Sweating Excessively and Struggling? Should You Go to a Korean Medicine Clinic Instead of Dermatology for Hyperhidrosis?
Sweating under the hot summer sun is natural. However, some people sweat much more than others, soaking their clothes and leaving hands and feet drenched, making daily life difficult. If you've ever dreaded shaking hands in important situations, panicked as sweat poured down when nervous, or struggled with excessive sweating, you are not alone. When discomfort repeats, you naturally wonder, "Where should I treat hyperhidrosis?" Should you seek treatment at dermatology, or address the root cause at a Korean medicine clinic?
💡 [Key Takeaways] Top 3 most common causes of "sweating too much": ① Autonomic nervous system imbalance ② Heart heat (心熱) ③ Stress and overwork Dalimchae Korean Medicine Clinic helps restore autonomic balance, regulates excessive sweat secretion, and resolves internal heat imbalance for fundamental hyperhidrosis treatment.
My Hands and Feet Sweat Excessively, Is It Hyperhidrosis?
Sweating is an important function for regulating body temperature. However, when sweat is secreted excessively beyond what is needed, it is hyperhidrosis. Focal hyperhidrosis concentrating on palms, soles, armpits, face, and head is most common. Primary hyperhidrosis occurs without a specific underlying disease, with hypersensitive sympathetic nerves as the main cause.
Why Does Hyperhidrosis Occur?
Unlike normal thermoregulation, hyperhidrosis involves overactive sympathetic nerves where the brain perceives daily situations as a "crisis," secreting excess sweat. In Korean medicine, it is viewed not just as a sweat gland issue, but as internal imbalance such as heart heat, spleen/stomach damp-heat, or Qi deficiency.
Dermatology vs. Korean Medicine Treatment
Dermatology offers botulinum toxin injections, iontophoresis, anticholinergic medications, or sympathectomy. While providing immediate suppression, iontophoresis requires frequent sessions, botulinum toxin is temporary, and sympathectomy carries risks of compensatory hyperhidrosis. Korean medicine focuses on improving autonomic balance and organ function through customized herbal medicine, acupuncture, moxibustion, and pharmacopuncture to normalize sweat secretion naturally. Clinical studies (e.g., Journal of Korean Oriental Internal Medicine, 2007; Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology & Otolaryngology & Dermatology, 2022) demonstrate significant improvements in quality of life (DLQI score) and treatment efficacy with herbal medicine and integrative Korean treatment.
Hyperhidrosis Symptom Checklist
Check 3 or more:
- Excessive sweating in specific areas without special reason.
- Clothes often soaked, socks/shoes damp and uncomfortable.
- Sweating worsens when nervous or stressed.
- Difficulty holding stationery or tools due to sweat.
- Difficulty in social life or interpersonal relations due to sweat.
- Accompanied by skin trouble or odor (bromhidrosis).
- Family history of hyperhidrosis.
- Frequent sweating even during sleep at night.
Medical Review | Brain & Autonomic Nervous System Specialist, Dalimchae Korean Medicine Clinic Songdo Branch, Korean Medicine Doctor Oh Hyunmin (Hyperhidrosis Column)