No Sweat

Posting Date: 02/09/2004

Topical Agents

Prescription antiperspirant products are also an option for patients to control excessive sweating on their hands and feet, as well as their underarms. Highly-potent topical antiperspirants that contain 12 percent or 20 percent aluminum chloride have been found to work well for some patients. While these products are best used at night on dry skin, patients can bathe in the morning without having to reapply the medication. A common side effect reported by patients who use these powerful antiperspirants is skin irritation.

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Systemic Agents

Anticholinergics, a class of medicine that calms muscle spasms and includes drugs for depression, anxiety, and nervousness, can be taken orally to prevent sweat gland stimulation in some patients. Pills such as glycopyrrolate can be very effective in doses of 1 mg to 2 mg, taken two to three times a day. Common side effects that limit the use of this drug include overheating, blurry vision and drowsiness. In addition, glycopyrrolate may exacerbate certain urinary, gastrointestinal or cardiac problems.

"Since there can be quite a few side effects, the overall health of the patient really needs to be taken into consideration before anticholinergic medications are prescribed," said Dr. Glaser. ?Even then, patients need to report any unusual problems they experience while taking this medication to their dermatologist immediately.?

Iontophoresis

Iontophoresis is a procedure in which water conducts an electrical current from an electronic device through the skin?s surface, thus inhibiting sweat production. The technique has been used successfully since the 1950s, and studies indicate that 83 percent of people treated with tap water iontophoresis respond well. After a series of treatments, patients may need one maintenance treatment every one to four weeks to keep hyperhidrosis under control.