issue or a side-effect of medication. It could be the result of menopause, stress, alcoholism, hyperthyroidism etc… In fact the list of conditions that have excessive sweating as a side-effect is quite extensive. But this list does include obesity and being overweight.

So how do you know whether your weight is a factor? Well, if you are overweight, the only way to know for sure if your weight is the cause of your excessive sweating symptoms is by losing weight and monitoring the effects. If you lose weight and the symptoms lessen or even stop - you will have identified the cause of your excessive sweating. Obviously then the challenge becomes to maintain a healthy weight and/or lose more weight. However, at least you have gained the awareness of your condition, which can be half the battle.

Since hyperhydrosis is a recognised medical condition, if you believe you sweat more than is ‘normal’, it’s a good idea to seek advice from your doctor. But regardless of medical advice (recommended medications and surgeries have had mixed results for sufferers), if you believe your symptoms are linked to your weight, that’s a great incentive to adopt a diet and exercise regime. If you are overweight, a healthy weight-loss programme will not have any negative side-effects and it may just resolve your excessive sweating problems. But even if your weight is not directly responsible for your hyperhydrosis, by becoming fit and well, you will improve your overall health and self-esteem - which may inadvertently relieve your symptoms.

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Anxiety-induced hyperhydrosis (excessive sweating) is a cruel Catch 22 situation. When you get anxious, you sweat excessively, which makes you even more anxious - so you sweat more. If you are a sufferer of this type of hyperhydrosis, you probably know this vicious circle all too well. Ironically, the fact that you know you should aim to be less anxious is yet another potential source of anxiety. So, how do you break this distressing chain of events?

Unlike other forms of hyperhydrosis where the cause is genetic or a biological reaction, for anxiety-induced hyperhydrosis, the solution could lie in the same place as the problem - in your head. Though it undoubtedly has physical results, anxiety is a mental reaction. It occurs because your brain is telling you that you are under stress or pressure. But this fact is good news because the brain is infinitely ‘trainable’. You can train it to react differently under certain conditions. This process is not without work but it is possible to control your anxiety and once you do, the symptom of excessive sweating should automatically disappear.

So how do you train your brain not to get anxious? Well, one of the first places to start is in identifying any common triggers. Perhaps you get anxious when talking in public. If you do, take heart that this is extremely common. It is also highly curable. Many successful people will tell you that they also used to be terrified of public speaking - but they overcame that fear, which means you can too. In fact, whatever the trigger for your anxiety, there will be someone who has overcome it and can show you how. Once you’ve identified what ‘sets you off’ your job then becomes to find out how to deal with it in such a way that you stay in calm and in control.

If you can’t identify any particular occasions that induce your anxiety, you can still take some positive steps to reduce or eliminate it. You do this by working on your confidence or self-esteem. Some lucky people are born with confidence. Many of us, though, have to work at it. But it is a quality than can be learned or acquired. Perhaps all it takes is a new wardrobe, or a trimmer figure, or knowing someone loves you. One great tip is in focusing daily on your successes, however small. There are many routes to a renewed confidence and pursuing these will boost your self-esteem and reduce your anxieties and subsequently, your sweating.

Increasing your confidence will reduce the frequency of anxious episodes but life will always throw up a few ‘challenges’. So, it can pay to learn how to cope when unavoidable stressful situations arise. One popular and effective way of doing this in breathing techniques. There are ways of breathing which work on your physiology to reinstate your calm. Yoga is one way of learning how to use the breath to affect the body, but there are many others. (Though yoga does have the added advantage of instilling an inner serenity that naturally reduces anxiety). It is worth learning and practicing these techniques as they have proven to be very effective for reducing stress, anxiety and their related symptoms (i.e. excessive sweating).

Another, less mainstream solution to anxiety-induced sweating is working on your beliefs. If you believe that you are an anxiety-induced excessive-sweater, that will tend to become a self-fulfilling prophecy. If you can, somehow, convince yourself that you are not, you may well see your symptoms disappear. But how do you possibly convince yourself of that, when faced with all the evidence to the contrary? One way is in affirmations.

By repeating positive statements about your ability to cope and stay calm, you will eventually convince your subconscious that it is true. To turbo-charge this process, you could even practice visualising yourself staying calm (and sweat-free) in situations that usually get you flustered. Though most of the proof of this technique is anecdotal - what have you got to lose? Try it and you might, like many others, be amazed and delighted with the results.

Whether you opt for tried-and-tested techniques, or you’re so desperate you’ll try anything, it can be reassuring to know that there is much you can do to improve your condition. Sometimes, just taking this step - seizing control of your life and your excessive sweating symptoms - can be a massive leap forward in reducing your anxiety. You don’t need to be at the mercy of your body and its reaction to anxiety. You can, one way or another, overcome the triggers and learn to handle your life whilst remaining cool, calm and collected. And dry.

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Often, though, for some sufferers of hyperhydrosis, regular anti-perspirants are inadequate. So, naturally, they seek stronger and stronger versions in a bid to find a product that will reduce their excessive sweating. Though these extra-strength products are available (on prescription) and often they do get results - does their effectiveness come at a price? Are these powerful anti-perspirants in any way harmful?

To ensure you aren’t trading one health issue for another one, it pays to be cautious about what you are putting on your body. After all, the skin is the largest organ in your body and whatever you apply to it gets into your system. This is even more important when you are applying a certain product daily, even more than once per day. For the sake of your overall health, it is essential that you ensure that your anti-perspirant is first doing no harm.

Anti-perspirants work by plugging the sweat glands in your body. They do this with an active ingredient that reacts with your sweat ducts to form a superficial plug just under the surface of your skin, which temporarily stops sweat from escaping. These active ingredients are usually metallic salts, the most commonly used ones are aluminium-based. Extra-strength anti-perspirant have a higher percentage of active ingredient, i.e. a higher dose of aluminium.

Although we have been exposed to aluminium for a number of years, in the form of cooking utensils etc., the applications of aluminium to the skin, via anti-perspirants, is a relatively recent development. The US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) considers aluminium-based anti-perspirants to be safe and effective, otherwise they would not allow them to be marketed. However they do advise caution for consumers with kidney disease.

So, the official line is that extra strength anti-perspirants are safe, as long as the recommended levels are not exceeded. However, there have been recent concerns about a link between aluminium and brain disorders, more specifically Alzheimer’s disease. It appears that autopsies on those with Alzheimer’s showed higher levels of aluminium than those without the disease. Equally though, there have been scientific proposals that counter this idea.

So, it would appear the jury is still out on if there are any harmful effects of aluminium in anti-perspirants. Naturally, this is a concern for users of anti-perspirants, especially if you are considering the extra-strength products. It is impossible to rule out any possible side-effects and the fact that it is recommended that you cut back on use once the anti-perspirant has taken effect, suggests that there is reason to be cautious.

However, it’s a fact of life that any medication comes with a small risk of side-effects, but this should be weighed up against the distress you encounter from your symptoms. So, whilst it pays to do your research, ultimately you have to make a decision based on what you are comfortable applying to your skin, alongside your need for relief from excessive sweating.

Also, it is worth bearing in mind that many people do find success with over-the-counter products, which seem to be a smaller risk. So, it’s a good idea to explore the numerous different brands, as they all react slightly differently with each person’s body chemistry.

And remember that varying applications can improve your results. For example, anti-perspirants tend to be more effective when applied at night, as opposed to in the morning (although applying on both occasions seems to be the ideal). Also, make sure your skin is completely dry (and not irritated) before you apply the anti-perspirant. If necessary use a cool blow-drier. (Obviously these guidelines are general and you should always follow the product’s specific instructions.) If you are nervous about the extra-strength anti-perspirants, persevering with the lower dose products may eventually deliver the results you want, without the worry of harmful side-effects.

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Many however, might stop short of acupuncture. In our Western culture, many of us steer well clear of anything that involves needles. So as a potential cure, acupuncture may have limited appeal. Though it is far less invasive than surgery and has fewer potential side-effects than aluminium-based anti-perspirants or Botox injections, acupuncture still has a bad press. Images of prone figures covered in needles tend to induce fear and distrust rather than hope.

Yet acupuncture has had extremely successful results in the treatment of excessive sweating (hyperhydrosis). Many cases report that acupuncture has radically alleviated their symptoms and some claim to be completely cured. And although, it does involve the manipulation of needles on the skin, regular users of the treatment do not regard it as painful.

So, how does it work? Acupuncture is an ancient Oriental medicine that uses fine needles to stimulate ‘acu-points’, special places along your meridians (your body’s energy channels). In the sophisticated manipulation of these points, the treatment aims to correct any mis-aligned energy channels that are causing illness, pain or suffering.

For sufferers of excessive sweating, an acupuncture practitioner can target the sympathetic nervous system (which controls sweat gland function). In addition, they can address points that deal with stress or enhance relaxation. In this way the treatment can reduce anxiety and promote confidence and emotional balance - factors which often influence the onset of sweating episodes.

An acupuncture treatment will be preceded by an in-depth series of questions. In Chinese medicine, sweat is a useful barometer of disharmony in the body. So, by interviewing the patient, the practitioner can obtain clues as to why and how the excessive sweating occurs and address the treatment accordingly. The following acupuncture treatments will then be tailor-made to address the individual’s patterns and symptoms.

However, since acupuncture is a holistic treatment, it can also be helpful in cases of excessive sweating when the cause is unidentified. Rather than just targeting a specific area which may or may not be the root cause of the problem, acupuncture treats the body as a whole. It’s possible, then, that the root cause can be rebalanced in the course of the overall treatment. The malfunction (which causes the sweating) can be diffused, even if it was never identified.

Acupuncture is a time-tested, natural and non-invasive remedy which requires no recovery time. Moreover, in the treatment of excessive sweating symptoms - it works! So, even though your natural reaction may be to recoil form the idea - as a painless, harmless and effective treatment for excessive sweating, it may just be worth considering. If you can get past any initial reluctance, acupuncture could well be the cure you’ve been so desperately looking for.

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One of the most notable new uses of Botox is in treating excessive sweating, or hyperhidrosis. In this process, Botox is injected into the local area (e.g. armpit) where it reacts with the nervous system to effectively ‘turn off’ the body’s sweat glands. For sufferers of excessive sweating, this sounds like a miracle cure. But if you are considering Botox injections as an answer to your excessive sweating problems there are probably only two things you want to know: Does it work? And is it safe?

Well, firstly, the results of Botox treatments for hyperhidrosis seem to be good news. In one clinical study involving 322 patients with severe underarm sweating, 81% of the patients receiving botulinum toxin injections achieved a greater than 50% reduction in sweating. And, 50% of the patients had their excessive sweating relieved for at least 201 days - nearly 7 months according to SweatHelp.org.

As for the issue of safety, according to the International Hyperhidrosis Society (one of the more reputable excessive sweating resources), Botox was approved by the US Food & Drug Administration in 2004, as a treatment for underarm hyperhidrosis. The IHS states: “BOTOX is produced by Allergan, Inc., of Irvine, California, and it is the most studied brand of botulinum toxin in the world. BOTOX has been available for over a decade and has been used to treat more than 1 million patients with various conditions, including spasticity and movement disorders. With FDA approval, the United States joins more than 20 other countries that have already approved the use of BOTOX for excessive sweating.”

They further report Botox injections to be an effective and successful treatment for excessive sweating, when antiperspirants have had little or no success. Though there is a degree if discomfort during the administration, i.e. the injections, it appears to be an increasing popular and promising treatment. More importantly, though, is their assessment that it is safe.

However, there is still reasonable cause for concern, or at least caution. The protein from which Botox is produced is actually highly toxic. But given the extent of testing and its increasing use in the medical world, it would appear that this is a managed risk. Since there is the potential for harm if used incorrectly, it is essential that you seek only reputable medical guidance - if possible a doctor well-trained specifically in the treatment of excessive sweating. (The IHS has a Physician Finder tool on their website to ensure you get safest treatment form only reputable doctors.)

It is also worth noting that the treatment is not permanent. Any effects will gradually wear off, so an ongoing programme of treatment will be necessary (The length of time effects last ranges from seven to sixteen months.) Obviously, the cost implications of this should be considered.

Ultimately, then, Botox could be a good solution for those desperately seeking relief from excessive sweating problems. It appears to be effective and given the increasing medical uses and government approval, it is regarded as safe. Of course only you can decide it if is right for you.

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Yoga is an ancient discipline which combines breathing and movement. The aim of yoga is to harmonise your body and correct any imbalances. So it’s possible that the regular practice of yoga could address the underlying cause of your symptoms - even if you don’t know what the cause is.

Although most yoga is a slow and gentle practice, is it still a valid form of exercise and as such, brings about the positive benefits that come from any physical activity. These include a more efficient metabolism, improved overall fitness and the release of endorphins. All of these effects combine to make you feel good - physically, mentally and emotionally. These benefits will continue even after the session and help your body perform better, heal itself and boost your self-esteem.

Like all exercise, yoga is also an effective stress-buster. But when it comes to hyperhidrosis, yoga has an additional advantage. Regular yoga practice is great at inducing inner calm and emotional stability. So, if your excessive sweating is related to stress or anxiety, yoga could help immensely in reducing those occasions when you feel stressed. It will also help to reduce the severity of your anxiety when unavoidable stressful situations arise.

Although yoga can be a powerful exercise, it isn’t normally associated with the frantic and sweaty workout of more aerobic exercises like step, circuits or spinning. For this reason, yoga classes may appeal more to those who want to avoid public situations where they are likely to perspire heavily.

However, there are forms of yoga that are more vigorous and fast-paced. Ashtanga is one of these (and Madonna’s exercise of choice). There is also a type of yoga called Bikram yoga (or Hot Yoga) which is performed in heated rooms - precisely to encourage your body to sweat more. But this could actually be a good thing for sufferers of excessive sweating. Firstly, everyone will be soaked through, so you needn’t feel self-conscious. And secondly, sweating is one way the body tries to expel toxins. So, if you ‘work up a sweat’ during your exercise regime, you will be speeding up this elimination. Then your body is under less pressure to ‘sweat out’ the toxins the rest of the time.

Yoga is far more than a series of random positions. The stretching, twisting, holding and breathing all have specific effects of different parts of your body. You can affect not just your muscles but your organs and immune system, too. So yoga is particularly effective at stimulating the digestive system. This is useful for sufferers of hyperhidrosis that is linked to weight issues, food intolerance or poor diet. Also, there are certain positions that help your body flush out toxins. This is helpful if your excessive sweating is a symptom of toxin-overload.

In short, yoga will improve your overall fitness, detoxify your system, boost your wellbeing and stabilise your anxiety. Since it addresses many of the health issues that lead to excessive sweating, yoga can be an effective route to not only reducing the symptoms, but also treating the cause.

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Firstly, there are a number of food and drinks that are notorious for increasing your body temperature and/or making your sweat. These are; spicy foods, processed foods, garlic, red meat, high fructose corn syrup, alcohol and caffeine. Greasy or deep fried foods also put pressure on your digestive system which can increase sweating problems.

Luckily, there are also a number of foods that have been shown to reduce excessive sweating. Fruit is a great source of fibre and vitamins which can be beneficial in improving both your immune and digestive systems as well as your overall health. Similarly, complex B Vitamins (found in whole-grain foods, fruit and vegetables) also help your body to eliminate waste products efficiently. Eating foods that support your health can greatly reduce imbalances, which can lead to problems such as excessive sweating. Not only that, you will look and feel great too!

Chamomile tea has been cited as a good way to reduce sweating. It also helps you to relax, so if your excessive sweating is triggered by stress or anxiety it could be doubly helpful. Also, drinking herbal teas is another way of increasing your water intake. Similarly, as fruit and vegetables have a high water-content, they are another easy way to get more water into your system.

There is a belief that drinking more water will make you sweat more. Whilst it’s possible that drinking tap-water may increase the toxins in your body, (which stress your system) drinking filtered or mineral water can be beneficial. In fact, for health reasons, it’s important that you drink plenty of water. Your body needs water to survive - even more so if you sweat. So, if you suffer from excessive sweating, you should try to replace your body’s lost fluids to maintain your health.

Some experts even recommend a water fast as treatment for excessive sweating. This involves eating and drinking nothing but water for a period of time. The result is to allow your body to flush out accumulated toxins. Since sweating is one way the body naturally gets rid of toxins, by detoxifying your system, it follows that you will automatically sweat less. However, any extreme fasting or detoxing should always be undertaken with medical supervision. 

Although there are many causes of excessive sweating, one common cause is obesity or being overweight. In this instance, diet will play a pivotal role in excessive sweating problems. If you believe your excessive sweating could be linked to your weight, this can be a great incentive to eat a healthy diet. If you know certain foods will make you put on weight which will increase the sweating symptoms that make you miserable, you are more likely to avoid them.

Excessive sweating can also be a symptom of food intolerances. If you eat food that your body can’t tolerate, it puts your immune system under stress. A side-effect of this is increased sweating. The most effective way to identify these is a food diary. When you begin to closely monitor your diet and notice which foods cause reactions, it becomes easy to identify the ones that increase your excessive sweating problems. You can then make an informed decision as to whether to eliminate them.

It may seem obvious but the temperature of what you eat and drink can affect your body temperature. For example, drinking hot drinks makes you feel hot, whilst cold drinks make you feel cooler. If your excessive sweating is linked to your body temperature, it makes sense to opt for cooler drinks - jut as long as they’re not sugary, caffeinated or alcoholic.

So there are a number of dietary changes you can make to reduce symptoms of excessive sweating. However, regardless of any specific tips, making more nutritious food/drink choices will improve your health and wellbeing. This will have an effect on your self-esteem and confidence which will naturally have a positive effect on reducing your excessive sweating - so you can get on with enjoying your life.

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There is such a vast array of products available, these days, it can be difficult to know where to turn. For the average person, the huge choice can be confusing. But for sufferers of excessive sweating, it can be bewildering. For a start, you’re not just looking for an okay product that works reasonably well - you need a highly effective solution. So what is the best product to relieve symptoms of excessive sweating or hyperhidrosis?

Firstly, it is useful to know the difference between anti-perspirant and deodorant. The job of a deodorant is to cover up the smell of sweat. Although this can eliminate one of the embarrassing aspects of excessive sweating (i.e. body odour), it will do little to reduce the amount of sweat. So you will still be left with the dreaded sweat stains or wet clothing. Plus, some deodorants contain alcohol which can initially stimulate sweating.

An anti-perspirant, on the other hand, is more effective in actually reducing the amount of sweat released by the body. Though anti-perspirants vary in form, gel or wax based etc., they all contain an active ingredient. This is usually a metallic salt, e.g. aluminium-based compounds), which acts as a ‘sweat-blocker’. These salts work by causing the cells in sweat glands to swell with water. This squeezes the ducts closed so sweat can’t get out. And since many anti-perspirants also contain deodorants, this should be the more effective option for combating sweat.

But how effective an option is it? Does it come close to dealing with the symptoms of excessive sweating? Well, for anyone suffering from hyperhidrosis, anti-perspirants are often the first resort. And, happily, for many, they do work, to a degree. Their effectiveness depends, however, on the severity of the condition and the strength of the anti-perspirant. Over-the-counter products are restricted to lower levels of active ingredients. These may be suitable for underarm sweating but less so for sweating of the hands and feet. Plus they may be too strong for the sensitive skin on the face.

For those who find the over-the-counter anti-perspirants ineffective, it’s possible to get stronger ones on prescription. And since hyperhidrosis is a recognised medical condition, enlisting the advice and support of your doctor could be a very useful step.

Whichever products you choose, however, the effects are only temporary. Anti-perspirants need to be applied at regular intervals. There are also varying results depending on when and how you apply them. For example, some claim that applying the anti-perspirant in the evening in more effective than in the morning (although applying both times is considered ideal.) Also, it is important to apply the anti-perspirant to dry skin which is not irritated. (Though it goes without saying that for prescription products, you should follow the enclosed instructions.)

So, it’s possible that anti-perspirants could be a solution to your excessive sweating problems. Despite their limitations, they are a relatively safe, cheap and easy option. Even if you have to experiment with strengths, brands, applications etc., they are definitely worth considering before pursuing more complex treatments such as Botox injections, Iontopheris or surgery.

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