Category: Treatment

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Living Through Sweat: A Qualitative Study of the Pre-Surgical Decision-Making Trajectory in Patients with Palmar Hyperhidrosis

Patient Prefer Adherence. 2026 May 4;20:589191. doi: 10.2147/PPA.S589191. eCollection 2026.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study aimed to explore the dynamic and ambivalent pre-surgical decision-making process of patients with palmar hyperhidrosis (PH), focusing on the “anxiety-sweating” feedback loop and the psychological factors influencing their treatment choices, particularly the interplay between psychological distress and the decision to pursue surgery.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a qualitative descriptive phenomenological study in accordance with the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ). Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 19 adults who had lived with PH for more than 10 years and were considering surgical treatment. All interviews were conducted before surgery. Data were analyzed using NVivo 11 software and Colaizzi’s seven-step phenomenological method.

RESULTS: Analysis revealed a four-stage pre-surgical journey. First, patients initially normalized excessive hand sweating as a personal difference or familial trait, but gradually developed disease awareness as symptoms persisted and intensified. Second, PH imposed a substantial psychosocial burden, including functional limitations in study, work, and daily life, as well as reduced self-confidence, anticipatory anxiety, and social avoidance. Many participants described a self-reinforcing “anxiety-sweating” vicious cycle. Third, dissatisfaction with conservative treatments and increasing access to treatment-related information prompted patients to move from temporary coping strategies toward consideration of more durable interventions. Fourth, surgical deliberation was characterized by ambivalence: patients hoped surgery would relieve symptoms and restore social confidence, while also expressing concerns regarding compensatory sweating, postoperative discomfort, and recovery.

CONCLUSION: The pathway toward surgical consideration in patients with palmar hyperhidrosis was a dynamic and ambivalent process shaped by symptom normalization, psychosocial burden, prior treatment experiences, and concerns about surgical risks. These findings highlight the importance of addressing psychological and social experiences alongside technical counseling and support the value of shared decision-making in pre-surgical care.

PMID:42109704 | PMC:PMC13155398 | DOI:10.2147/PPA.S589191

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Managing Antidepressant-Induced Hyperhidrosis With Vitamin E: An Over-the-Counter Supplement-Based Approach

Clin Case Rep. 2026 Mar 11;14(3):e71979. doi: 10.1002/ccr3.71979. eCollection 2026 Mar.

ABSTRACT

Excessive sweating is a common side effect of antidepressants, affecting approximately 22% of patients. Antidepressant-induced excessive sweating (ADIES) can significantly impair quality of life and medication adherence. This case report explores the use of Vitamin E as a novel adjunct treatment for ADIES. A woman in her 30s with major depressive disorder experienced significant improvement in depressive symptoms with venlafaxine but developed distressing night sweats at higher doses. Given the patient’s reluctance to switch to a different antidepressant and to reduce polypharmacy, a trial of over-the-counter Vitamin E was initiated based on its prior evidence in managing hot flashes in postmenopausal women. After 3 months, the patient reported a significant reduction in sweating, as measured by validated symptom severity scales (CGI-S and HDSS). The case highlights Vitamin E as a potentially effective, low-risk, and accessible option for ADIES, especially for patients at risk for polypharmacy. While larger studies are needed, Vitamin E may offer a simple strategy for improving quality of life and medication adherence.

PMID:42016646 | PMC:PMC13093336 | DOI:10.1002/ccr3.71979

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Efficacy and Safety of Topical Anticholinergics in the Treatment of Primary Axillary Hyperhidrosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Clin Drug Investig. 2026 Apr 16. doi: 10.1007/s40261-026-01550-2. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Topical anticholinergic agents are non-invasive treatment options for primary axillary hyperhidrosis (PAH). Sofpironium bromide was recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A comprehensive evaluation of the efficacy and safety of available topical anticholinergics may inform clinical practice.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy and safety of topical anticholinergic therapies for PAH through systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

METHODS: Five databases were searched on September 9, 2024. Primary outcomes included a ≥2-point improvement in the Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale (HDSS) and ≥50% reduction in gravimetric sweat production (GSP). Secondary outcomes included subjective symptom improvement and objective sweat reduction. Safety outcomes included treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs), anticholinergic-related adverse events, and local application site reactions. The review protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024583376).

RESULTS: Eight RCTs (n = 1921) that evaluated glycopyrronium, sofpironium bromide, and umeclidinium were included. Topical agents significantly outperformed placebos for HDSS ≥2-point improvement (risk ratio [RR]: 2.40; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.01-2.86) and GSP ≥50% reduction (RR: 1.43; 95% CI: 1.21-1.70). Sofpironium was the most effective HDSS treatment, whereas glycopyrronium showed highest efficacy against GSP. Topical agents were associated with increased risk of TEAEs (RR: 1.43; 95% CI: 1.14-1.79), with sofpironium associated with highest risk of dry mouth and glycopyrronium with highest risks for mydriasis and constipation.

CONCLUSIONS: Topical anticholinergic agents are effective for PAH treatment, with distinct efficacy and safety profiles. Although the available evidence is limited by the small number of trials, short follow-up durations, and heterogeneity in outcome reporting, these findings support the role of topical anticholinergic therapy as an effective non-invasive option for PAH.

PMID:41989535 | DOI:10.1007/s40261-026-01550-2

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Sustained efficacy of botulinum toxin in primary palmar hyperhidrosis: a systematic review of duration, quality of life, and satisfaction

Front Med (Lausanne). 2026 Mar 25;13:1795512. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2026.1795512. eCollection 2026.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Primary palmar hyperhidrosis (PPH) is a debilitating condition characterized by excessive sweating of the palms, significantly impairing patients’ quality of life (QoL). Botulinum toxin (BoNT) injections are a widely used treatment, but data on their sustained efficacy, impact on QoL, and patient satisfaction remain limited.

OBJECTIVE: This systematic review aimed to systematically evaluate the duration of BoNT efficacy, its effects on QoL, and patient-reported satisfaction and improvement in PPH.

METHODS: This systematic review followed PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Scopus databases were searched from 2005 to 2024. Studies included randomized controlled trials, observational studies, and clinical trials involving adults with PPH treated with BoNT injections. Outcomes included duration of efficacy, QoL measures (e.g., DLQI), and patient satisfaction.

RESULTS: Nineteen studies met inclusion criteria. The duration of BoNT efficacy ranged from 3 to 12 months, with BoNT-A demonstrating a mean efficacy of 4.9-9.5 months, while BoNT-B showed a shorter duration of 3.8-4.6 months. Higher doses and repeated injections were associated with prolonged symptom control. Disease severity influenced efficacy, with moderate cases experiencing longer relief compared to severe cases. QoL improvements were substantial, with Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) scores showing significant reductions post-treatment. Patient satisfaction rates ranged from 65 to 100%, though this effect diminished over time.

CONCLUSION: BoNT is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for PPH, offering substantial symptom relief, improved QoL, and high patient satisfaction. Future research should focus on standardized protocols and long-term follow-up to optimize treatment strategies.

PMID:41958548 | PMC:PMC13056597 | DOI:10.3389/fmed.2026.1795512

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Oxybutynin treatment for episodic hyperhidrosis in Parkinson disease

J Parkinsons Dis. 2026 Apr 7:1877718X261440704. doi: 10.1177/1877718X261440704. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Not all medications arrive from a disciplined path of translational drug development; sometimes, the route of discovery involves serendipity. A drug developed for controlling urinary urgency, oxybutynin, is reviewed here as a highly effective treatment for excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis). Its use in Parkinson disease is described in a case report.

PMID:41944203 | DOI:10.1177/1877718X261440704

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Advances in pharmacological treatment and management of hyperhidrosis

Expert Opin Pharmacother. 2026 Mar 23:1-10. doi: 10.1080/14656566.2026.2642213. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Hyperhidrosis is a functional disorder characterized by excessive sweat production beyond physiological needs for thermoregulation, significantly impairing quality of life, affecting physical comfort, psychological well-being, social interactions, and work productivity.

AREAS COVERED: This review focuses on evidence-based therapeutic options for hyperhidrosis. Topical treatments (glycopyrronium bromide, glycopyrronium tosylate, aluminum salts), systemic therapy (oral oxybutynin), injectable approaches (botulinum toxin), iontophoresis, and surgical interventions (local excision, sympathectomy) are discussed in detail. Clinical studies demonstrate that topical and systemic agents are effective for localized and multisite forms, respectively, while botulinum toxin offers strong efficacy for focal hyperhidrosis. The review also addresses combination strategies, treatment tolerability, cost-effectiveness, and patient-centered approaches.

EXPERT OPINION: Managing hyperhidrosis requires a nuanced, individualized strategy that balances symptom control, safety, patient preferences, and quality of life. Combination therapies and flexible treatment sequencing can reduce early reliance on invasive procedures. Despite therapeutic advances, widespread adoption is limited by heterogeneous guidelines, off-label use, and under-recognition of psychosocial impact. Future research should focus on prospective, large-cohort studies, standardized outcome measures, and development of selective, well-tolerated therapies. While a universal cure is unlikely, sustained symptom control and meaningful improvement in quality of life represent realistic objectives.

PMID:41871366 | DOI:10.1080/14656566.2026.2642213

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Hyperhidrosis Improved by Samhwangsasim-Tang: A Case Report

Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2026 Jan 14;19:575693. doi: 10.2147/CCID.S575693. eCollection 2026.

ABSTRACT

Hyperhidrosis is a disorder characterized by excessive sweating beyond physiological requirements, which significantly interferes with daily functioning and quality of life. It affects approximately 4%-5% of the population worldwide, yet its underlying pathophysiology remains unclear, with proposed mechanisms involving autonomic nervous system dysregulation, metabolic imbalance, and psychological factors. Here, we describe a case of chronic hyperhidrosis in which spontaneous sweating and facial flushing improved markedly following administration of Samhwangsasim-tang as monotherapy. A 66-year-old man presented with chronic hyperhidrosis occurring without identifiable triggers. Even minimal physical activity caused profuse craniofacial sweating accompanied by facial flushing, which was exacerbated by heat exposure and conditions associated with increased core body temperature. Based on his symptom pattern, Samhwangsasim-tang extract granules were prescribed. No other treatments, including acupuncture, cupping therapy, or conventional medications, were administered during the treatment period. Symptom severity was evaluated using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) and the Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale (HDSS). After approximately 42 days of treatment, spontaneous sweating resolved completely (NRS 10 → 0; HDSS 4 → 1), and facial flushing was reduced to 20%-30% of baseline severity (NRS 10 → 2-3). This case suggests that the heat-clearing, anti-inflammatory, and metabolic-regulating properties of Samhwangsasim-tang may contribute to the normalization of skin temperature, sweating regulation, and peripheral circulation. Further clinical and mechanistic studies are warranted to elucidate its therapeutic potential in hyperhidrosis.

PMID:41858595 | PMC:PMC12997260 | DOI:10.2147/CCID.S575693

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Robotic ramicotomy for palmar and axillary hyperhidrosis

Multimed Man Cardiothorac Surg. 2026 Mar 4;2026. doi: 10.1510/mmcts.2025.150.

ABSTRACT

Ramicotomy is a surgical approach that focuses on dividing the rami communicantes of the sympathetic chain and has been introduced as a treatment for palmar and axillary hyperhidrosis with the goal of reducing the incidence of compensatory sweating. Evidence from recent randomized controlled studies and meta-analyses suggests that this technique effectively reduces localized excessive sweating while resulting in lower rates of compensatory hyperhidrosis and less postoperative hand dryness compared with traditional sympathetic chain interruption. Despite these advantages, ramicotomy has been linked to a greater likelihood of symptom recurrence, underscoring the importance of thorough patient selection and detailed preoperative counseling about potential long-term outcomes. Overall quality of life improvements and patient satisfaction appear similar between ramicotomy and conventional sympathicotomy, although ramicotomy may provide benefits in decreasing the severity or extent of compensatory sweating. In cases of axillary hyperhidrosis, combining ramicotomy with endoscopic sympathetic blockade does not seem to significantly change patient satisfaction or overall rates of compensatory sweating compared with blockade alone, though it may influence the pattern or distribution of compensatory symptoms. In summary, ramicotomy is a reasonable surgical option for carefully selected patients who prioritize a lower risk of compensatory hyperhidrosis, accepting the trade-off of a potentially higher recurrence rate.

PMID:41778845 | DOI:10.1510/mmcts.2025.150

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The role of acupuncture in managing hyperhidrosis and vasomotor sweating: evidence, mechanisms, and gaps

Complement Ther Med. 2026 Feb 27:103337. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2026.103337. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Hyperhidrosis and thermoregulatory disorders, including menopausal and treatment-induced hot flushes, can significantly impair quality of life. While acupuncture has been proposed as a potential non-pharmacological treatment for these conditions, the quality and consistency of available evidence remain unclear. This review aims to critically assess the current literature on acupuncture for various kinds of hyperhidrosis, evaluating its clinical efficacy, mechanisms of action, and limitations.

METHODS: A narrative review was conducted based on English-language, PubMed-indexed published clinical studies, randomised controlled trials (RCTs), and meta-analyses investigating acupuncture as a treatment for primary hyperhidrosis, emotional sweating, paraneoplastic sweating, and hot flushes in both menopausal and breast cancer populations. Particular attention was paid to study quality, intervention protocols, and outcome durability.

RESULTS: Evidence for the use of acupuncture in primary, emotional, and paraneoplastic hyperhidrosis is limited to small, often uncontrolled studies with significant methodological shortcomings. In contrast, acupuncture for menopausal and breast cancer-related hot flushes is supported by multiple RCTs and meta-analyses involving over 1,000 participants, demonstrating short-term improvements in frequency and severity of symptoms. However, effects on hot flushes generally diminish after three months post-treatment. Mechanistically, acupuncture is thought to act via modulation of the autonomic nervous system and neuropeptide regulation, though precise pathways remain to be fully elucidated.

CONCLUSION: Acupuncture may offer short-term benefits for hot flushes in menopausal and breast cancer populations, but current evidence for its effectiveness in other kinds of hyperhidrosis remains weak and inconclusive. High-quality, standardised clinical trials with long-term follow-up are needed to better define its role in the integrative management of thermoregulatory disorders.

PMID:41765151 | DOI:10.1016/j.ctim.2026.103337

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Early onset, genital, and axillary involvement are strongly associated with impaired quality of life in hyperhidrosis patients

Medicine (Baltimore). 2026 Feb 20;105(8):e47698. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000047698.

ABSTRACT

Hyperhidrosis is a chronic condition marked by excessive sweating that significantly affects patients’ quality of life (QoL). However, this issue is both underrecognized and undertreated, and its physical, emotional, and social burdens are often underestimated, particularly in Middle Eastern populations. A cross-sectional, analytical study was conducted across Saudi Arabia between May 2024 and April 2025. Participants were recruited through dermatology clinics and a Telegram support group. They completed an online self-administered Arabic questionnaire regarding demographics, medical history, the Arabic Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale, and the Hyperhidrosis Quality of Life Index. A total of 276 Arabic-speaking adults with hyperhidrosis participated. The mean age was 27.3 years (SD ± 8.2), and 57.6% of the respondents were male. Most participants (82.9%) had severe hyperhidrosis (Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale grades 3-4). The mean HidroQoL scores were 10.3 out of 14 for daily life and 16.6 out of 22 for psychosocial life, indicating moderate to severe burden. Disease severity showed the strongest association with QoL impairment (P = .001). Other factors significantly associated with daily functioning included lower education level, lower income, and sweating in the axillae and genital region, while genital involvement and low education were associated with psychosocial distress. Hyperhidrosis imposed a substantial QoL burden, especially in patients with severe symptoms and lower socioeconomic status. The findings supported the need for early detection and tailored treatment strategies and the use of culturally validated patient-reported outcome measures like the Arabic HidroQoL in clinical practice.

PMID:41731822 | DOI:10.1097/MD.0000000000047698