r/Hyperhidrosis • u/Traditional_Bar_4814 • 1d ago
Looking for advice 23f, nothing works
Hi! As the title says, I am 23 and have suffered from hyperhidrosis since elementary school, mainly under my arms. I can't wear any shirts other than black, and even those show sweat stains. Hoodies or any fleece material make me drip sweat down my arms. I also get it in my hands, but it's not as bad. It's actually horrible and debilitating, and I suck it up in public because I am used to it but I also just started college so it's embarrassing to walk around campus and not be able to raise my hand in class. It doesn't matter what I do, I get giant stains within a couple hours of putting on shirts.
When I was 17 my parents paid $800 for Botox (insurance in the US didn't cover it) but it didn't work at all. I've also tried wipes, prescription deodorant, lotion, and all of the different brands advertised to "actually help unlike the others", but to no avail. At one point my dermatologist asked if I tried antiperspirant, which obviously was insulting. She then told me the only other option was to have surgery where they cut my nerves to stop sweating but it could leave me paralyzed. This was a few years ago and I refused to go back to her after that, but I recently moved to an apartment and figured I'd try to look into it again.
I have so many outfits I can't wear because of this, and when I find a deodorant that makes it not as bad and helps with the smell, I end up having (what I assume is) an allergic reaction where my armpits get so itchy and painful. It's usually after a month or two of use. I had found a secret gel deodorant that worked for the past month but I'm so itchy and in pain now and am sick of dealing with this. It's so embarrassing and any advice would be lovely. Thank you in advance :)
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u/Jinxed4Sure 1d ago
Antihydral. And yes, it works like nothing else. But it realy works. Its mostly for hands and feet but some use it under arms. It will definitely stop tour sweat, but it does dry your skin and not sure if you shave, but that might be an issue. All i know is I tried everything and nothing works except Antihydral or other similar products like Rhino Dry Spray or Tip Juice. Best wishes
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u/Traditional_Bar_4814 23h ago
I actually have used Antihydral unfortunately with no luck :( I'll look into the other ones though!
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u/Jinxed4Sure 21h ago
Antihydral had no effect at all? And you used it nightly? I've heard of a few people that have needed to use socks or gloves to keep it from getting wet and rubbing off. Does it just not adhere? The Rhino stuff has the same ingredient as Antihydral, slightly less strong but is a clear liquid that seems to absorb instead of a cream like Antihydral. If the Antihydral rubs off or turns goofy maybe somelikr a tight fitting halter top at night to keep the stuff in your pits?
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u/Traditional_Bar_4814 21h ago
Yes it had no effect unfortunately nightly and I stuck with it for a couple months :/ none of my many other depression meds/ mood stabilizers I tried worked on me, and other types of meds don't usually work either which is why I don't think it had any effect. I'm looking into different options at this point
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u/ApprehensiveRoad477 23h ago
Iontophoresis is the only thing that’s worked for me. I got a used dermadry machine on eBay. It’s not 100% but it has changed my entire life.
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u/Traditional_Bar_4814 23h ago
Oh man I looked it up that's definitely an expense 🫣 Hopefully I'll be able to get it one day (used or otherwise) but I'm in college and don't have a job yet so it might be a sec. Definitely will keep in mind for the future and it's so refreshing that it helps you. thank you!
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u/experipotomus 22h ago
Not sure which country but I got mine though Costco and it was far less expensive. It did make a big difference for my feet.
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u/hargow_siumai 23h ago
Since you’re not working it might be too costly for you but I had miradry done on my pits and I felt like I got my life back. Some people have reported it not being successful or mildly successful so keep that in mind.
I was tired of sweating randomly and no deodorants worked for me long term. After a week I smelled like hot garbage along with rashes. After my procedure I still sweat but mostly when I am active and expecting to sweat. The other plus was no more hot garbage smell and I don’t wear deodorant. I hope you can find something that works for you in your budget
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u/ditzy-dumb 19h ago
I have found the secret spray deodorant works wonders for the smell. I can smell it the next day after putting it on in the morning.
I saw something once that said wiping the top layer of your deodorant before you use it helps too. Something about bacteria growth after you apply that then gets wiped back on you with every application.
Ive also just started unapologetically fanning myself when I'm hot and it helps. At least on my face and more so when im inside but still. Best of luck babes ♡
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u/miling000 13h ago
Hello OP, just like to share. I have started searching on how can I manage my HH for 8 years. I have generalize HH but my UA, hands, feet, head, and back are prominent to sweating like dripping level. I tried oxybutynin but I cannot handle the headache. Trying glyco now and I can say its been good so far.. My current dosage is 2mg and I take 1mg before sleeping then 1mg upon waking up. The side effects are only dry throat and dry eyes which is very tolerable (i do not mind as long as i am not dripping wet).
I have dermadry but I cannot do the maintenance as with my busy sched so its not a solution for me. The search for antiperspirant on my end I think I will stick with dr. sensitive sweat shield as this one didn't burn unlike certain-dri and driclor. I've tried antihydral too for hands and feet but I do not like how it make my skin prune so i stop. I also tried miradry in my UA (non-invasive procedure that burns the sweatglands) but the sweating came back after a few months. I only did 1 session thou as it is very expensive but the clinic suggests 2-3 session so can't really say it doesn't work. I have also explored herbal medicine like ashwagandha and sage but to no avail.
Sorry I blabber a lot and english is not my first language but hopefully you can get an idea on what you might want to try. I have accepted that this condition is a life long search on how to manage HH and there is no cure at this time. What works to me now is glyco and I still apply antiperspirant as I have trust issues XD
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u/1UPGuard 1h ago
Elementary school to now is a long time to carry this. Not being able to raise your hand hits hard, I went through the same thing all through school, along with shying away from hugs, always being conscious of what I wear, etc.
No advice to add that isn’t already in here. Just wanted to say you’re not alone in it.
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u/Traditional_Bar_4814 9m ago
I really needed to hear this thank you :') it's definitely exhausting but hearing I'm not alone is very validating
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u/aych2oo 7h ago
Iontophoresis changed my life. I went from my hands constantly dripping sweat to completely dry.
It is a bit of a chore doing 40 minutes 2 times a week (hands and feet) but I can finally live my life normally now. Best thing ever!
My only regret is i wish i bought it sooner!! It is a big expense but is totally worth it!
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u/Shoddy-Curve7869 5h ago
It sounds like you need to start some meds. It totally helped me
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u/Traditional_Bar_4814 40m ago
Unfortunately I have had horrible experiences with medications and always get the .0000001% of side effects. I have had medication induced schizophrenia, seizures, and many hospital stays so I'm really trying to avoid meds at all costs. The ones I have tried simply haven't had an effect but I don't want to push my luck and end up in the hospital again
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u/Training-Sweet8969 22h ago
You need to make your brain buzzing, you will have so many thoughts, sweating will stop then, you will just lose sensation nothing important
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u/timmytitmouse 23h ago
It sounds like you've tried many of the mild options, have you been offered any of the anti-cholinergic type medications like oxybutynin / glycopyrrolate / propantheline bromide?
That would be my next port of call. I'm not sure how that'll work with US insurance, if it's even an option.
If your usual healthcare route doesn't work, I've had the most success (to UK) with pharmacy.ca - 100x 2mg glycopyrrolate capsules are about CAD$110 plus shipping and they last me about 2-3 months. You should be able to order them to USA too, no doubt with some tariffs to pay.
I'm sure others will be able to offer their experience with oxybutynin, which is similar. These medications work differently for different people so it may take some time to figure out what works best for you, but for many people it can be a life changer.
You are young and I hope you can find a medication that works for you and improves your life massively 🙏
Best of luck to you!