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Excessive head and face sweating

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gill22568
gill22568

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. 

29 likes, 808 replies

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  • jeanne70329
    jeanne70329 gill22568

    Posted

    Happy to read that at least one patient on this Forum may have found relief from the the excess sweating problem that we all suffer from by taking diuretics but I have been on blood pressure and diretecs for years and I still am plagued with “the curse”. I just wanted to “weigh in” on medications.  
  • elaine77404
    elaine77404 gill22568

    Posted

    I also have this problem! It started with menopause 14 years ago they have never stopped and its awful! I carry loads of kitchen roll around with me, tissues just disintegrate! I'm still waking in the night every couple of hours throwing blankets off then on again, I can probably understand they may be anxiety (amongst other things)  related as the sweating is accompanied by panicky feeling growing from my stomach. I was hoping that this year maybe they would start to lessen!!! Actually I had heard that acupuncture may help and wondered if anyone has tried this and what were the results.

    • gatorsxray
      gatorsxray elaine77404

      Posted

      Elaine, Were you ever offered hormone replacement for that problem? It certainly saved me from waking up covered in sweat every night, and bursting into sweating attacks at the first bit of emotion. I was miserable! I went to a gynecologist who specialized in HRT, matching your total health to the right one, and he was very irritated that my other doctors had taken me off the hormones when I was diagnosed with heart disease. He said estrogen helps protect women from heart disease, its why women's heart risk doesn't go up like men's until after menopause and the estrogen production stops. He said some heart surgeons will start estrogen gel on a bandage over the surgical site to get it's benefit started asap.

      The only clear contraindication based on the scientific evidence would be a hx of breast cancer. I've been on a combination drug of estradiol and progesterone (which protects your uterus if you have one) for many yrs with no problems. I know this might not be the solution for you, but perhaps this info will help someone else out there with menapause symptoms who are afraid to use hormone replacement.

      My current sweating problem isn't at all similar to the hot flash sweats I had from menapause. This is likely related to the high doses of steroids I take for an autoimmune disease. Once the sweating starts, it is mostly head and face, and lasts unabated for about 2-3 hours, or if I go out in the heat. I have no heat tolerance at all, or it starts up. It does not seem to have that same burning skin heat in my back like my hotflashes did, and my hot flashes were over faster. My mom complained constantly of the same problem on prednisone for her RA. I think mine is Karma for not taking her problem seriously when she complained about it, LOL! I wish I could have her back now so I can say, Mom, I get it now!! This totally sucks!

  • jackiek101
    jackiek101 gill22568

    Posted

    I have the same problem and this helps so much. It seems Dr's do not try to find problem. Thanks for information, I'm definitely going to talk to my doctor about this.

  • gatorsxray
    gatorsxray gill22568

    Posted

    gill22568, Do you take Lyrica and/or Tramadol for your arthritis and fibromyalgia? I take both of those, and seem to have started with the bad head sweating when I started on the Tramadol. I've heard others say that it causes sweating. Just curious.

    • Dana58
      Dana58 gatorsxray

      Posted

      Hi I was given Lyrics to see if my Head Sweating was Anxiety or not but had to come off them because I became very Verbally Violent to my Adult Son who looks after me. My personality changed till I was unable to see reason when talking over anything. Till the Day I threw something at him. It was horrific for me that this could happen. I knew then I was in trouble. My Son said Mum you need to throw those new tablets away. I did and every thing was fine again but they did not help with my Sweating so at least I tried. It's hard to explain to a a doctor about This Craniofacial Hyperhydrosis. Thanks for the name of my Problem Alison07722. I will try Druitrisitol tablets again. I use to take them ages ago but my Urologist put me on Betomin instead as my Dry Mouth Syndrome was extreme but if it help the Sweating I will try anything as over the years it has become extreme whether Eating Drinking anything, out in the Sun or Freezing weather I am Sweating. I am becoming a Hermit due to the embarrassment. Yes I do have Depression and many other Medical Problems but not High Blood Pressure. I am taking 2 lots of HRT meds now due to Malabsorption due to my Gastric Bypass (Y). If anything my Testosterone levels are low but that's great at the Moment as I don't feel I could keep someone with these problems but life has Problems. If anyone finds a Answer I'm sure we all would try it. Also Elaine 77404 if you have tried Accepunture please Share. Thanks Danna58

  • alison07722
    alison07722 gill22568

    Posted

    I suffer from craniofacial hyperhydrosis. I've been researching alternative therapies since nothing I've tried has helped. My situation worsens if I drink alcohol of any kind....red wine, white wine, beer, mixed drinks, etc. So a friend told me this is common in the Asian population (red sweaty face when drinking) and a common way to manage it is to take a Pepcid 30 minutes before going out. I've done this now a few times and OMG IT WORKS. It actually is helping with my cranio hyperhydrosis. I'm going to talk to my DR so I can fully understand how Pepcid could help out but I'm just sharing for now.

     

    • paolad
      paolad alison07722

      Posted

      Thank you for this info. After joining this forum I’ve scheduled an appt with my doctor and will see what they think of all of this. I just want to have a way to control this. I feel like a slob when it’s happening and it makes it very difficult when I’m with clients. I hope i can get some answers for all of us because i honestly thought i was alone in this. 
  • Dana58
    Dana58 gill22568

    Posted

    Hi Gill22568

    I am going through every thing you mentioned except My thyroid is fine.

    I am so upset that every where I go I wipe up tons of sweat off my face. I take Men's Handkerchiefs with me. Tissues are hopeless. I wear Makeup only for Special occasions but had to find one that at least got me to the function & looked ok. I used to use Revlon Colour Stay products. Foundation & Powder to Set also the Waterproof eye liners plus the Eye Shadows. Over last Five years my Sweating got worse so I moved on to Thin Lizzy's Concealers. I used it as a Foundation. The Adds online showed people using it over Tattoos & yes It stayed on a lot longer. Now they have a Foundation but I mix them to a better result but still use Waterproof Eyeliner. (Makeup is not expensive).

    One Phyc I had was in her Thirtys said to me at 59 I don't need Makeup when I go out. So it's not necessary. I felt so angry inside I wanted to yell at her Wakeup I need to feel good when I go out. Not look like I've been working all day in the Sun. It help your confidence. She should have know that. You can understand why I never went back to her.

    No one understands our problems as they don't experience them. I was peeling potatoes with my Carer & she said as the sweat was running down over the tip of my nose. I would hate the thought of coming here for tea. Sorry she said but she was right. It happens at Any time Anywhere. As soon as my body starts to warm up in the morning it takes awile till the fan or Airconditioner lowers my Body Temp Sweats. Even in Mid Winter.

    I am also at my wits end trying to find anything that works. Mine started in about 1997 and increased its attack. I have Been told also that Botox Works so I'm going for it. Apparently this works for 6months or More depends on how severe your problem are. Here in Australia its $500 for the Needle but another $500 for the Doctor to do it. As a Dermatologist he deals with these things all the time But he specialises in Excessive Sweating of the whole Body. I had a appointment with him 12months ago but was not sure about the cost. Now my problem is getting worse & becoming dangerous to me. It's causing dizzyness & a feeling of being really sick & exhausted after a attack. I am due to See him middle June so I have my money & I am going to try it. I Will definately let you know what happens.

    Ok. Now You. Honestly my thoughts about the Mask go for it. Try it. I have not heard about this treatment so the Injections are all I have.

    But noticed someone said Accupuncture so I will try that before my June appointment . Please keep in touch. Look after yourself. I will let you know about All

    Thanks Dana58

  • linda53690
    linda53690 gill22568

    Posted

    I am 71 and have stopped wearing a hormone patch .  I have starting swearing so bad it drips off my face and hair will almost be completely wet.  I thought it may be contributing to me not being able to loose weigh easily .  Should I go back on patch to avoid this excessive sweating .  I live in middle , ga. .  It can get pretty hot from April - September.  Does hormone  patch help to stop my sweating. 
    • Dana58
      Dana58 linda53690

      Posted

      Hi Linda

      Sorry to hear you have our problem no one seems to know what causes it or does not want to ???. Anyway im 60yrs old & im on 2 HRT tablets. Look if it ok for you to take it how can it hurt. It may even help you loose weight. Get your Dr. To check your Hormone levels. HRT look up what its does for us. Dont get angry with me girls but I thought its for us Girl through Menopause & after because our body does not do good with our hormones like Oestrogen etc. Also as we get older the lining of the Vagina Wall gets thin & dry so Vagina Peseries are recomended. (Helps lots)Also your complexion can improves. look all of us here have this horrid problem. Mine has got so bad now it travels from top of head to wetting my whole shoulder area. Also I was over weight & blamed Sweating on that. American Size 32plus but had Gastric Surgery. No it got worse. Anyway good luck. Hope things improve for you.

  • diana91800
    diana91800 gill22568

    Posted

    I am 72 years old - this has been with me forever and a day - meds -nothing- accupuncture nothing, hypnosis, nothing.  I read a reply that someone took Indapamiode- high blood pressure/diuretic.  Did the research, sent to my doctor and she said "let's try it."  They really do not care - I have tried all kinds of different doctors.  Some very very sympathetic but "sorry nothing we can do."  I am on Hormone replacement -  There are times when my anxiety  is so over the top, everyone backs off from me.  I work.  They gave to new vents in my office.  I'm going to see if medical marijuana has anything next.  Well, let's be thankful we got up this morning.  

     

  • stephanie41818
    stephanie41818 gill22568

    Posted

    I suffer from this horribly!! I’m so happy to have found people that go through what I experience everyday, although I wish none of you suffered with this. I am 29 yrs old and have been dealing with horrible sweating my entire life, always the first one to sweat first in gym, dance class etc... but once I had my son things got sooooo much worse. I can’t even take a shower not a minute later I’m sweating. My hair gets soaked then my back then my underarms and groin. I am overweight and I have high blood pressure. I take medications for desperation and blood pressure but have yet to have any of my doctors help me with this. I have had my thyroid tested but it comes back normal. I just want a break I can’t even get dressed up to go out to eat with my boyfriend, go to the store, or even take the trash out without sweating! 
    • jan53959
      jan53959 stephanie41818

      Posted

      Please try the Oxybutynin.  I read about it in a discussion and it has entirely stopped my excessive sweating.  Some days I don’t take it at all and am still dry.
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