Excessive Sweating (Hyperhidrosis)
Hyperhidrosis causes sweating that goes well beyond what your body needs for temperature regulation — sweat that shows up unpredictably, often on the palms, underarms, or feet, regardless of temperature or activity level. Residents of Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates, and the surrounding area come to Schaumburg Dermatology for an evaluation and a treatment plan tailored to their symptoms.
What Hyperhidrosis Is
Hyperhidrosis isn’t life-threatening, but it’s disruptive. It can affect how you dress, how you shake hands, how you write, and how comfortable you feel in social or professional situations. Because the causes and severity vary from person to person, treatment starts with understanding your specific pattern of sweating.
When to See a Doctor
Many patients decide it’s time for treatment when they notice one or more of the following:
- Painful chafing
- Body odor
- Having to constantly change clothes due to underarm sweating
- Feeling self-conscious to the point of avoiding social situations
- Difficulty writing due to slippery palms or sweat soaking through the ink on a page
- Reluctance to shake hands
If any of this sounds familiar, it’s worth having a conversation with a provider rather than continuing to manage around it.
Treatment Options
We treat hyperhidrosis with medical therapy — prescription topical treatments and oral medication — and with iontophoresis, a treatment that uses a mild electrical current through water to reduce sweating of the hands or feet. Your provider will walk you through which approach, or combination, fits where you sweat and how severe it is. We do not offer Botox injections for sweating.
What to Expect at Your Consultation
Your visit starts with a thorough consultation in which we consider all of your skin issues, not just the sweating, and recommend the best possible course of treatment based on where the sweating occurs and how it’s affecting your daily life.
The consultation takes about 15 minutes. Follow-up visits are scheduled as needed to see how the treatment is working and adjust it.
Cost and Insurance
Coverage for hyperhidrosis evaluation and treatment varies by plan, so please confirm with your insurance provider in advance. We accept most major insurance plans; if we are out of network with your plan or you don’t have insurance, our published Direct Care pricing applies. Treatment cost depends on the method and the areas treated and is discussed at your visit.
Schedule an Appointment Today
If you’re ready to stop managing your life around excessive sweating, call or text us at 847-534-0700 or book online to schedule a consultation.
Frequently asked questions
What is hyperhidrosis?
Hyperhidrosis is a condition that causes excessive and unpredictable sweating, most often on the palms, underarms, or feet, that goes beyond what the body needs to regulate its temperature.
Is hyperhidrosis dangerous?
Hyperhidrosis is not a life-threatening condition, but it can cause significant physical discomfort, such as chafing, and emotional discomfort, such as social self-consciousness, that makes treatment worthwhile for many patients.
What treatments does Schaumburg Dermatology offer for excessive sweating?
We offer medical therapy — prescription topical treatments and oral medication — and iontophoresis, tailored to where the sweating occurs and how severe it is. We do not offer Botox for sweating.
How much does hyperhidrosis treatment cost?
It depends on the treatment method and the areas treated, and on your insurance coverage, so confirm coverage with your plan in advance; the exact cost is discussed at your consultation. If we are out of network or you don’t have insurance, Direct Care pricing applies.
Do I need a referral to be seen for excessive sweating?
That depends on your insurance plan’s requirements, so check with your plan before booking; the practice itself does not require a referral.
Can hyperhidrosis affect just my hands or feet, or does it always involve the whole body?
Hyperhidrosis commonly appears in specific areas, such as the palms, underarms, or feet, though the pattern varies from person to person, which is why your consultation focuses on your specific symptoms.