There’s nothing like breaking a good sweat to know you got a good workout. Sweating is the body’s natural cooling technique to keep our bodies from overheating. The harder we work out, the more we sweat. For some people, however, sweating doesn’t just happen when they hit the gym. People who suffer from a condition called hyperhidrosis may sweat when they’re nervous, embarrassed, anxious or even when they are just sitting around, minding their own business. Hyperhidrosis can cause embarrassment and anxiety, and can cause people to avoid social situations. Luckily, there is help those who sweat when they shouldn’t.

What is Hyperhidrosis?

Hyperhidrosis is a condition that causes the sweat glands in the body to work overtime. Overactive sweat glands can produce sweat even when normal stimuli aren’t prompting them to. Hyperhidrosis occurs most frequently in the underarms, hands and feet, but it can really affect the whole body. While excessive sweating affects 3% of the world’s population, it is not an issue that is commonly talked about or diagnosed. Hyperhidrosis can have a severe impact on a person’t life, but treatments are available to help.

What are Treatment Options for Hyperhidrosis?

There are a wide variety of treatment options for people who suffer from excessive sweating. The most common treatment, and one patients should try first, is a prescription strength antiperspirant. Many of these can be found over the counter these days in a local grocery store or pharmacy. Another treatment for hyperhydrosis that is becoming more popular is Botox injections. Botox treatment uses a set of injections of the medication at the source of the problem. Once injected, Botox stops the chemical secretion that prompts sweat glands to produce sweat.

Are There Any Side Effects of Botox for Hyperhidrosis?

Although some people may be weary of using needles to inject medicine into their underarms, face, hands and feet, Botox for hyperhidrosis is actually a very safe treatment. There very few side effects of Botox for hyperhidrosis, and most patients have none at all. Some mild pain, swelling and redness can occur at the site of the injections, but these usually go away quickly. Treatment lasts between four and five months, at which point patients need to return for further injections. Read more here.