When is microwave sweat gland treatment recommended for underarm sweating?

Underarm sweating can be a symptom of primary hyperhidrosis, but sweating that starts suddenly or affects the whole body can have another cause. A clinician reviews when it began, whether it occurs during sleep, medicines, medical conditions, and the effect on clothing, work, social activities, and skin comfort. Microwave energy is delivered to the underarm area to heat tissue containing sweat glands. It is considered only when the skin is suitable and the treatment goal is reduction of excessive underarm sweating, not treatment of an unexplained change in sweating.

Keep a brief record of triggers, timing, night sweating, medicines, and treatments already tried. Tell the clinician about implanted devices, reduced sensation, skin disease, infection, previous procedures, and any unexplained lump or pain in the underarm. Follow instructions about hair removal and deodorant, and keep the area clean while it heals. See [Microwave Sweat Gland Treatment](/treatments/laser-and-energy/microwave-sweat-gland-treatment/) for related information.

Seek medical assessment for sudden new sweating, drenching night sweats, fever, unexplained weight change, chest symptoms, faintness, or sweating with a new medicine. After treatment, contact the provider for worsening pain, spreading redness, marked swelling, blistering, numbness, weakness, or signs of infection. An underarm lump should be examined rather than treated cosmetically.

Ask whether the pattern fits primary underarm hyperhidrosis, what causes should be excluded, which treatments you have already tried, and what side effects or recovery changes to expect. Ask how the procedure interacts with your skin condition, medicines, and any implanted device.