How I cured my hyperhidrosis naturally?

If you suffer from excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis), you know how embarrassing and uncomfortable it can be. The constant sweat stains, having to change clothes multiple times a day, and feeling anxious in social situations are just some of the issues caused by hyperhidrosis.

While there are prescription medications and surgical procedures available to treat hyperhidrosis, these options can be expensive and come with side effects. As someone who suffered from severe underarm sweating for years, I was desperate to find a natural cure.

In this article, I’ll share how I was able to cure my hyperhidrosis through natural remedies, lifestyle changes, and alternative therapies. Here’s an outline of what I’ll cover:

What causes excessive sweating?

Before finding a cure, it’s important to understand what causes excessive sweating in the first place. Here are some of the main factors behind hyperhidrosis:

  • Overactive sweat glands – People with hyperhidrosis have overactive sweat glands that produce more sweat than necessary. The excess sweat is not related to heat or exercise.
  • Genetics – Many people inherit hyperhidrosis from a parent or other family member. It is due to a genetic predisposition for overactive sweat glands.
  • Hormonal changes – Hormonal fluctuations during puberty, menopause, pregnancy, and other times can trigger excessive sweating.
  • Nervous system disorder – In rare cases, hyperhidrosis is caused by an underlying neurological condition.
  • Side effect of medication – Some medications like hormonal drugs, antidepressants, and blood pressure medications may cause increased sweating as a side effect.

Natural cures and home remedies I tried

Once I understood what was causing my excessive sweating, I was ready to start trying every natural remedy and old wives tale in the book. Here are some of the home remedies and DIY treatments I experimented with:

  • Apple cider vinegar – Drinking vinegar or applying it directly to the armpits can help balance pH and reduce sweat.
  • Sage tea – Drinking sage tea acts as an anti-perspirant and antimicrobial to cut down on bacteria growth.
  • Baking soda – Creating a paste of baking soda and water to spread on the armpits neutralizes odor and absorbs moisture.
  • Witch hazel – This natural astringent constricts pores and slows sweat production when applied to the skin.
  • Tea tree oil – Containing antibacterial and anti-fungal properties, diluted tea tree oil reduces sweat and odor.
  • Cornstarch and arrowroot powder – Sprinkling these absorbent powders on the skin soaks up excess moisture.
  • Oatmeal baths – Colloidal oatmeal creates a film on the skin that temporarily protects sweat glands.
  • Potato slices – Placing raw potato slices under the arms at night can draw out toxins and reduce dampness.
  • Aloe vera – The cooling and antibacterial gel from an aloe leaf can curb excessive sweating when applied topically.

I spent many weeks trying these home remedies one by one. While some provided minor relief, none of them fully cured my hyperhidrosis. The results were temporary at best.

Lifestyle changes and preventive measures

In addition to home remedies, I made several adjustments to my daily lifestyle in hopes of stopping sweat at the source. Here are some of the lifestyle tweaks I implemented:

  • Wore breathable fabrics – I ditched restrictive synthetic fabrics for loose, breathable materials like cotton and linen that wouldn’t trap sweat.
  • Used clinical strength antiperspirant – I upgraded from normal drugstore deodorant to prescription strength antiperspirant containing aluminum chloride.
  • Shaved armpits – Removing underarm hair helped cut down on trapped moisture and bacteria buildup.
  • Avoided triggers – I stayed away from spicy foods, caffeine, stress, and other triggers that seemed to worsen sweating.
  • Used sweat pads – I used small sweat pads in the armpits of shirts to help absorb moisture before it soaked through.
  • Improved body hygiene – I washed regularly with antibacterial soap and made sure to thoroughly dry my armpits after showering.

Making these changes definitely led to some improvement. I saw a noticeable dip in wetness and odor. However, the excessive sweating would always return anytime I felt anxious or overheated.

Alternative hyperhidrosis treatments

Not willing to accept a lifetime of excessive sweating, I pushed forward with researching alternative hyperhidrosis treatments. I ended up finding success through a combination of iontophoresis and miraDry:

Iontophoresis

Iontophoresis is a method that uses electrical currents to temporarily stop sweat glands from producing moisture. It involves placing the hands or feet into shallow trays filled with water and submerging them in a mild electrical current for about 20 minutes per session.

The electric current essentially plugs the sweat glands, stopping sweat production for anywhere from a few days up to a few weeks. The results last longer the more consistent you are with the iontophoresis treatments.

I bought an iontophoresis machine online and started doing treatments at home every few days. It completely stopped the excessive sweating in my hands and feet almost immediately. When I started to feel the effects wearing off, I just did another round of iontophoresis to plug up the sweat glands again.

MiraDry Treatment

To tackle the stubborn underarm sweating, I got a miraculous permanent treatment called MiraDry. This procedure uses electromagnetic energy to target and eliminate the sweat glands under your arms. The results are dramatic and permanent.

During the procedure, the doctor placed a handheld device under my arm that delivers thermal energy to the region 2-3mm under the skin which houses the sweat glands. The energy damages the glands so they can no longer produce sweat. I was left with permanently dry underarms in just one session!

The MiraDry procedure was virtually painless thanks to a numbing cream applied beforehand. I only felt mild heat and suction sensations under my arms. After a couple days of recovery, my underarms were sweat-free and have stayed that way since.

My hyperhidrosis is finally cured!

After over a decade of constant sweating and trying every treatment under the sun, I have finally achieved a normal and manageable sweating level through alternative hyperhidrosis treatments. Here is a summary of what ultimately cured my excessive sweating:

  • Iontophoresis treatments keep my hands and feet free of excess sweat.
  • The MiraDry procedure gave me permanent dryness under my arms.
  • Lifestyle adjustments like wearing breathable fabrics help control mild sweating elsewhere.

For the first time in years, I feel comfortable shaking hands again and giving people hugs! I no longer layer sweat pads under my clothes or avoid social scenarios. Controlling my excessive sweating has truly improved my self-confidence and quality of life.

I hope my journey to finding natural hyperhidrosis cures helps anyone out there suffering from uncontrolled sweating. With persistence and the right treatments, you too can finally stop excessive sweating and start feeling comfortable in your own skin!

Questions and Answers About Hyperhidrosis Cures

What are the different types of hyperhidrosis?

There are a few main types of hyperhidrosis:

  • Primary focal hyperhidrosis – Excessive sweating affecting the hands, feet, face, or underarms without apparent cause.
  • Secondary generalized hyperhidrosis – Excessive sweating all over the body often related to an underlying condition like infection, diabetes, hormone imbalance, gout, cancer or medication side effects.
  • Gustatory hyperhidrosis – Sweating of the face, scalp or neck triggered by eating certain foods.
  • Primary or idiopathic hyperhidrosis – Persistent, unexplained sweating that begins during childhood or young adulthood involving the palms, soles, armpits or face.

What foods or drinks should be avoided with hyperhidrosis?

It’s best to avoid foods and beverages that contain ingredients that can trigger or worsen excessive sweating. These include:

  • Alcohol
  • Caffeine
  • Spicy foods with capsaicin like chili peppers or curry
  • Garlic
  • Vinegar
  • Hot sauce
  • Chocolate

Avoiding these foods may help reduce sweating in those with gustatory hyperhidrosis.

Is hyperhidrosis genetic?

For many sufferers of primary focal hyperhidrosis, the condition does have a genetic basis. The tendency for overactive sweat glands can be passed down within families. However, just because someone has a parent or sibling with hyperhidrosis does not mean they will definitely develop it too. Other factors like environmental influences, diet, lifestyle and hormones also play a role.

At what age does primary hyperhidrosis usually start?

For most people who develop primary focal hyperhidrosis without any underlying cause, the excessive sweating begins in childhood, adolescence or early adulthood. The median age of onset is 13 years old. The onset of sudden, heavy sweating that is not caused by heat or exercise usually occurs when a child enters puberty and hormones shift.

Is there a permanent cure for hyperhidrosis?

For excessive sweating of the underarms, hands or feet, there are now permanent cures available. The most effective permanent treatments are:

  • Underarm Botox injections
  • MiraDry sweat ablation
  • Excision of sweat glands surgery

These procedures damage or remove the sweat glands so they can no longer produce sweat. One round of treatment leads to permanent results in most cases.

How can I cure facial hyperhidrosis naturally?

For hyperhidrosis of the face, you can try these natural remedies:

  • Wipe face with diluted apple cider vinegar
  • Apply witch hazel toner to tighten pores
  • Dust lightly with arrowroot powder to absorb moisture
  • Use facial blots to delicately dab away sweat
  • Keep skin clean and bacteria-free
  • Perform facial acupuncture to balance energy
  • Practice stress reduction techniques
  • Avoid spicy and hot foods that can trigger sweating

Conclusion

Living with hyperhidrosis can be frustrating and socially limiting, but it is highly treatable. A combination of natural remedies, alternative treatments, and lifestyle changes finally gave me permanent relief from severe excessive sweating. The iontophoresis and MiraDry treatments I got were truly life changing. I no longer feel anxious or embarrassed in public spaces thanks to my sweat-free existence! There are many options out there to explore, so I encourage anyone with hyperhidrosis to keep trying solutions until they find their personal cure.

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