However, excessive sweating on the head and face is usually down to a condition called hyperhidrosis. Hyperhidrosis is a disorder that causes sufferers to sweat profusely no matter the circumstances – their sweating isn’t directly attributed to common triggers like heat and or exercise.
When this condition affects the head and neck area, it’s known as craniofacial hyperhidrosis and is tied to overactive sweat glands.
Because hyperhidrosis is an uncommon condition, doctors will likely want to run checks for:
- · Diabetes or diabetes symptoms
- · Thyroid irregularities
- · Certain types of cancers
- · Low blood sugar levels
- · Heart problems
- · Nervous system issues
- · Bacteria or viral infections
Home Remedies for Facial Sweating
It’s no secret hyperhidrosis can interfere with your daily activities. Many of those with the medical condition experience embarrassment and social anxiety.
However, take comfort knowing there are effective remedies you can try in your own home to provide effective relief for excessive facial sweating.
Apple cider vinegar
The versatility of apple cider vinegar makes it a go-to home remedy for cranial-facial hyperhidrosis or general excessive sweating.
Not only does apple cider vinegar help close the pores in the skin – reducing the amount of sweat secretion – but it stops odour-causing bacteria from adding an extra unwanted problem.
Because it’s such a powerful natural astringent, dabbing small amounts of apple cider vinegar topically to the affected areas with a cotton ball can help slow the problem – just remember to wash it off in the morning.
Salt and citrus scrub
It’s well-known that salt absorbs sweat – so why not incorporate it into your skincare routine to alleviate the symptoms of facial sweating?
A salt scrub can be used as soon as sweating begins to help get it under control. For the most effective results, mix salt with lemon juice, apply it in the evening and wash it off before bed. Not
only does this close the pores, but it neutralises harmful bacteria and cleanses the skin to stop symptoms from worsening.
Taking Schisandra
Schisandra has been proven effective in alleviating the symptoms of excessive sweating. Studies show the herbal remedy, made from dried fruits, has the ability to treat hot flushes, night sweats, sporadic sweating episodes and even heart palpitations.
Taking 100mg of Schisandra extract twice a day can help reduce the intensity and frequency of facial sweating episodes – letting you go about your day to day with minimal worries.
Applying witch hazel
Witch hazel is a widely used, multi-pronged treatment that’s great for the skin in more ways than one. It can also be found in most shops and pharmacies – making it accessible for those struggling to ease symptoms of facial sweating.
Witch hazel works as a natural astringent – helping to close pores – while also dealing with odour-causing bacteria. The best part is that, while it’s tough on symptoms, it’s gentle enough for sensitive skin. This means those struggling with craniofacial varieties of excessive sweating can use it on the face, head and neck without irritation.
Apply with a cotton pad during the day and wash off after 30 minutes to stave off symptoms and feel more confident in no time.
Epsom salt soak
Sometimes, it isn’t about diet supplements or homemade topical remedies – relaxation can go a long way towards relieving hyperhidrosis symptoms.
Stress can cause our body temperature to rise and sweat glands to go into overdrive, meaning an increased likelihood of heavy sweating.
Epsom bath salts act as a natural hyperhidrosis treatment. A 20-minute soak in the bath not only closes pores and neutralises body odours but helps to reduce stress and naturally limits the regularity of sweating episodes.
Other Ways to Stop Facial Sweating
As well as home remedies and topical treatments, there are other treatments you can try before turning to more permanent measures.
Changing your diet and increasing water intake keeps your body cooler. Also, vitamins and minerals help suppress sweating, so a balanced diet should be the first step in getting symptoms under control.
Make sure you’re getting the nutrition you need by eating plenty of:
- · Antioxidant and water-rich fruits – Excessive sweating could be your body's way of telling you it needs more antioxidants. Fruits like strawberries, grapes and watermelons are not only full of them but are packed with water, making them an effective snack to keep the body hydrated and minimise sweating episodes.
- · Calcium-dense foods – Calcium helps regulates body temperature and suppresses the body's need to produce sweat. Make sure you get a healthy amount of milk, cheese and yoghurt but consider low-fat alternatives. Fat is notoriously difficult to digest, meaning your body has to work harder and naturally heats up as a result – so make sure your calcium sources are as lower in fat.
- · Wholegrains and oats – Whole grains are packed with fibre and easy to digest - the perfect combination for reducing sweating. Fibre helps the gut break stubborn foods down easier while reducing sweating episodes in the long term.
- · Dark, leafy green vegetables – A common side effect of excessive sweating is a magnesium deficiency due to the minerals you lose in sweat. Leafy greens like spinach help replenish these minerals while aiding digestion and easing any additional gut-induced sweating.
Aside from your diet, smoking can also exacerbate symptoms of excessive facial sweating – so cutting down is critical. A natural bi-product of nicotine in the bloodstream is a chemical called acetylcholine, which is known to cause sweating episodes.
If symptoms persist, doctors may recommend more aggressive treatments. They may suggest using topical solutions like over the counter or prescription-strength antiperspirants.
Because prescription-grade antiperspirants are typically irritating to the skin of the head, face and neck areas, you should always follow your doctor’s instructions to avoid problems later on. If you’re particularly sensitive to products in this area, try a sample of the product on a small region to test how the skin reacts to the antiperspirant.
If antiperspirants don’t solve the problem, doctors may refer you for Botox injections. You should never attempt to do this yourself and only look at getting it done by a licensed practitioner. They’ll know how to do the job best to avoid side effects and the risk of a botched job.
For those that are uncomfortable with the idea of Botox, there are effective medical treatments readily available. Systemic medications called anticholinergics are used to treat facial sweating or hyperhidrosis. These can have uncomfortable side effects like blurry vision, a dry mouth and constipation – so speak to your doctor to find out if they're right for you.
If you’re looking to kickstart your skincare routine or looking for help to ease symptoms of facial sweating, get in contact with StressNoMore today or click here to browse our range of skincare products.