Preparing for Your Excessive Sweating Appointment

Everyone who suffers from excessive sweating should consult with a skin care specialist to receive a proper diagnosis. The two categories of hyperhidrosis require different types of treatments which your skin care specialist will be able to recommend. Before your appointment you may want to jot down some important information regarding your condition.

• Write down all of the treatments you have used in the past for your excessive sweating and make a note of which ones were successful and which ones were not
• Think about when your condition first started and what certain environmental and physical factors affected you at that time
• Make a note of how frequently you sweat and how much you sweat as your doctor will ask you these questions
• Make a list of any family members who suffer from excessive sweating or anxiety disorders, as well as any additional medical conditions you may have.

It is also a good idea to write down all of the questions you want to ask your skin specialist. Here are some examples of questions you may want to ask:

• What is the cause of my excessive sweating?
• What type of hyperhidrosis do I have?
• What are my treatment options?
• What are the benefits and risks of each treatment?
• Would a prescription deodorant help my condition?
• Could my excessive sweating be an indication of a more serious condition?
• Will my excessive sweating improve over time?
• Are there any changes I can make in my lifestyle that can help improve my condition?
• Can you recommend any hyperhidrosis support groups?

During your appointment, your skin care specialist will perform a physical examination to determine where the problem exists. Your skin specialist will also perform some tests to make sure your excessive sweating is not caused by a medical condition. There are two tests that are commonly used to diagnose excessive sweating:

• Starch iodine test: An iodine solution is placed directly on the problem areas and then covered in starch. Your skin care specialist will then wait for the area to turn a dark blue or purple color which distinctly shows where the sweat is.
• Paper test: You skin care professional will place a unique type of paper over the areas of concern. The paper absorbs the sweat and is then weighed to determine the amount of sweat that is produced in each area.

Many people with excessive sweating are unaware they have a medical condition and let their excessive sweating go undiagnosed and untreated. If you have problems with sweating consult with your skin practitioner for treatment.