Secondary hyperhidrosis may cease if its underlying cause is identified and successfully treated. For instance, patients with emotionally induced hyperhidrosis may benefit from taking anti-anxiety medications or antidepressants. Primary hyperhydrosis, however, is chronic (ongoing) in duration. Therefore, its treatment focuses on relief of symptoms.

Though effective, many treatments for hyperhidrosis have been associated with side effects. Patients are encouraged to consult a physician before beginning any treatment plan. Treatment of hyperhidrosis often depends on the location and magnitude of symptoms.

Some of the more common methods of symptom relief include:

• Antiperspirants (e.g., aluminum chloride). Work by obstructing the sweat glands. Over-the-counter antiperspirants are usually only effective at treating very mild symptoms. Applied nightly, prescription–strength antiperspirants may be effective at treating patients with moderate hyperhidrosis of the underarms. The time between topical applications may be gradually lengthened if symptoms improve. Treatment with strong antiperspirants may be limited due to skin irritation. Some methods of application can lessen skin irritation, such as applying antiperspirant in the evening and washing it off in the morning.
  
  
• Botox. Interrupts chemical messages that tell sweat glands when to sweat. It is injected where hyperhidrosis occurs (e.g., underarm, hand, foot), freezing the nerve that stimulates sweat production. Although Botox helps to improve hyperhidrosis, it usually becomes less effective after six months to a year. As a result, patients will require periodic injections of Botox to maintain the effects. This can become expensive. Botox injections into the palms can also cause temporary weakening of a person's grip.  
  
  
• Surgery. In patients with moderate to severe cases of hyperhidrosis, two types of surgery may be used to control sweating:
  
  
• • Sweat gland resection. Usually performed on patients with severe hyperhidrosis of the armpits. This procedure removes the sweat glands that cause hyperhidrosis and may require skin grafts.
    
    
  • Endoscopic transthoracic sympathectomy (ETS).  Clipping of the nerves that carry messages to the sweat glands using an instrument that has a small lighted camera (endoscope). This is the most common form of surgery used in the treatment of hyperhidrosis. It is considered the most effective surgical treatment for the condition. Occasionally, the effects of this surgical procedure may not be permanent, or may restrict arm movement. ETS may also cause uncomfortable skin warmth or dryness in some cases.

Typically, surgical options are considered only after non-surgical treatment methods have failed to improve symptoms. Surgery may result in compensatory sweating, in which excessive sweating transfers from one area of the body to another. Less common side effects of surgery include gustatory sweating (facial sweating that follows eating or smelling foods) and Horner’s syndrome (a condition characterized by a drooping eyelid, constricted pupil and loss of sweating on one side of the face). 

• Iontophoresis. A process that involves passing electric currents through the skin of the affected area. Iontophoresis works by temporarily blocking sweat glands. It is most often used to treat hyperhidrosis of the palms of the hands or soles of the feet, but may be used to treat hyperhidrosis of the armpits as well. Iontophoresis is painless and has no side effects, though it may be no more effective than a strong antiperspirant for some people. Frequent treatments are necessary to control symptoms and sessions are time consuming.
  
  
• Beta blockers. A class of drugs used to treat high blood pressure and heart disease. Beta blockers may help treat hyperhidrosis related to specific emotional events by reducing the emotional stimulus that leads to hyperhidrosis. Beta blockers are not suitable for some patients with asthma or vascular (blood vessel) disease.
  
  
• Anticholinergic medications. These may be effective at reducing instances of hyperhidrosis by interrupting the neurotransmitter responsible for sweat secretion (acetylcholine). However, they are not often prescribed for this condition due to possible side effects (e.g., dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation).

There are no known prevention methods for hyperhidrosis.