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Conditions We Treat: Excessive Sweating (Hyperhidrosis)
Hyperhidrosis means excessive (too much) sweating. It is caused by an overactive sympathetic nerve, and it is a medical condition. This condition can make people feel embarrassed and isolated. Treatment can help facilitate a life free of the worry of excessive sweating.
Hyperhidrosis: What You Need to Know

- Hyperhidrosis is medical condition, often inherited, which means someone else in your family may have had it. Hyperhidrosis affects 3% of the US population.
- Our doctors are very committed to finding the right treatment for hyperhidrosis patients to improve their condition as well as their quality of life.
- Hyperhidrosis usually occurs in the palms, underarms and feet. It can also occur on the scalp and on the trunk of the body.
- There are many treatments for hyperhidrosis, including medications, iontophoresis and a new promising treatment known as microwave thermolysis.
- Surgery is also a treatment for hyperhidrosis, and is known as a thoracic sympathotomy. Our doctors at Johns Hopkins have performed hundreds of these surgeries.
Patient Resources
Learn more about hyperhidrosis in our Health Library.
Read our FAQs about hyperhidrosis.
Why choose Johns Hopkins for treatment of hyperhidrosis?
Our multidisciplinary team of specialists provide the best treatment for excessive sweating, including surgery when appropriate. Neurologists are a part of the treatment team in cases where hyperhidrosis has a neurological cause. Behavioral medicine specialists can help you address emotional and social issues that stem from your condition.


Our Treatments
Johns Hopkins is the only hospital in Maryland using microwave thermolysis, a noninvasive procedure proven to effectively shrink and destroy underarm sweat glands. The Center for Sweat Disorders is also one of the few medical centers in the region providing this treatment.
Learn more about treatments at Johns Hopkins.