Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis)

A list of things to do and things not to do if you are suffering with excess sweating.

Things to do

• Wear loose-fitting clothes to minimise signs of sweating
• Wear socks that absorb moisture (e.g. 100% cotton) and change your socks at least twice a day if possible
• Wear leather shoes and try to wear different shoes on consecutive days

Things to avoid doing

• Wear tight clothes or man-made fabrics – for example, nylon
• Wear enclosed boots or sports shoes that may cause your feet to sweat more
  activities which might make your sweating worse such as drinking alcohol or eating spicy food

How your pharmacist can help

You can also see your local pharmacist about excessive sweating. They can recommend over the counter items, such as:

• Strong antiperspirants in place of deodorant
• Armpit or sweat shields that can help protect your clothing
• Foot powders if you sweat excessively from the feet
• Soaps and products that are gentler on your skin

When to consider seeing your GP

Consider visiting your GP if you are excessively sweating, and:

• The things you can do for yourself aren’t helping you
• It has been problematic for at least 6 months
• It stops you from getting on with your daily activities
• It happens at least once a week
• It happens at night (you’re having night sweats)
• You have a family history of excessive sweating
• You’re taking medication for another condition

Your GP may refer you for tests if they think another condition may be causing your sweating.

Treating severe excessive sweating

If there’s no obvious cause for your sweating, and nothing seems to be helping, then you may be referred to a specialist (dermatologist).

They may recommend other treatments, such as:

• medication
• treating areas with a weak electric current passed through water or on a wet pad (iontophoresis)

Some patients may not be eligible for the treatment listed above. You can find more information on your local policies here.