Don’t Sweat It.

Our veterinarian explains how to control your serious sweats.

Courtesy of Flickr

An unspeakable problem: sweat. Damp hands. Dripping underarms. Soaked socks. You shower every day, tried all the deodorants in the drugstore and only wear absorbent fabrics like cotton next to your skin. But it’s not enough. Hyperhydrosis, or excessive sweating, affects a few sad souls who wish they didn’t have it. They risk embarrassing handshakes and problems with odour & wetness that cramp their style. So how is it treated?

First, the obvious: antiperspirants, which contain aluminium chloride hexahydrate. They should be applied at night on dry skin covering the affected areas (armpits, hands, feet) then washed off in the morning. Start with Secret Clinical strength or Drysol Mild but if not effective enough move up to regular Drysol or Certain Dri (ask the pharmacist). If they are irritating your skin then reduce the frequency of use.

Next there are methods that require more investment.

You won’t believe it, but you can actually electrocute your hands with an Iontophoresis machine every other day for 5-10 treatments (then every week or two). These machines are sometimes found at physio clinics, dermatologists clinics or you can invest in your own if you have $1000 to spare. (West Woodbridge Surgical)

You can also try Botox injections to the area that is causing concern. This can last for 4-12 months and is often available on drug insurance plans. (OHIP won’t cover the fee of the doctor to inject it though). This is good for armpits but can be painful for hands and feet.

Lastly, those armpit sweat glands can be surgically removed – a last hope but permanent solution to a sticky problem.

***If you’d like a free sample of Perspirex, contact us at cowgirls@mushypony.com and we’ll ship one over to ya!***

– The Veterinarian.