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Excessive Sweating? Learn the Facts About Hyperhidrosis

October 11, 2025

Home / Blog / Body / Excessive Sweating? Here’s What You Should Know About Hyperhidrosis

3 Key Takeaways:

Hyperhidrosis is more than just sweating.
It’s a medical condition caused by an overactive sympathetic nervous system, leading to excessive and unpredictable sweating, even in cool temperatures or without physical activity.
It can impact daily life, but it’s treatable.
Hyperhidrosis can affect your confidence, social life, and emotional well-being. Fortunately, treatments like botulinum toxin injections and even lifestyle changes can reduce symptoms.
Don’t ignore the signs; help is available.
If excessive sweating is disrupting your routine or causing distress, consult a healthcare provider. Early diagnosis and personalized treatment can help you take back control.

While sweating is a natural process that helps regulate body temperature, it can go beyond a normal response to heat or stress for some people. When sweating becomes excessive, unpredictable, and difficult to manage, it may be due to a condition called hyperhidrosis, or sweating more than normal.

Apart from being uncomfortable or disruptive, hyperhidrosis can also cause embarrassment and hinder confidence. Continue reading as our aesthetic clinic in Singapore breaks down what hyperhidrosis is, what causes it, and what you can do to stop it from taking over your life.

What is hyperhidrosis?

Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition that causes excessive sweating beyond what your body needs to stay cool. It often affects specific areas such as the underarms, hands, feet, face, or scalp. In many cases, only one or two areas are affected, while the rest of the body remains dry.

You may be dealing with hyperhidrosis, if you’ve ever:

Soaked through a shirt while sitting in a cool room
Felt your hands slip during a handshake
Avoided certain shoes or clothes because of excessive sweat

Having hyperhidrosis doesn’t mean you have more sweat glands than others. Instead, it’s caused by an overactive sympathetic nervous system, the part of your body that controls sweating. This nerve pathway becomes overly sensitive, sending excessive signals to the sweat glands even when there’s no need to cool the body.

For further reading: 10 Surprising Facts About Underarm Sweating

How is hyperhidrosis different from regular sweating?

One of the main differences between hyperhidrosis and regular sweating is that the former is a medical condition, while the latter is a normal bodily function.

FEATURE	REGULAR SWEATING	HYPERHIDROSIS
Function	To cool the body off when it overheats (when exercising or stressed)	Producing sweat beyond what’s required for thermal regulation; not related to physical activity
Triggers	Physical activity, stress, emotions, high temperatures	Occurs even in cool temperatures or during rest; can have no apparent trigger
Affected areas	Usually occurs all over the body, but may be more pronounced in areas like the underarms	Most often occurs on the underarms, palms, and soles of the feet but can also affect other areas

How do I know if I have hyperhidrosis?

Sweating during hot days or when you’re in a nerve-wracking situation is normal; it happens to almost everyone. If you, however, feel like you’re sweating too much for no reason, it could be due to hyperhidrosis.

Ask yourself:

Are you sweating even when you’re not hot or active?
Does sweating interfere with your daily life (work, social situations, etc.)?
Do you experience frequent skin irritation, infections, or discomfort from moisture?

If you said yes to any of these, hyperhidrosis could be to blame. Speak to a healthcare provider to assess the cause of your symptoms.

What causes hyperhidrosis?

Hyperhidrosis can be primary (no underlying cause, often genetic) or secondary (caused by something else).

Primary focal hyperhidrosis – is excessive sweating that is NOT caused by any medical condition or a side effect of medication. It is often inherited and begins in childhood or adolescence. It causes sweat in specific or focal areas such as the:

Underarms (axillary hyperhidrosis)
Hands (palmar hyperhidrosis)
Feet (plantar hyperhidrosis)
Face or head (craniofacial hyperhidrosis)

Secondary generalized hyperhidrosis – refers to excessive sweating that is caused by a medical condition or a side effect of a medication. It usually starts in adulthood and occurs in generalized areas or larger/other areas of the body. Those with secondary hyperhidrosis may also experience symptoms while sleeping.

Common causes/triggers include:

Diabetes or thyroid issues
Infections or fever
Certain antidepressants or diabetes medications
Hormonal changes (e.g., menopause)
Obesity or metabolic conditions
Certain cancers
Chronic alcoholism

What are the treatment options for hyperhidrosis?

The good news is hyperhidrosis is treatable. One of the most common and effective treatments is botulinum toxin, which is US FDA-approved for hyperhidrosis. It works by temporarily blocking the nerve signals that trigger sweat production, with results lasting 4 to 12 months.

Botulinum toxin for underarm sweating at Cutis can help you take control of your sweating. Benefits include:

Quick procedure and minimal discomfort
Reduces body odor by minimizing sweat production
Prevents visible sweat stains on clothing
Reduces dependence on prescription antiperspirants or other more expensive treatments
Improves confidence or quality of life

Other treatments include:

Iontophoresis uses an electrical current in water to turn off sweat glands in the hands or feet. Some use it in the underarms via special electrodes, but tend to be less effective in that area. It’s non-invasive but requires consistency, several sessions a week at first.
Prescription products are stronger than drugstore antiperspirants, options include:

- Aluminum chloride solutions
- Glycopyrronium wipes
- Oral medications that block sweat-inducing nerves (with potential side effects like dry mouth or overheating).
Thermolysis is a non-surgical, in-clinic treatment that uses thermal energy to permanently destroy underarm sweat glands. Most people need 1 to 2 sessions. This, however, can be expensive and cause temporary side effects, such as swelling, tenderness, and discoloration.
Surgery is reserved for severe cases. This may involve sweat gland removal (underarms) or sympathectomy, cutting nerves that trigger sweating. The latter is often used for hand sweating, though it may cause compensatory sweating in other areas.

Lifestyle tips to support treatments and help manage sweating

Small daily changes can make a big difference.

1. Choose breathable, sweat-wicking fabrics – wear clothes made from natural or moisture-wicking materials like cotton, linen, and merino wool. These fabrics allow air to circulate and help draw moisture away from your skin, keeping you cooler and drier throughout the day.
2. Shower before bed and dry thoroughly – especially after working out or on hot days, shower in lukewarm water using a gentle cleanser. Make sure to dry your underarms (and other sweat-prone areas) thoroughly with a clean towel to reduce moisture buildup overnight.
3. Keep cool – on hot days, try placing a bowl of ice in front of a fan to circulate cooler air around the room. Keep blinds or curtains closed during the day to block out direct sunlight. Eating smaller, more frequent meals can also help, as your body produces less metabolic heat compared to when digesting large meals.
4. Apply antiperspirant at night – antiperspirants work best when applied to dry skin at night, when sweat production is typically lower. This gives the active ingredients time to block the sweat ducts effectively. Take note that deodorants don’t reduce sweating; they only mask odor caused by bacteria.
5. Keep sweat wipes or cloths handy – carry sweat-absorbing wipes or a small cloth in your bag for a quick clean up whenever needed. This helps prevent sweat buildup and keeps you feeling fresh.
6. Care for your feet – wear moisture-wicking socks and change them at least once or twice a day. This helps prevent excessive foot sweating and reduces odor and discomfort. On warm days, wear breathable shoes or sandals when appropriate.

When to see a doctor

Excessive sweating is not something you have to just live with. If it’s interfering with your quality of life, it’s time to get help. Consult a healthcare provider if:

Sweating disrupts your daily activities
Excessive sweating causes emotional distress or social withdrawal
You suddenly begin sweating more than usual without a clear cause
You experience frequent night sweats without an obvious reason

If you’re unsure whether your sweating is normal or not, it’s always best to speak with a healthcare professional. Early consultation can help identify any underlying conditions and guide you toward the right treatment options.

Take control of your sweating

Hyperhidrosis can be frustrating, but it doesn’t have to control your life. With the right knowledge, support, and treatment plan, you can regain comfort, confidence, and control.

At Cutis Medical Laser Clinics, we offer botulinum toxin for treating hyperhidrosis, along with professional guidance to help you manage your condition. Contact us today to learn more or book a consultation with one of our aesthetic doctors in Singapore.