Where excessive sweating occurs
Underarms
Wet patches on clothing, even when you are not hot or exercising.
Hands
Sweaty palms that make writing, using devices or shaking hands difficult.
Feet
Damp socks and shoes, sometimes with soreness or skin irritation.
Face and scalp
Sweating around your forehead, face or head that affects daily comfort.
What causes hyperhidrosis?
Primary hyperhidrosis often starts in childhood or teenage years, affects both sides and usually stops during sleep. New sweating, sweating all over or night sweats may relate to medicines, menopause, thyroid problems, diabetes or another health condition. Your doctor checks the pattern before recommending treatment.
Management and treatment
Treatment depends on where you sweat, how much it affects you and what you have already tried.
Everyday care
- Wear loose, breathable clothing and use an antiperspirant rather than deodorant alone.
- Change moisture-absorbing socks regularly and alternate shoes so they can dry.
- Wash gently with a soap substitute and reduce triggers such as heat, alcohol or spicy food.
Doctor-reviewed treatment
Treatment options
Aluminium chloride
Prescription-strength aluminium chloride antiperspirant is usually the first option for underarms, hands and feet. Apply at night to completely dry skin, then wash off in the morning.
Methenamine cream
An aluminium-free option for hands and feet. Apply to clean, dry skin as directed, and tell your doctor about any formaldehyde allergy.
Glycopyrronium cream
Also called glycopyrrolate, it reduces sweating on the face, underarms, hands or feet. Use only on the areas your doctor advises. Wash hands afterwards and keep it away from eyes.
Oxybutynin tablets
Oxybutynin modified-release tablets reduce sweating across the body when creams are not enough. Propantheline, taken before food several times daily, is an alternative when suitable.
Oxybutynin modified-release is usually started at 5 mg once daily. After at least a week, your doctor may increase it to 10 mg once daily, the usual maximum. Swallow tablets whole; do not change your dose yourself.
Other treatment options
Iontophoresis uses a gentle electrical current through water to reduce sweating, mainly on hands and feet, with repeat sessions needed. It is not suitable with a pacemaker or during pregnancy. Botulinum toxin injections are another option, mainly for underarms; effects usually last several months.
Using treatment safely
- With aluminium chloride, avoid shaving or hair removal for 12 hours before and after use. Avoid broken skin and eyes. If irritated, use less often and ask your doctor for advice.
- Keep glycopyrronium away from eyes, nose and mouth, avoid large areas or broken skin, and prevent transfer to others. If it gets in your eyes, rinse with plenty of water. Do not drive if your vision is blurred.
- Tablets and glycopyrronium can cause dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision or sleepiness. Sugar-free gum, water and fibre may help. Do not drive or cycle if your vision or alertness is affected. Seek urgent medical advice if you cannot pass urine.
- Sweat-reducing medicines can cause overheating. Take care in hot weather and during exercise; stay hydrated. Call 999 if you are overheating and not sweating normally.
- Tell your doctor about all medicines and glaucoma, urinary or prostate problems, heart, bowel, thyroid, kidney or liver conditions, myasthenia gravis or memory problems. They will check interactions and suitability, including possible memory risks with long-term tablet use.
Your online sweating assessment
- 1
Tell us about your sweating
Share the areas affected, onset, night symptoms, previous treatments, medicines and allergies.
- 2
Add photos if helpful
Upload clear photos if you have visible skin changes or irritation.
- 3
Doctor reviews your case
Technology helps organise your answers; a doctor makes every assessment and prescription decision.
- 4
Get your personalised plan
Discuss your options in live doctor chat, with a prescription if clinically appropriate.
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Start sweating assessmentYour treatment plan and follow-up
- Aluminium chloride may need up to 6 weeks to assess its effect. Methenamine may help after around 4 weeks; tablets can work sooner.
- Your doctor sets your review plan. Contact them sooner if treatment irritates your skin or causes troublesome side effects.
- Treatment controls sweating rather than curing it. Use the lowest effective amount and review before repeat prescriptions.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get hyperhidrosis treatment online in the UK and EU?
Yes. A doctor reviews your sweating pattern, health and medicines, then offers a personalised plan and a prescription if suitable. Online treatment is not suitable during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
How is underarm sweating treated?
Aluminium chloride antiperspirant is usually tried first. Glycopyrronium cream or tablets may be considered if it does not help enough or irritates your skin.
What helps sweaty hands and feet?
Aluminium chloride, methenamine or glycopyrronium cream may help. Tablets and iontophoresis are other options, depending on your symptoms and health.
What is glycopyrronium cream?
It blocks signals that activate sweat glands in the treated area. Your doctor tells you where and how often to apply it. Wash your hands afterwards and avoid contact with eyes.
Can oxybutynin help with sweating?
It can reduce sweating in several areas. Your doctor balances benefit against dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision and overheating risk, using the lowest suitable dose.
Can excessive sweating be a sign of something else?
Yes, especially if it is new, affects your whole body or happens at night. Medicines or health conditions can be responsible. Soaking night sweats with fever or unexplained weight loss need same-day NHS 111 advice.
Related conditions
Get urgent help if…
Call 999
Sweating with chest pain, overheating without normal sweating while taking a sweat-reducing medicine, or sudden swelling of the mouth or throat with breathing difficulty needs emergency help.
Call NHS 111 the same day
You have soaking night sweats with fever or unexplained weight loss, or sudden sweating on only one side of your body.
Do not wait for an online reply. ChatDoc is not an emergency service.
General medical information, not a substitute for individual medical advice.