We may not like it, but we all sweat. Sweating is natural. Sweating is healthy. It’s only when our sweat becomes excessive and hinders our abilities to do things that it becomes a problem.

Why do we sweat? Sweating is the body’s way to cool itself. It’s essential for us to sweat to survive. Our sweat glands are activated when the body is hot, from hormones, from stress/emotions, and from exercise or strenuous physical activity.

As a hyperhidrosis specialist and surgeon, I would like to share with you some facts about sweat and sweating.

• There are 2 to 5 million sweat glands throughout the body.
• The human body has two types of sweat glands: eccrine and apocrine.
• Eccrine glands are found all over the body – these are the glands associated with hyperhidrosis.
• Apocrine glands are found in specific areas like the armpits or groin.
• Sweat that comes from the apocrine glands doesn’t have an odor, but odor usually occurs when oily fluids are combined with bacteria on the skin.
• Women have more sweat glands than men.
• Men’s sweat glands produce more sweat than women’s sweat glands.
• Some people’s sweat is salty. If your sweat tastes salty or leaves white streaks on your skin or clothes, talk to a doctor.
• During intense exercise, an athletic person can sweat 2 to 6 percent of their body weight off.
• Sweat is made up of water, salt, and potassium. Sweat caused by stress is released by a different gland and is made up of fatty acids and proteins.
• Sweat contains dermcidin, which is an antibiotic peptide that regulates bacterial growth on the skin.
• If your sweat is red, you have hematohidrosis, which is when blood vessels rupture into the sweat glands. This is rare, but yes, this means you are sweating blood.
• You can sweat blue, orange, or other colors — this is called chromhidrosis. This is also quite rare and can be treated.
• A person’s sweat is unique like a fingerprint because it’s a blend of 307 compounds unique to the person.

Sweating is normal, but if you’re sweating excessively, you should get it treated. Make an appointment with a doctor who can determine the cause of your excessive sweating and treat you, so you can get back to living life without worrying about your sweat. There are many hyperhidrosis treatment options.

Dr. Peter Mikhail is a Tampa hyperhidrosis physician and surgeon with offices in Tampa and New Port Richey, Florida. To book a consult, click our Tampa hyperhidrosis contact page or call 727-312-4844.

We all sweat; it’s a natural bodily function. Unfortunately, in our society, too much sweat is frowned upon. For those who sweat more than others, sweating can be a very stressful and embarrassing.

As a hyperhidrosis physician and surgeon, I want to share with you some hyperhidrosis facts and information. Even though many people suffer with this condition, there are a lot of misconceptions out there.

• People who have hyperhidrosis are not dirty. This condition is not the result of a person’s hygiene habits. In fact, people with hyperhidrosis probably bathe more often than other people due to their extra sweat.
• Many people with hyperhidrosis avoid satin and silk clothing. Polyester, nylon, and spandex can make people with this condition sweat more because these fabrics aren’t absorbent.
• Many people with hyperhidrosis wear fabric-lined shoes to prevent their feet from sliding around inside the shoe.
• People with hyperhidrosis can have trouble holding hands or turning a door knob due to sweat. It can be hard to use tools or put on gloves, as well.
• Hyperhidrosis is constant, but some days are worse than others.
• Certain scenarios can make a person’s hyperhidrosis worse, including stress, stressful situations, wearing a jacket, holding hands, public speaking, hot/humid weather, standing in line, shaking someone’s hand, and more.
• People with hyperhidrosis often wear longer sleeves or black clothing to hide sweat and sweat stains.
• Hyperhidrosis is undertreated because many people are too embarrassed to talk about it.
• Many people with hyperhidrosis suffer from anxiety, depression, stress, and embarrassment because of their excessive sweat.
• Many people with this condition skip events and social situations.
• There are treatment options, but they work differently on each person – what works for one person may not work for another.

Don’t suffer in silence. Your hyperhidrosis is nothing to be ashamed about. Hundreds of people live with this condition. From prescription antiperspirants to Botox injections, there are many different treatment options to help you get a handle on your sweating. The sooner you talk to a doctor, the faster your sweating will calm down.   Dr. Peter Mikhail is a Tampa hyperhidrosis physician and surgeon with offices in Tampa and New Port Richey, Florida. Dr. Mikhail will determine the best treatment plan for you based on your symptoms.  To book a consult, click our Tampa hyperhidrosis contact page or call 727-312-4844.

Do you sweat a lot? Do you sweat all day long? Do you sweat more than anyone else you know? Don’t be embarrassed – what you’re going through is a lot more common than you think. You’re not alone. If you suffer from excessive sweating, there’s a chance you have hyperhidrosis, which is a condition that can be treated through various types of treatments.

How can you tell the difference between extra sweat versus hyperhidrosis? As a hyperhidrosis physician and surgeon, I want to share with you some signs that may indicate you have hyperhidrosis.

• With hyperhidrosis, you will sweat excessively in your armpits, bottoms of feet, face, and palms.
• You avoid physical contact due to your sweating.
• You skip physical activities and exercise, so you won’t sweat more.
• Your sweat gets in the way of your job.
• Your sweat makes it hard for you to open doors, drive, or carry items.
• Your sweat makes you turn down social events.
• Your sweat makes you change your clothes several times throughout the day.
• You take multiple showers throughout the day.
• You carry around towels, extra clothes, antiperspirants, and more to combat your sweat.
• You apply antiperspirants several times per day.
• You wear long sleeves or jackets often to hide sweat or sweat stains.

If this sounds familiar, you may have hyperhidrosis. It’s time for you to talk to a doctor. There are several treatments that can potentially calm down your excessive sweating including prescription antiperspirants, Botox injections, anticholinergic medications, iontophoresis, and endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy.

Dr. Peter Mikhail is a Tampa hyperhidrosis physician and surgeon with offices in Tampa and New Port Richey, Florida. Dr. Mikhail will listen to your symptoms and patient history and determine the best treatment plan for you. Don’t sweat it, call Dr. Mikhail today! To book a consult, click our Tampa hyperhidrosis contact page or call 727-312-4844.

Living with excessive sweat is no fun, but there can be “relief” if you get diagnosed with hyperhidrosis. How? Treatment options. Once you’ve been properly diagnosed with hyperhidrosis, a doctor can work with you to find the best treatment that will help combat your extra sweat.

In this article, we will discuss one treatment – Iontophoresis. In short, iontophoresis is when both the hands and feet are submerged into a bowl or pan of water. An electric current (painless) is passed through the water. Patients usually need two to four 20 to 30-minute treatments before sweating decreases.

If antiperspirants don’t work for you, you may want to try iontophoresis. This treatment has been around since the 1940s. Doctors recommend this treatment to patients who have tried and failed with prescription antiperspirants.

During the treatment, an electrical current (not strong) passes through the water to your skin. This treatment is not painful, but patients may feel some tingly sensations on their skin during the treatment.  This treatment is considered safe and the current will not damage the skin.

As for side effects, some patients experience dry skin, peeling, blistering and irritation, so it is suggested that people apply moisturizer to the skin after each session.

Patients who are pregnant, have a history of seizures and epilepsy, have a heart condition, have a pace maker, have recent wounds, scars, or skin grafts, or have metal implants cannot have iontophoresis.

Research has shown that iontophoresis can reduce sweating in 85% of patients who treat their feet or palms. It is less effective (70%) with patients treating their underarms.

This treatment needs to happen regularly for a patient to see improvement. On average, a doctor will recommend weekly treatments for the rest of a patient’s life, because this treatment cannot cure hyperhidrosis. The doctor will do this treatment in his or her office, but the patient can buy a machine to use at home.

The cost of this treatment is around $150 in the doctor’s office. The iontophoresis device that you can bring home costs around $550-$950. A patient can also rent a device for $100-$150 per month. Most insurances will cover the cost.

There is a good chance this treatment will improve your hyperhidrosis, but if you travel a lot or have a busy schedule and cannot do weekly treatments, you may need to seek out another solution. Also, another treatment may be better for you if you have excessive underarm sweating.

If this treatment sounds promising to you, contact Dr. Peter Mikhail today. Dr. Mikhail will determine if you are a good candidate for this treatment. Dr. Mikhail is a hyperhidrosis physician and surgeon with offices in Tampa and New Port Richey, Florida.

Get ready to start sweating less! To book a consult, click our Tampa hyperhidrosis contact page or call 727-312-4844.

Fifteen million Americans live with hyperhidrosis but 49% of these individuals have never discussed their excessive sweating with a doctor. If you have hyperhidrosis or think you do, clearly the numbers indicate you are not alone.

For those of you who haven’t spoken to a doctor, please know there ARE treatments for what you’re experiencing. A doctor can help your symptoms improve and alleviate a lot of your extra sweat. From prescription antiperspirants to injections, there are several ways to combat hyperhidrosis.

One treatment method is medication. Two new medications, Qbrexza (Dermira) and RVT-504 (TheraVida), were put through trials recently.

Qberxza is a topical anticholinergic that patients put on their skin. Patients applied this topical treatment once a day for four weeks. In the trials, patients saw significant improvement in their sweat and had mild to moderate side effects. Side effects included dry mouth, urinary hesitation, constipation, headaches, dry nose, dilated pupils, dry throat, and dry skin.  72-77 percent of the patients saw at least a 50 percent reduction in their sweating. Qbrexza received FDA approval in 2018 and will be available at pharmacies in October 2018 in a medical cloth form. This treatment is for adults and children 9 years old and older.

RVT-504 is an oral anticholinergic combined with another medication to lessen the side effects of the anticholinergics. It helps patients with primary hyperhidrosis throughout their entire body. This medicine has demonstrated a limitation of overall sweating and reduction of dry mouth when taken twice a day. This drug is still in development and won’t be in the pharmacy soon, but hopefully will be released in the near future.

If your antiperspirant isn’t cutting it and you’re sick of taking countless showers, talk to a doctor about taking a hyperhidrosis medication. Whether it’s through medication or another hyperhidrosis treatment option, you can start to sweat less! Act now, so you can change your life!

Dr. Peter Mikhail is a hyperhidrosis physician and surgeon with offices in Tampa and New Port Richey, Florida. Dr. Mikhail will determine the best treatment plan for you based on your symptoms. To book a consult, click our Tampa hyperhidrosis contact page or call 727-312-4844.

We all sweat. We usually sweat more if we exert ourselves, are nervous, or if it’s a hot, sunny day. Some people sweat more than others, naturally. However, there is a difference between normal sweating and hyperhidrosis. You can sweat a lot, and still not have hyperhidrosis, an excessive sweating condition.

It can be hard to know if you have this disorder or if you just sweat more than the average person. Usually, hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating in one or many parts of the body that’s not related to exercise or heat. Here are some questions to ask yourself to see if you may have the condition:

• Are you afraid to go out anywhere because of the amount you sweat?
• Are you often sitting in sweat-stained clothes?
• Do you carry various supplies with you everywhere to get rid of sweat? Towel? Antiperspirants? Wipes?
• Do you change your shirts or socks often throughout the day?
• Do you soak through your clothing a lot?
• Is it hard for you to turn a doorknob, use a touchscreen, shake hands, or grab items because of how sweaty your palms are?
• Are you embarrassed to leave the house?
• Do you think a lot about how much you’re sweating?
• Do you sweat for no apparent reason?

If you answer “yes” to a few of these questions, there’s a good chance you may have hyperhidrosis, and you should talk to a doctor about your symptoms. When you go to the doctor, let him or her know what you’re currently using or doing to help combat sweat. Let him or her know if you tried other treatments before and how they worked or didn’t work. Discuss any skin irritation that has occurred from the sweating.

Sweating excessively isn’t fun. Many people suffer from hyperhidrosis, and you’re not alone in what you are going through. It’s time to take the steps to sweating less. There are several treatments that can help you. Dr. Peter Mikhail is a Tampa hyperhidrosis physician and surgeon in New Port Richey, Florida. Dr. Mikhail will ask you questions about your excessive sweating and determine the best treatment plan for you.  To book a consult, click our Tampa hyperhidrosis contact page or call 727-312-4844. Dr. Mikhail treats patients in the Tampa and Clearwater area.

If you sweat excessively and antiperspirants fail you, hope is not lost! You have a lot more options to treat your sweatiness. Have you been diagnosed with hyperhidrosis? If so, you’re not alone. In fact, you’re one of 7.8 million Americans with this condition.

If it’s determined you have hyperhidrosis, talk to your doctor about treatment options. The two of you can work together to decide what treatment is the best for you. In this article, we share with you some available treatments, so you can have an idea of what you may be interested in pursuing.

Prescription-strength antiperspirants – Usually, a doctor will recommend this first, especially because it’s noninvasive and cheaper. However, antiperspirants can irritate the skin over time from the chemicals within them.

Botox Injections – Botox can help sweating in the head, hands, underarms, and feet. An altered bacterium is injected into the skin to block nerve signals that trigger the sweat glands. The injections last for a few months, so you will need them a few times a year. This treatment can be costly.

Iontophoresis – A device sends low electrical currents to your hands and/or feet through water. This treatment needs to be done daily/weekly for life to see results.

Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS) – This is a minimally-invasive procedure where the doctor cuts a nerve to reduce the number of nerve signals that are stimulating the sweat glands. The effects of this surgery are immediate and permanent. It is proven to be effective in hands, feet, and underarms.

miraDry – This is a procedure that uses electromagnetic energy in the underarms to neutralize glands that cause sweat. Results are fast and permanent. It usually requires one or two treatments.

Tumescent liposuction – This is a surgery where the sweat glands in the underarms are removed. It is an effective treatment but results vary in every patient.

Anticholinergics – These medications block nerve transmissions. They are good for people who sweat in large areas or all over the body.

Looking to get treated for your excessive sweating? Don’t wait any longer. Contact Dr. Mikhail today! Dr. Peter Mikhail is a Tampa hyperhidrosis physician and surgeon in New Port Richey, Florida. Dr. Mikhail will ask questions then determine the best treatment plan for you based on your symptoms and medical history.  To book a consult, click our Tampa hyperhidrosis contact page or call 727-312-4844. Dr. Mikhail treats patients in the Tampa and Clearwater area.

Hyperhidrosis, which is excessive sweating, is a condition that has a lot of myths surrounding it. Why? It’s a lesser-known disease and most people have little knowledge about it, so there’s a lot of false or misleading information on it. There are 7.8 million Americans living with hyperhidrosis, so a lot of people want to know, and want other people to know, the truth about what they’re going through.

As a hyperhidrosis physician, I would like to share with you some myths about hyperhidrosis, and then share facts about the condition to set the record straight.

Myth: People with hyperhidrosis smell bad.

Truth: Excessive sweating doesn’t have a smell. The smell comes from glands other than the sweat glands.

Myth: Hyperhidrosis sufferers have larger sweat glands.

Truth: False. People with hyperhidrosis do not have bigger sweat glands. They sweat more because their nerves are not functioning properly and trigger extra sweating.

Myth: Drinking less water helps you sweat less.

Truth: Whether you drink a lot or a little, this has zero effect on the extent of your sweating.

Myth: Only antiperspirants help with hyperhidrosis.

Fact: There are several other treatments out there for hyperhidrosis that are more effective than antiperspirants, including endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS), iontophoresis, Botox injections and miraDry.

Myth: Hyperhidrosis surgery is dangerous.

Fact: There are risks with any surgery, but hyperhidrosis surgeries are minimally invasive, which is a lot less traumatic and has a better recovery rate than traditional surgeries.

If you have hyperhidrosis, make sure you know the truth about the condition. Knowledge is power. Don’t spend another minute suffering with excessive sweat. Contact Dr. Mikhail today! Dr. Peter Mikhail is a Tampa hyperhidrosis physician and surgeon in New Port Richey, Florida. Dr. Mikhail will determine the best treatment plan for you based on your symptoms and medical history.  To book a consult, click our Tampa hyperhidrosis contact page or call 727-312-4844. Dr. Mikhail treats patients in the Tampa and Clearwater area.

If you sweat a lot, antiperspirants and deodorants can be lifesavers. Unfortunately for people with hyperhidrosis, many over-the-counter antiperspirants can’t stop the excessive sweating, but prescription-level antiperspirants may do the trick. Whether you sweat a lot or a “normal” amount, you likely use an antiperspirant in your daily life. However, do you know what’s in an antiperspirant? What ingredients are in it? What is keeping you from sweating?

As a hyperhidrosis physician and surgeon, I want to share with you some main ingredients that are found in antiperspirants. It’s a good idea you know what you’re rubbing on your skin, as many of these ingredients are controversial. Researchers are worried about long-term effects.

Parabens – These were developed in the 1950s and they help preserve products and prevent bacteria from developing. Parabens include butylparaben, ethylparaben, isobutylparaben, methylparaben, and propylparaben.  It’s debated if parabens are bad for the body, because they have been known to disrupt hormones in the body, which can lead to several medical conditions.

Sulfates – Sulfates are used in foaming and cleansing products and they are known to break down proteins, which can cause cell membranes to degenerate.

Aluminum – Aluminum can plug the sweat ducts and keep moisture from leaving your sweat glands. Being a heavy metal, there is concern that it is absorbed into the skin and, over time, lead to a higher risk of breast cancer and Alzheimer’s disease.

Propylene glycol – This chemical keeps substances from drying out and was originally developed as an antifreeze product. It has been known to cause kidney damage, liver damage, and dermatitis.

For most, these ingredients are a necessary evil to keep sweat away. However, there are alternatives. There are plenty of natural antiperspirants out there that contain none of the above ingredients. But for people with hyperhidrosis, natural antiperspirants may not be enough, so other hyperhidrosis treatments like iontophoresis or endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy may be the better solution.

If antiperspirants are not working for you or you don’t want these chemicals on your skin, it’s time to talk to a doctor about alternative treatments for your hyperhidrosis. Dr. Peter Mikhail is a Tampa hyperhidrosis physician and surgeon in New Port Richey, Florida. Dr. Mikhail will determine the best treatment plan for you.  To book a consult, click our Tampa hyperhidrosis contact page or call 727-312-4844. Dr. Mikhail treats patients in the Tampa and Clearwater area.

Sweating is natural. Although it can be “gross” and uncomfortable, it’s a normal body function. Every person sweats a little differently, and some people sweat more than others. The amount a person sweats depends on genetics, gender, temperature, age, amount of exercise, weight, and fitness level.

The body has two types of sweat glands: eccrine glands and apocrine glands. There are thousands of eccrine glands in the body that regulate the body’s temperature. When the body’s temperature rises, the eccrine glands release sweat in response to stimulation from the nervous system. Apocrine glands are found in the armpits and groin. The apocrine glands produce sweat when stimulated by the body’s rising temperature, along with stress, anxiety, and hormones. Unlike eccrine glands, the apocrine glands produce bacteria that cause odor, which is why people use deodorant under their arms.

What is sweat? Sweat is a combination of water, sodium, and other bodily substances that help cool the body down. Sweating is normal, especially when exerting oneself or being in a high-temperature environment; however, if you feel you’re sweating excessively, it’s a good idea to get checked by a doctor. Excessive sweating isn’t normal, and it’s not easy (or fun) to live with. You could potentially have hyperhidrosis, a condition where the nerves are in overdrive and cause sweat to occur all day long.

Besides hyperhidrosis, there are other reasons why a person can sweat excessively, including pregnancy, diabetes, thyroid issues, perimenopause, anxiety, and medication. Whatever the reason, excessive sweating is inconvenient and not normal, and it should be evaluated by a doctor. You want to learn if you have a condition and how to properly manage it, so it does not get worse.

If you are diagnosed with hyperhidrosis, be assured that it is treatable. From antiperspirants to Botox injections, there are several treatments available to help you lead a comfortable, less sweaty, life again.

Ready to sweat less? Dr. Peter Mikhail is a hyperhidrosis physician and surgeon in New Port Richey, Florida. He will determine the best treatment plan for you.  To book a consult, click our Tampa hyperhidrosis contact page or call 727-312-4844. Dr. Mikhail treats patients in the Tampa and Clearwater area.

Excessive sweating is embarrassing. Stains on your clothes. Dampness all the time. Bad smells, even if you just showered. It’s a pain. Besides going to the doctor, there are some things you can do at home that can potentially alleviate some of your symptoms.

Your diet can be your medicine. The food we ingest can help (or harm) us. So many of the foods we eat are filled with vitamins and nutrients that can help heal our bodies and keep us thriving.

When you eat foods that are harder to break down, your internal body temperature rises, which can make you sweat more. It’s a good idea to eat foods that ease digestion. We want to share with you some foods that help reduce excessive sweating:

• Water – Water helps keep your body cooler, so your body isn’t working hard to lower its internal temperature through sweating.
• Fruits and vegetables – Choose to eat fruit and vegetables that are also loaded with water such as broccoli, grapes, watermelon, cauliflower, peppers, and spinach.
• Calcium – Calcium helps regulate body temperature, so enjoy some cheese and milk!
• Olive oil – It helps your body digest better so your body temperature won’t spike.
• Magnesium – Magnesium-rich foods such as almonds, pumpkins, and soy beans improve digestion.
• Oats – Oats are digested quickly so your body doesn’t have to work hard.
• Bananas – Bananas are loaded with potassium which is an electrolyte that helps keep you hydrated.
• Green tea, whey protein, and sweet potatoes – These foods help calm the nervous system, which can help keep sweat away.

Food cannot completely solve your excessive sweating problems, especially if you have hyperhidrosis, but it can calm down some of your symptoms. Don’t live with your extra sweat any longer! Dr. Peter Mikhail is a hyperhidrosis physician and surgeon in New Port Richey, Florida. To book a consult, click our Tampa hyperhidrosis contact page or call 727-312-4844. Dr. Mikhail treats patients in the Tampa and Clearwater area.