Scalp sweating – also known as cranial hyperhidrosis - can be more obvious than other types of hyperhidrosis. Members of MyHyperhidrosisTeam talk about the stress of living with visible and uncomfortable sweating that can affect relationships, self esteem, and quality of life.

One member said she lost a job opportunity because of “sweat dripping down my face” during an interview. Another stopped going out with family or to parties because of “sweat pouring from my head [that made] my eyes stinging red patches.”

“People look at me like, ‘Ewww,’” wrote one member. Another shared: “Facial sweating is destroying my confidence to go to work. I’m starting to become severely depressed and I’m in tears at home most of the time. Really need some support and ideas about this.”

Antiperspirants for Scalp Sweating

Members of MyHyperhidrosisTeam rally around each other with tips, ideas and information for combatting scalp sweating. Many share successes they’ve had with antiperspirants.

“My doc prescribed Drysol in liquid form. At night, I dab the solution into my scalp with a cotton ball, and I wash it off in the morning. Surprisingly, I think this has helped with my head and face sweats!” said one woman. Another agreed: “I used it all over my head - but don’t put it on your face. It goes white on your skin.”

Others dab on over-the-counter products, such as Odaban, SweatBlock, and Neat Feat, an antiperspirant for the face. “Apply a small amount of Neat Feat to face and neck after moisturizer, then makeup. I've been using it for the past eight months and it lasts all day,” suggested one member.

Botox Injections for Scalp Sweating

When topical antiperspirants don’t work - or are too irritating - many members try Botox (OnabotulinumtoxinA) to stop the sweat.

“Botox works better than anything I’ve tried,” said one woman. “I get injections every three months.” Another said: “It worked well [for me] on hands and the underarms but not on my face and scalp. Waiting for something better in the future.”

Medications for scalp sweating

Members of MyHyperhidrosisTeam report varying degrees of success with oral medications for excessive scalp and face sweating. Because they can cause uncomfortable side effects, many members use these drugs for temporary relief, or when they’re preparing for an important event.

“I take Oxybutynin which really helps,” said one member. “What a difference.” Agreed another woman: “I'm still in shock when I get home from work or a day in the sun with dry, fresh hair.” “I tried it and the dry mouth is bad, but it helps,” said another.

Propantheline gets the thumbs up from several members. “I've been taking it almost three years and don't know what I’d do without it. I don't get rivers of sweat running from my head and dripping down my face and neck anymore, unless I forget to take it.” Another said: “It does make your mouth dry for a couple of hours but it's a small price to pay for not dripping wet all the time.”

Other members report mixed results with Glycopyrrolate, another commonly prescribed medication. “I’ve had a sweaty head since I was 32. I’m now 68. What finally worked for me was Glycopyrrolate capsules,” wrote one. Another member had the opposite experience, “I was put on the medication more than a month ago with zero effectiveness in helping my extreme scalp and face sweating.”

Support from MyHyperhidrosisTeam

Because scalp sweating – and hyperhidrosis in general – is challenging, being part of a community such as MyHyperhidrosisTeam provides support for people living with excessive sweating.

"I’ve been so grateful to find this group,” said one member. “I appreciate the advice of others and, in turn, try to add to it with my nutty sense of humor. Sometimes just laughing at myself helps me get through the day easier.”

On MyHyperhidrosisTeam, the social network and online support group for those living with hyperhidrosis, members talk about a range of personal experiences including scalp sweating.

Here are some conversations for coping with scalp sweating:

• “I was put on Glycopyrrolate over a month ago.”

• “I hate it when I take a shower and feel like I need another one.” 

• “I knew it was time for more Botox injections when I was sweating into my eyes.”

Here are some questions and answers for coping with scalp sweating:

• How do you handle sweating from the head and face?
• ​​​​​​​Botox 

Have another topic you'd like to discuss or explore? Go to MyHyperhidrosisTeam today and start the conversation. You'll be surprised how many others share similar stories.