Underarm excessive sweating, also calledaxillary hyperhidrosis is an uncontrollable, annoying, embarrassing, and isolating problem (to say the least). From the discomfort of sweat running down your sides, to the embarrassment of obvious sweat stains, to the fear of being "discovered," uncontrollable underarm sweating can feel like it's ruining your life.
But there is good news: Safe treatments for excessive sweating are available, the treatments work, and you have a number of options to choose from--or combine.
The first line-of-defense against excessive underarm sweating are antiperspirants. Antiperspirants are non-invasive, topical (applied on top of your skin), and available in a number of different strengths including "regular" over-the-counter products, "clinical strength" over-the-counter products, and perhaps even prescription antiperspirants. Most physicians recommend that you start with the mildest formulations ("regular" over-the-counter products) and if they don't give enough symptom relief, work your way up to the stronger clinical strength formulations and then, perhaps prescription antiperspirants.
How you use antiperspirants is also incredibly important. Check out our information available about this, but the most important take-aways are: 1. apply antiperspirants at night before bed and 2. apply to totally dry skin to avoid irritation.
A wonderful addition to the wardrobe of anyone with underarm sweating (excessive or not!) are absorbent undershirts, absorbent tee shirts, absorbent dress shirts, and absorbent underarm pads.
Another new and innovative addition to our treatment options, miraDry, is a completely different type of approach to eliminating axillary hyperhidrosis (underarm excessive sweating) and was cleared by the US FDA in January 2011. This is the first novel treatment option approved by the US governing body in nearly 7 years! As of April 2012, clinical data from two study sites affiliated with the University of British Columbia showed miraDry successful in reducing underarm sweat in over 90% of patients through the final study visit that was 12 months after treatment. The average sweat reduction was 82%. And, patients rated their satisfaction with the treatment at 90%. miraDry has been developed by Miramar Labs of Sunnyvale, California. While miraDry is promising news for those who suffer with underarm sweating, it cannot be used to treat excessive sweating in any other area--yet. (we have high hopes!)
If antiperspirants don't give you the relief you need and miraDry is not in your budget, your next option may be Botox (also known as onabotulinumtoxinA). An experienced medical professional can inject Botox into your underarms to dramatically reduce sweating. In one clinical study involving 322 patients with severe underarm sweating, 81% of the patients receiving injections achieved more than 50% reduction in sweating. And, 50% of the patients had their excessive sweating relieved for at least 201 days (nearly 7 months). Some, for over a year!
The use of miraDry and Botox for the treatment of hyperhidrosis is most effective when performed by a physician who has received special training and who has experience with the procedure.
While nearly all people find that antiperspirants, Botox injections, miraDry or a combination of these hyperhidrosis treatments are enough to manage even the most severe case of excessive sweating in the underarms, there are those who seek a surgical approach to treat their axillary hyperhidrosis.
Please note that in most cases we do not recommend endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS) for excessive underarm sweating. While ETS is perhaps the most commonly discussed, (as well as criticized) surgery for hyperhidrosis, there are other, far less risky, and far more predictable, options for people who suffer from excessive sweating of the underarms.