From the Guidelines
Hyperhidrosis patient education should prioritize a comprehensive approach, focusing on lifestyle modifications, non-medical treatments, and medical options to improve quality of life and reduce morbidity. For patients with hyperhidrosis, education is key to managing the condition effectively. The following aspects should be covered in patient education:
- Lifestyle modifications: wearing breathable fabrics, using clinical-strength antiperspirants containing aluminum chloride, avoiding spicy foods, caffeine, and alcohol, and carrying a change of clothes when necessary.
- Non-medical treatments: iontophoresis for palmar and plantar hyperhidrosis, and microwave thermolysis (miraDry) for underarm sweating.
- Medical options: oral anticholinergics like glycopyrrolate (1-2mg twice daily) or oxybutynin (5-10mg daily), topical treatments such as prescription-strength aluminum chloride solutions (20%) or glycopyrronium cloths (Qbrexza), and botulinum toxin (Botox) injections for persistent cases. Although the provided evidence 1 focuses on heart failure management, it emphasizes the importance of patient education in facilitating self-care, which can be applied to hyperhidrosis management as well. Additionally, the evidence on dry eye disease management 1 highlights the significance of patient education in understanding the nature of the disease, its causes, management, and prognosis, which can be extrapolated to hyperhidrosis patient education. By prioritizing patient education and a comprehensive treatment approach, patients with hyperhidrosis can experience improved quality of life, reduced morbidity, and enhanced management of their condition.
From the FDA Drug Label
17 PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION Advise the patient to read the FDA-approved patient labeling (Medication Guide).
The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
Hyperhidrosis Patient Education
- Hyperhidrosis is a disorder of excessive sweating beyond what is expected for thermoregulatory needs and environmental conditions 2.
- Primary hyperhidrosis has an estimated prevalence of nearly 3% and is associated with significant medical and psychosocial consequences 2.
- The condition can affect various parts of the body, including the axillae, palms, soles, and craniofacial area 2, 3, 4.
Treatment Options
- Topical medications, such as aluminum chloride, are commonly used as first-line treatment for axillary and palmoplantar hyperhidrosis 2, 4.
- Iontophoresis is considered a primary remedy for palmar and plantar hyperhidrosis 3.
- Botulinum toxin injections are a safe and effective treatment option for focal hyperhidrosis 2, 3, 4.
- Oral systemic agents, such as glycopyrrolate and clonidine, are reserved for treatment-resistant cases or generalized hyperhidrosis 2, 3, 4.
- Surgery, including local surgical techniques and sympathectomy, may be considered when conservative treatments have failed 2, 3, 4.
Lifestyle and Behavioral Recommendations
- Lifestyle and behavioral recommendations are often included as part of the initial treatment for hyperhidrosis 3.
- Antiperspirants are regarded as the first-line therapy for primary focal hyperhidrosis and can provide significant benefit 3.
Emerging Treatment Options
- Energy-delivering devices, such as lasers, ultrasound technology, microwave thermolysis, and fractional microneedle radiofrequency, may be used to reduce focal sweating 3.
- Local microwave therapy is a newer treatment option for axillary hyperhidrosis 4.
- Combination therapy with aluminum chloride hexahydrate and botulinum toxin type A may be effective for moderate to severe hyperhidrosis 5.