What You Should Know About Drysol
Perhaps the most common prescription medication for excessive underarm sweat is Drysol, which is the brand name for aluminum chloride hexahydrate.
Like most prescription medication with over-the-counter alternatives, Drysol is more commonly prescribed only after commercial antiperspirants have failed to be adequate.
Compared to non-prescription antiperspirants, the main difference with drysol is in the concentration of aluminum chloride in the product.
Whereas the maximum concentration in over-the-counter brands is usually between 15-19%, in prescribed medication like Drysol, the concentration can go up to 25%.
When deciding whether to use store brand vs.
prescription topical treatments for excessive sweating, you might want to weigh any disadvantages that come with using prescription strength medication.
Rather than simply applying store brand antiperspirants to the area in question, the application process for Drysol can be more laborious.
Drysol has to be applied to dry skin at bedtime and washed off in the morning.
In the case of the hands and feet, you have to apply a plastic wrap to the skin then cover it with a mitten or sock until it is ready to be washed off 6-8 hours later.
If you are applying to the scalp, you need to sleep with a shower cap.
Drysol also can't be applied to irritated or broken skin.
You should inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, or if you are either pregnant of planning to have a baby.
While Drysol is effective in 80% of the people who use it for excessive sweating, it is important to know some of the disadvantages as well as the advantages in using this popular prescription medication.
Like most prescription medication with over-the-counter alternatives, Drysol is more commonly prescribed only after commercial antiperspirants have failed to be adequate.
Compared to non-prescription antiperspirants, the main difference with drysol is in the concentration of aluminum chloride in the product.
Whereas the maximum concentration in over-the-counter brands is usually between 15-19%, in prescribed medication like Drysol, the concentration can go up to 25%.
When deciding whether to use store brand vs.
prescription topical treatments for excessive sweating, you might want to weigh any disadvantages that come with using prescription strength medication.
Rather than simply applying store brand antiperspirants to the area in question, the application process for Drysol can be more laborious.
Drysol has to be applied to dry skin at bedtime and washed off in the morning.
In the case of the hands and feet, you have to apply a plastic wrap to the skin then cover it with a mitten or sock until it is ready to be washed off 6-8 hours later.
If you are applying to the scalp, you need to sleep with a shower cap.
Drysol also can't be applied to irritated or broken skin.
You should inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, or if you are either pregnant of planning to have a baby.
While Drysol is effective in 80% of the people who use it for excessive sweating, it is important to know some of the disadvantages as well as the advantages in using this popular prescription medication.