The Drs: Excessive Scalp & Face Sweating
The Doctors talked to a woman who has been sweating excessively on her scalp and face for years, and shared what treatment options were available to her. (kullez / flickr)
Can you imagine sweating so much from your scalp and head that you resort to rubbing antiperspirant all over? For Nancy, that was her reality. Nancy shared with The Doctors that she wasn’t always that way, but for the last five years, she’s been sweating excessively, to the point that it pours down her face. She said it’s overwhelmingly embarrassing and was brought to tears talking about her condition.
She started officiating weddings years ago. Last year her cousin’s daughter got married and at the reception, her entire head was completely drenched and she was very embarrassed. She said she’s a hugger, but knows people don’t want someone to hug them who is drenched in sweat.
The Drs: Embarrassing Excessive Sweating
Nancy saw a doctor who put her on a medication that didn’t help, so she’s tried putting deodorant on her face. She hasn’t even met her daughter’s boyfriend because she doesn’t want her daughter to be embarrassed. The Doctors sent Nancy to see Dr Sonia Batra, and explained that she does have hypothyroidism and takes pain medication for that.
Dr Batra took a closer look at Nancy’s scalp and pointed out that she didn’t have any redness or inflammation of the skin, but there was quite a bit of moisture.
The Drs: Diagnosing Hyperhidrosis
Dr Travis Stork told Nancy that she shouldn’t be embarrassed because she was suffering from a condition that was outside of her control. The good news is that there is a way to improve the condition. Dr Batra explained that the condition, called hyperhidrosis, came on about four or five years ago. Nancy has the condition where it really only affects her face and scalp, whereas the majority of people who have it suffer from excessive sweating on their palms, feet, or armpits.
Dr Batra explained that anxiety played a large role in the condition, as well as some of the medications she’s been on. She said there is a subset of post-menopausal women with hyperhidrosis. The good news is that there are some really good treatment options. Rather than giving her pills, they could compound the pills into a cream. It’s something that she would use before an event to keep the sweat from coming.
The Drs: Treatment Options For Hyperhidrosis
She could also use Botox to prevent the sweating in the long term. It could help shut down sweating for the next six months and Nancy was very excited to hear all of that! Dr Stork said it’s important to talk to your doctor and go through a very detailed physical history. Nancy got the Botox injections right there on the show and Dr Batra explained that the effects should kick in within a week. She should also have a six month sustained result.
The Botox combined with the cream means that Nancy should have noticeably less sweating and get her confidence back. Nancy was incredibly thankful and grateful. Dr Ordon then gave her a big hug, as did Dr Stork.
Do you suffer from excessive sweating? If so, what treatment options have worked for you?
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