Disorders of sweat glands: hyperhidrosis: unapproved treatments

Abstract

Hyperhidrosis is a disorder of excessive sweating beyond the amount needed to cool down an elevated body temperature. The quantitative assessment of excessive sweat can be performed with the starch-iodine test 1 or gravimetry. 2 Hyperhidrosis can be categorized as generalized, localized, or emotional. Generalized and some forms of localized hyperhidrosis usually occur secondary to an underlying cause, and should be treated accordingly. 3 Emotional stimuli can provoke hyperhidrosis of the palms, soles, and axillae; this chapter will focus on the treatments for emotional hyperhidrosis. Topicals Antiperspirants are the first line of therapy; they are inexpensive with minimal, if any, side effects. The most effective topical agents for use on the palms, soles, and the axillae are solutions of aluminum chloride hexahydrate in anhydrous alcohol (Drysol, 25%, and Xerac AC, 6.25%, Person and Covey Inc; CertainDri, Numark Labs; Maxim 12.5%). The action of aluminum salts on the eccrine duct and method of their nocturnal application