Women, it is purported, glow rather than sweat, but if you start melting with little or no provocation, you may suffer from, uh, excessive glowing. Ok, excessive sweating, also known as hyperhydrosis. It plagues nearly 8 million Americans and, aside from the physical annoyance, being chronically sweaty can cause anxiety, depression, and a reduced quality of life according to a study done at Saint Louis University.

Sweating itself serves several purposes. First it cools the skin and body (the efforts of one drop of sweat can drop the temperature of a liter of blood a full degree). It also lubricates the skin, which is great for areas where there is a lot of skin-on-skin contact such as the underarms. Some sweat glands, particularly those in the underarm and groin area, produce sweat that contains more fatty chemicals which, when they interact with bacteria on the skin, result in body odor. Finally, it's believed to hold certain chemicals that telegraph, well, let's call it animal magnetism.

The trouble is, people with hyperhydrosis sweat four to five times more than is needed to perform these functions. Women with hyperhydrosis can wring out as many as 186 milligrams of sweat in five minutes compared to their drier friends who eek out just 72 milligrams. And with hands being a prime location of sweat glands (sweaty handshake anyone?) the prospect of changing your clothes several times a day to keep ahead of soaking through another shirt, and the forehead being another top drenching area, finding a solution is critical. Despite just 38 percent of people with sweating problems approaching their doctor or dermatologist about the situation according to a recent survey, a doctor is a great resource for finding a remedy.

Drying agents are often the first line of defense. Using the same types of ingredients that are found in over the counter antiperspirants, by prescription formulations such as Xerac AC and Drysol have boosted levels of aluminum chloride, which essentially plug up the sweat pores. Side effects may include skin irritation and rashes. If antiperspirants don't dry things up, prescription drugs, such as Pro-Banthine can quell excess sweating.

Do-it-yourselfers may try to rely on talcum powder or cornstarch preparations, but find they simply wash away. Heavy-duty preparation and antifungal spiked products like Zeasorb-AF Antifungal Powder (great for areas where a fungal skin infection has taken root such as the feet or under breasts), can help keep you feeling dry.

The latest advance in the treatment of hyperhydrosis is the multi-talented injectable botulinum toxin, more commonly known by the brand name Botox. Known for freezing facial muscles in an effort to stall or soften the appearance of facial lines, when injected into the site of excessive sweating, Botox interrupts the "start sweating" chemical message sent out by nerve endings. In a recent study, 82 to 87 percent of the study participants treated with botulinum toxin had a significant decrease in their sweating. While it's not permanent, the benefits can last as long as 200 days.

Hyperhidrosis most commonly affects the face, underarms, palms, soles, areas under the breast, cleavage and groin areas. DERMAdoctor MED e TATE sweat control towelettes provide you with a blissfully dry existence with a single stroke of a towelette. It alleviates the need for cumbersome anti-sweating devices, ineffective topical prescriptions, drowsiness-inducing Rx meds and costly and painful Botox injections or invasive surgery.

If you've read this far and decided that, despite your fears, you fall into the normal category of perspiring people you've got a whole drugstore of options. First, to control perspiration you need to make sure you are relying on the correct product. Take a look at what you're using and make sure the label says it's an "antiperspirant" not just a "deodorant." If you don't sweat much, and odor is your primary concern, a deodorant will keep unpleasant smells at bay without reducing the amount of "glow" produced.

Most deodorants may also contain the antibacterial agent triclosan, which nixes the bacteria that cause the odor. If wetness is an issue, an antiperspirant will help mop up excess sweat thanks to the aluminum salts most contain. Aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex glycine is a recent entry into the antiperspirant marketplace. More effective than traditional blends of aluminum chloride, it is less irritating and more forgiving to delicate skin. DERMAdoctor Total NonScents Ultra-Gentle Antiperspirant keeps underarm moisture at bay.

Wearing natural fiber clothing (cotton, linen, etc), or synthetic fabrics that are designed to breathe and wick moisture away from the skin, will help keep unsavory smells to a minimum. Likewise, regular communion with soap and water is key to smelling sweet.

To control the quality of the odor, steer clear of foods that are more likely to emanate scent through the body such as garlic, onions, and curry. Particularly virulent body odor can benefit from this folk remedy if you're willing to give it a try: add a few cups of tomato juice to bath water and soak for a quarter of an hour.

Karmen B. Saran
DERMAdoctor Staff Writer

(Any topic discussed in this article is not intended as medical advice. If you have a medical concern, please check with your doctor.)

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