Excessive head and face sweating
Posted , 301 users are following.
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
bargainmom10 gill22568
Posted
This “disease” is one which has been largely ignored, as many otherwise, caring doctors, either think it isn’t something that is happening as the patient is describing, or think it is an actual problem for their patient, but one which isn’t bad enough for either of them to spend office time trying to fix.
As I have been reading all of your helpful, sad, hurting, and hopeful comments, I felt as if I have found my home. I have found a place where I feel I could say, and know someone understands, when I say how this takes away the life you once knew, and replaces it with embarrassment, as people look and wonder what is wrong with you, and also gives a life of constant explanations and apologies. Things like “I don’t know why I am so sweaty. My doctor’s can’t seem to figure it out either”, or “I am sorry I am dripping sweat and understand if you don’t want to hold or touch me”. The whole time we deal with these things, we hope and hope that someone will find the answer for us. An answer which could end our silent, yet visible, suffering.
Even though many of you have stated the things your doctors think may be causing this misery, there is one possible answer to that question that I didn’t read in this discussion. The answer my doctor’s offered to me, was a form of Dysautonomia, called POTS, which is short for Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome. I am not an expert by any means, but my doctor says your heart rate and blood pressure don’t always respond to external stimuli as it should, thereby causing your body, to basically short circuit. This short circuiting causes a form of anxiety, a fight-or-flight type response, which causes the sweating and other symptoms to start. Other than sweating, dizziness upon standing, bending, or other changes of body position, and fainting , are also symptoms that a person with POTS often exhibit.
After undergoing a stress test, tilt table test, and a battery of other test and checks, I wasdiagnosed with POTS. My doctor at that time prescribed Clonazepam, which I took with great success for many years after my diagnosis. After a stroke in 2008, I was taken off my medication for the POTS.. Once I recovered enough to be able to realize the original diagnosis for my sweating problem, I once again started with a medication to help me. I now take beta- blockers, and make sure to keep my follow-up appointments at the Mitral-Valve Prolapse Center in Birmingham, AL.
If you are not being helped by your current treatment, and are close enough to be able to visit this center, I think it would be well worth your time and money. No matter what diagnosis or treatment plan you are trying, and no matter where those may come from, I wish you success in solving this horrible, sweating way of life.
gatorsxray bargainmom10
Posted
doris68484 bargainmom10
Posted
brad437 gill22568
Posted
Missy7581 brad437
Posted
Hi brad537,
Can I ask if you live in the UK or in the USA. I am from the UK and alot of these meds that are mentioned are prescriped for people in the USA. When i went to my doctor about 6/7 weeks ago he asked me are any of these you have seen prescribed to people in the USA well they where and he wasn't prepared to give me any of them. He has put be on Clonidine, started on 2 tablets twice a day no change, put me up to 3 twice a day bit of a change but nothing wow. Going to ring back tomorrow because they said their is other things we can try, so I will let know. X
brad437 Missy7581
Posted
My doctors understand my frustration and want to help, so I’ve been fortunate that they will mostly let me try anything that I ask for. I, like most here, have spent countless hours researching blogs and medical sites for anything at all that I can try. The Amlodipine was given to me because my BP readings were fluctuating and indicated pre-hypertension. There wasn’t even a thought that this would help the sweating! Amlodipine is the generic name for Novasc here in the US, but it seems that anything in that family of BP med (calcium channel blocker) should offer the same benefit. Good luck, I hope you get some relief.
katie_h. brad437
Posted
I was very interested in your message, I have not been having the symptoms as long as you but am still finding them very embarrassing, I tend to wear headbands to stop it dripping I onto my shoulders or face, but it is difficult when you want to get dressed up. Doctors I have seen seem to brush it off as a fact of getting older and not one has offered any treatment, I have been thinking of going back to the GP and asking again, but getting an appointment is difficult and as I don't have an emergency it seems inappropriate to take one of the few appointments there are, I just use fans and open doors and Windows, any self help ideas are welcome.
Missy7581 brad437
Posted
Clonidine are for blood pressure but they are bot working but they have higherd them once and have said they can go higher but they do course you to h
Have low blood pressure but i have been fine blood pressure wise so I am goung to ring them tomorrow about increasing the dose and see how i get on and I will let you all know. X
Missy7581 katie_h.
Posted
Hi Katie h
You shouldn't have to live that way or feel that way. I have suffered with this terribly head sweating fo 8 yrs now and in June of this year I decided enough was enough and I wasn't being fobed of anymore. I had a big wedding coming up and it was making me so anxious just thinking of this facial & head sweating in this wedding. I phoned my doctors told what had been gojng on and that I new their where meds they could put me on only from joining this group and he put me on Clonidine 2 tablet twice a day done nothing so put me up to 3 twice a day and I do see some change but not much but they have told me they can go higher or try other things, as where before they just brushed it of but not this time. I had all the different medication people had or were on written down on paper so I could read them and they give me meds over the phone, I just thought 8 yrs I've not gone to party's, weddings any type of gatherings out of embarrassisment but because i had proof he give them to me over the phone. XXX
brad437 Missy7581
Posted
dan90929 gill22568
Posted
I've been tormented with excessive head sweating for the last 20 years. it has ruined countless social events including my wedding in the most humiliating way I can imagine. I have spent many years avoiding even common social situations.
I have recently started to date again and go on job interviews. This condition is absolutely detrimental to both persuits.
After reading this discussion and others online I tried over the counter oxybutynin patches which did not help at all.
I went to the doctor and asked for a prescription of oxybutynin. The Dr was not familiar with this usage as it is off-label. I took printouts from this discussion and told him how much this condition affects my life. He was hesitant to prescribe it but did his own research and decided to let me try it. He prescribed up to two 5mg tablets per day.
It has absolutely and completely changed my life. I am able to do anything I want now without worrying about head/face sweating. I take Oxybutinyn only when I know I'll need it, about an hour before a social situation, on an empty stomach. I take one 5mg tablet for most things, two if I anticipate heavy physical activity or extremely stressful situations. I can even stay dry when everyone else is sweating.
It does cause dry mouth and my contact lenses get dry so I carry eyedrops and a toothbrush /paste which both fit easily in my pocket. I don't mind because my pockets used to be filled with washcloths to wipe away the sweat. Because it stops normal sweating I am careful not to let my body temperature get too hot. The Dr. also told me to be careful to urinate regularly even if I don't feel the need to go as the Oxybutinyn reduces the feeling of a full bladder.
The tablets are not very expensive and I was able to get a discount using GoodRX to bring the price down even more. It costs less than a dollar for me to be able to enjoy social events like a normal person. Incredible!
BTW, I am really enjoying dating now and socializing, doing all the things I've missed out on for so long.
margaret_53580 dan90929
Posted
hi dan 90929 i must find oug if we can that meds here in the uk my life is so boring dud to the sweating drives me mad an makes you feel do depressed at times im so very pleased you have found something an nos youf life is sonewhat normal now goid luck with the dating to
Missy7581 margaret_53580
Posted
Hi margarte 5,
I've been suffering the same for yrs but i just couldn't cope anymore so I spoke to a different doctor and I honestly thought he was going to say yr on far 2 much meds to take another tablet but he didn't. I take 3 Clonidine in the morning and 3 in the evening. I am not100% but I would definitely say 75% because it ruled my life. I continuously looked like I had stepped out of the shower, I only had to be sitting in the chair and I would start to feel the water coming out of the pores of my head & running down my neck, face and basically feel like i was burning. But these are helping so far touch wood. XXX
gatorsxray margaret_53580
Posted
I don't know if you have tried this product, but there is a box of packets called SweatBlock. Each packet contains a wipe that you can use to dab over your face, hairline, neck, etc, and it stops sweating wherever you use, it for about a week.
You apply it at a time when you aren't sweating, let it dry overnight, and shower or wash as usual the next day.
Pros: I was dry everywhere I used it, even when sweating elsewhere, and it lasted for at least a week.
Cons: Unless you're bald, you can't use it all over on your head. (I did soak it into my scalp about an inch or so into my hairline.)
It's kind of expensive, $19 a box. The box only contains 8 packets (if you need to use 2 wipes each time, a box will only last 4 weeks instead of 8.)
So far I am pleased with not having my face dripping all over the place!
Lisawking gatorsxray
Posted
is this a prescription?
alison07722 gatorsxray
Posted
DRYSOL is a bottle of liquid you dab all over your head before you go to bed and wake up and wash it out when you shampoo. Stops head sweating for a week. Sounds like the same thing as your face wipes. I bet they'd work great together. My insurance paid for the DRYSOL .
jan53959 dan90929
Posted
Oxybutynin absolutely changed my life! I commented on this thread about it many months ago. its wonderful to feel normal.
gatorsxray alison07722
Posted
Thanks! I will give that a try!
dan90929
Posted
This is a follow up to my original post.
I have recently completed a 3 day project which required both heavy physical activity and close extended social interaction with hundreds of strangers for around 12 hours per day. Normally this would have been an absolute nightmare filled with anxiety and lots of sweat, trying to sneak away for a minute to dry my hair and face which never really worked. I took one 5 mg oxybutinyn each morning and stayed completely dry the entire time. I always thought the sweating was caused by anxiety but it turns out to be the opposite. The anxiety was caused by the sweating and fear of sweating and ultimately having an uncomfortable social situation. With the sweating gone, I had zero anxiety and actually enjoyed all three days, meeting and talking to people, taking time to actually enjoy the conversations.
This stuff to me is a life changing miracle. It has absolutely made me a different person. If you have excessive head & face sweating that causes problems in your life you should absolutely give this a try. I just ordered 180 tablets for $46 which will last me at least 3 months but probably closer to 6 months. That's without insurance.
katie_h. margaret_53580
Posted
Hi Margaret. did you find out if we can get it on prescription in the UK.?
jan53959 dan90929
Posted
Oxybutynin has absolutely been a lifesaver for me. many complain about dry mouth, but that's such a minor inconvenience compared to a sweat drenched face and head. Chew gum and drink lots of water. Then I bought an iontepherisis machine and it was a great help too. My feet were sweaty, I had toenail fungus because of the dampness. Nothing helped until I got my feet dry. This machine also helps with face sweating if you buy the face mask to use with it. It can be used for sweaty palms and underarms too. It is time consuming, but worth the effort. I'm dry most of the time, thanks to iontepherisis, but if the humidity if very high, I take Oxybutynin. Be dry!
gatorsxray Lisawking
Posted
Sorry! I just now saw your question. No. This is not a prescription. You can get it on Amazon!
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anna12483 Missy7581
Posted
just note: check out the negative :Clonidine is very bad for you