Excessive head and face sweating

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I am 63 and for the last 22 years have suffered with excessive sweating on my head and face, which seems to be getting worse.  This is uncomfortable and embarrassing.  If I do anything even slightly energetic (hoovering, ironing etc.) it is worse, and it takes a long time for me to cool down.  I was referred to a dermatologist who prescribed pills, which just dried up my eyes (red, sore and bloodshot within 30 mins) and mouth (making it impossible to eat or even speak).  She point blank refused to consider any other treatment, even telling me botox does not work for the face, which i know is untrue.  This condition, to other people, seems trivial but it is not.  In the summer I cannot go outside, so I can't even play with my grandchildren.  I certainly couldn't go out shopping or to a social event, the sweat drips off me and my hair is drenched within minutes.  I obviously cannot use make-up, or even have a decent hairstyle, which zaps the confidence.  I do have a thyroid problem but that is well controlled.  I am a little overweight but not much.  I have other non-related medical conditions (arthritis, fibromyalgia).  Has anyone any experience of the new gadget around which includes a mask for the face, plugged into a machine - sorry I can't remember the name of it.  I know they are very expensive but I am desperate.  Any helpful tips would be great.  Thank you. 

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  • Posted

    Hi there. I found some relief from this hot head and sweating problem. Fruit polyphenols. I don't know how, and know it sounds ridiculous. Three times it made a very significant difference. My hot head and sweating problem had been getting slowly worse since I was a teenager and now it's almost gone.

    • Posted

      Thanks!  I just ordered a supplement that was high with Fruit Polyphenols.  I’ll try anything if it has some potential.  

      I’m in NYC, so I have access to some of the best doctors and facilities in the US.  I’ve literally been to a dozen doctors, including internists, Rhuemotolgists, cardiologists, pshychiatrists, therapists, psychotherapists, and neurologists with no success.  I’ve had multiple blood and urine tests for every possibility from Lyme disease to tumors.  Everything comes back on the normal or negative range, with the exception of an increased creatine kinase result (twice) - probably due to some leg muscle atrophy from a back surgery I had 20 years ago.   I’ve been taking glycopyrollate on days where I have a lot of activity outside the house with a dry mouth side effect, but I’d love to find an alternative.  I’ll report back if I see any positive results.

    • Posted

      A compound primarily found in red fruits.  There are supplements that you can take which have highly concentrated forms so you can get a super high daily dosage.  
    • Posted

      Thanks I looked this up and saw the price range was all over the place. Do you recommend a brand?  Hate to buy the pricey one if the lower priced one will work just the same. Also do you just take it once a day?
  • Posted

    I have had this problem of sweating profusely on my scalp and face! As you and the others i drip terribly and my head is soaked. I work with the public which is quite humiliating and affects my time at work and everywhere. I have talked to my dr. She doesnt think its my meds causing it. She said she couldnt give me anything to help.it. It is interferring with my life not to.mentiin my self confidence. I dont have to explain how bad it is for you all know. Should i try a dermatoligist i must recieve hep somewhere, somehow! Thank you!!
    • Posted

      If you read this entire thread you’ll see many suggestions for medications or supplements to help this problem.  Personally, I am taking Oxybutynin and it has changed my life.  The side effects are a rather dry mouth, but not terrible for me.  I just drink plenty of water and chew gum. This is an off label use for this medication, so you may have to tell your doctor about it! Good luck!
  • Posted

    I am so happy to know that their are other people that has this sweating problem.  I first noticed this problem sitting in class and my armpits start dripping down my side.  On my last high school football game, when I tried to run off the field, but fell to the ground because my whole body was cramping up.  I sweated out that night and a few more times doing my football career.  No matter the weather condition, if I start any movement that exceeds a minute, I will start dripping from my head, face and armpits.  and it takes a long time to cool off.  Summer time is the worst.  But I constantly have to have a towel with me everywhere I go, or have to go to the bathroom and grab paper towels, just in case my body will get heated up from something.  I stuff paper towels in my armpits in church, so nobody will see my sweaty armpits at the end of service.  I never where gray clothing or anything that will reveal the moisture.  It really has become a problem in the last 10 years, when I started my junk removal business, that at the end of a long day, no matter how much water I drink, I will sweat out and my hands will start cramping severely, different other body parts will follow.  While I am working, I have to have a small towel wrapped around my head, with a hat to cover it, just so the sweat will temporarily stay out of my eyes, and most of the time, I will have to remove the towel and ring it out.  I also will keep a small towel in my shirt and backside to absorb the sweat.  after taking my boots off, my socks are damp and the skin on my feet are moist and wrinkled, "looks almost like sitting in the bathtub to long" .  I have to replace my belt at least once a year, because of the damage of having to much moisture on it.  I also forgot to add, that while I am working, with the towel wrapped around my head, that I still have so much sweat coming down, that the skin on my face get irritated from the constant wiping.   I stay away from hot tubs and saunas.  After taking a shower, If the shower is too warm, I will sweat for a while afterwards.  I will even try cold showers when my body is overheated after a long day of work, and I will still sweat for at least 30-45  minutes afterwards.

      I am almost 47 years old and I am held hostage by my excessive sweating and nobody can tell me how to control it.  I am told acupuncture can do it, but not a believer in it to try it.  I will look up this product called oxybutynin and see if it can work, but I am open to any suggestions.  Please help me.  Thanks for reading

    • Posted

      Oxybutynin has changed my life.  I spent the afternoon with my grandsons in the park today.  Something I would never have dared to do before, because at the first sign of heat or exertion, I would have had sweat running down my forehead into my eyes.  I can’t tell you how much this has helped me.  Just try it!
    • Posted

      So far I haven’t found anything that works. Someone suggested fruit polyphenols so I ordered them and have been taking them for about three weeks with no results. They come in a variety of prices so I went with the middle cost. Don’t know if the more expensive ones are any better. If you find something please let me know. Thanks
    • Posted

      I have been on Oxybutynin for years for bladder control but it doesn’t do anything for the sweating. 
  • Posted

    Hello

    I am not sure if this will be any help. I too have sufferred this past 6 years with the same problem. I am about to see an Endocrinolists tomorrow but something amazing has happened. My doctor found I had high blood pressure 6 weeks ago and has been giving me medication to bring it down The first two tablets she prescribed gave me swellen ankles so she has given gave me Indapamide 2.5 Mg which have brought the swelling down.  However I have not had any head or body sweats since I started these tablets I of course will tell the doctor tomorrow to see what they say.  It is like a miracle !!!  Cannot beleive it. I am 78 years of age and was beginning to think I would have to stop going out as it was so annoying to. Not sure why these tablets have worked but they are water tablets? Will let you in a few weeks if they continue to work. I too have thyroid problem under control and also arthritis.   Only taken these tablets for 10 days now.

    • Posted

      Yes, This was interesting and potentially helpful for me. I have mildly high BP, so maybe using a diuretic like Indapamide would also stop my horrible head and face sweating. They are safer than some other types of bp meds.
    • Posted

      Yes I cannot see any difficulty in trying these tablets. I forgot to say that they also sorted out the 'urgency' problem i have getting to the loo!!

      I wnet back to the doctor to see if she could help as as well as the head sweats I was getting wet under the breasts and crease of arm and small of back etc.

      After much trial and error I managed to get this appoinment with Endrinologist later today.

      Regards Mary

    • Posted

      Hello Again

      ​Saw the Endocrinologist this afternoon. Lovely doctor. He said that in many of these cases they can not solve the problem!  He stated as I have had these head sweats for over 5 years any serious health problems would have shown up by now. He does not need to see my again. I have to collect urine samples over a 24 hour period.  My blood result and other urine results were excellent

      ​I would have been devastated by his findings had it not been that I have had no sweats since taking

      the new tablets.  If I find that the tablets solve my problem I will certainly tell everyone I know who suffers and hopefully some of you on this site will also try.

      ​Fingers crossed xxx

       

    • Posted

      Thank you Mary for this information. I’m going to check it out with my doctor. 
    • Posted

      Thanks, Mary.  I completed a 24 hour BP monitor and my BP was fluctuating wildly.  I just started on Chlorthalidone 25mg, which I believe is in the same family as what you’re taking.  It’s only been 2 days and I haven’t really ventured outside the house, but I haven't really broken into a major sweat!  Like you, I’ve done the bloods (so many times) and 24 hr urine tests, and everything always comes back fine.  I hope this works.

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