What Is Drysol? How Does Treat Excessive Sweating?

1. What is hyperhidrosis?
2. What is Drysol?
3. How does Drysol work?
4. Potential side effects of Drysol
5. Alternative hyperhidrosis treatments

If you have any medical questions or concerns, please talk to your healthcare provider. The articles on Health Guide are underpinned by peer-reviewed research and information drawn from medical societies and governmental agencies. However, they are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

When your body senses a rise in temperature, it turns on your sweat glands—whether you want it to or not! Several things can lead to sweating, including warm temperatures, exercise, or feelings of anger, embarrassment, nervousness, or fear. Sweating is a necessary and natural response to an increase in body temperature to help you cool off. However, if you sweat excessively, you may have a medical condition known as hyperhidrosis.

People with hyperhidrosis often sweat more than usual, even without the typical triggers. If you think you may have hyperhidrosis, you are not alone—almost 5% of Americans (15.3 million people) have hyperhidrosis (Doolittle, 2016). This number is likely lower than the actual amount of people with hyperhidrosis because many never mention it to their healthcare provider. Most people don’t realize that their excessive sweating is a medical problem.

Hyperhidrosis is divided into two types: primary focal hyperhidrosis and secondary generalized hyperhidrosis.

If the excessive sweating itself is the medical condition, then you have primary hyperhidrosis. In other words, your hyperhidrosis is not caused by any medications you may be taking or by another medical condition. Primary focal hyperhidrosis most commonly affects the hands, feet, underarms, and/or face/head. These areas are usually affected equally on both sides of the body.

Most people with primary hyperhidrosis report that their symptoms began in childhood or during their teenage years. In addition, the sweating episodes usually happen at least once a week, but rarely during sleep. Genetics seems to play a role as most people with primary hyperhidrosis also have a family member with excessive sweating.

Secondary generalized hyperhidrosis, on the other hand, is sweating is caused by another medical condition (like hyperthyroidism or menopause) or medication side effects. People with secondary generalized hyperhidrosis may complain of sweating “all over” as this condition often affects larger areas of the body. Unlike primary focal hyperhidrosis, secondary generalized hyperhidrosis usually starts in adulthood, and sweating can happen while asleep (night sweats).

Drysol is a prescription topical antiperspirant often used to treat hyperhidrosis. The active ingredient in Drysol is the metallic salt, aluminum chloride hexahydrate. Over-the-counter antiperspirants can also contain metallic salts, but the main difference between Drysol and over-the-counter antiperspirants is the type and concentration of metallic salts. The maximum concentration of aluminum chloride hexahydrate allowed by the FDA in over-the-counter antiperspirants is 15%. On the other hand, Drysol can go as high as 20% (FDA, 2019). Other metallic salts, like aluminum chlorohydrate and aluminum zirconium salts, can also be used in over-the-counter antiperspirants in varying concentrations.

Drysol’s effectiveness comes from the aluminum chloride salt, aluminum chloride hexahydrate. When you sweat, your sweat glands pump sweat onto your skin’s surface. After applying Drysol to your skin, the metallic salts mix with your sweat and then get pulled into the sweat duct. Once there, a chemical reaction occurs, and the salt-sweat mixture blocks the sweat gland, reducing perspiration.

Hyperhidrosis

Last updated: Feb 27, 2020

7 min read

Like any medication, there can be side effects with Drysol. Since this is a topical medication, the side effects are usually limited to the sites of application and then resolve after stopping it. Side effects include (Woolery-Lloyd, 2009):

• Skin irritation
• Stinging at the site of application
• Itching at the site of application
• Burning or prickling sensation at the site of application
• Darkening of the skin (hyperpigmentation)

While prescription antiperspirants like Drysol are some of the first treatments recommended for hyperhidrosis, other options exist, including:

• Over-the-counter antiperspirants: These are often less effective than the prescription antiperspirants for people with excessive sweating but are certainly an option to try.
• Iontophoresis: Immersing your hands or feet in tap water while a medical device sends a low-voltage electric current through the water to shut down the sweat glands.
• Anticholinergic medications: These oral medications prevent acetylcholine (a brain chemical or neurotransmitter) from turning on your sweat glands.
• Botulinum toxin (brand name Botox): These are injections that temporarily block acetylcholine release to prevent the stimulation of sweat glands in affected areas.
• Surgery: Some people have surgery to remove the sweat glands or cut the sympathetic nerves that stimulate you to sweat in a particular area (sympathectomy).

If you have hyperhidrosis, Drysol may be a treatment option for you. Talk to your healthcare provider about your symptoms and what remedies you have already tried. Hyperhidrosis can be embarrassing for some, but it is treatable

1. Doolittle, J., Walker, P., Mills, T., & Thurston, J. (2016). Hyperhidrosis: an update on prevalence and severity in the United States. Archives of Dermatological Research, 308(10), 743–749. doi: 10.1007/s00403-016-1697-9 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5099353/
2. U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Code of Federal Regulations Title 21. (2019). Retrieved 9 June 2020, from https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?CFRPart=350&showFR=1 https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?CFRPart=350&showFR=1
3. Woolery-Lloyd, H. , & Valins, W. (2009). Aluminum chloride hexahydrate in a salicylic Acid gel: a novel topical agent for hyperhidrosis with decreased irritation. The Journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology, 2(6), 28–31. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20729946/

Dr. Mike is a licensed physician and the Director, Medical Content & Education at Ro.

Drysol Dab-O-Matic Topical: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing

Uses

How to use Drysol Solution, Non-

Use this medication on the skin only. The affected area should be dry before the medication is applied. If needed, dry the affected area with a hair dryer on the warm setting for a few minutes. Learn all preparation and usage instructions in the product package. If any of the information is unclear, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Do not get the medication in your eyes or apply it to broken, irritated, or recently shaved skin. If you do get the medication on those areas, flush with plenty of water.

Apply a thin layer of this medication to the affected area, usually once daily at bedtime for 2 to 3 days until the sweating is controlled, then once or twice a week thereafter or as directed by your doctor. After applying the medication, let it dry. If applying on the hands or feet, wrap the area with plastic wrap and cover with a mitten or sock. If applying on the underarms, wear a shirt. If applying on the scalp, wear a plastic shower cap. Leave this medication on for 6 to 8 hours. In the morning, wash the area with soap (or shampoo if treating the scalp) and water, and then towel dry. Do not use other antiperspirants or deodorants while using this medication.

Tell your doctor if your condition lasts or gets worse.

Side Effects

Tingling, mild itching, or irritation may occur when the medication is first applied. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that this medication has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US –

In the US – Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

In Canada – Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Precautions

Before using aluminum chloride, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history.

This medication may stain clothing or certain fabrics or harm metals. Use this medication cautiously to avoid contact with clothes, bed linens, other fabrics, or metals. Let this medication dry completely before putting clothing over the treated area.

During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

It is unknown if this medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Interactions

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor’s approval.

Some products that may interact with this drug include: deodorants, other antiperspirants, disulfiram, metronidazole, tinidazole.

Does Drysol Solution, Non- interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose

This medicine may be harmful if swallowed. If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.

Do not share this medication with others.

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Use your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Store at room temperature away from heat. Do not use near an open flame. Keep container tightly closed. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.

Images

Drysol Dab-O-Matic 20 % topical solution

Color: Shape: Imprint:

This medicine is a solution

Drysol Dab-O-Matic 20 % topical solution

Color: Shape: Imprint:

This medicine is a solution

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