Antiperspiranta
In addition to the chemical substances already presented, which develop their sweat-reducing effect inside the body, there are also those substances which, when applied externally, are able to drastically inhibit the excess secretion of sweat. These include primarily metal compounds, especially the combination of aluminum and chlorine, which belong to the main group of antiperspirants. Aluminum chloride and also sulfate, as well as zinc and magnesium, have been successfully used as metal agents in sweat control and hyperhidrosis therapy for years. These compounds possess an astringent effect, they impede and impede secretion, and can also be administered in a very treatment-friendly manner in a wide variety of application modifications. Metal compounds as therapeutic agents, in contrast to medicinal anticholinergics, do not interfere with the physiological circulation of the sweat glands. They are therefore used exclusively for external application.
Metal salts in the fight against sweat
The transfer of the metal compound causes a functional closure of the skin, which causes a throttling of sweat secretion. Metal ions of the solution react with the cells of the sweat glands and finally form a precipitate as a product, which blocks the execution channel of the glands. The metal substances as astringents trigger protein precipitation as a reaction sequence, which seals the gland excretory ducts in the upper skin area. These substances therefore have only a skin-surface effect and no deeper effect.
Of course, the protein decomposition is not intended to completely close the glands, which cannot be the goal of the application, since sweating is an absolutely vital and existential process in its biological function. A complete occlusion of the glands would lead to a life-threatening overheating of the organism.
After repeated application of the metal compounds, many sweat sufferers have experienced a significant improvement in the affected skin regions and a reduction in the previously high flow of sweat.
However, a major disadvantage of the application of metal compounds remains the need for continuous application refreshment to maintain the success of treatment, because blockage and partial occlusion of the sweat gland ducts once achieved is quickly eroded by the skin's regeneration process, so that the sweat gland excretory organs are exposed again, with the consequence that the original secretion rate is restored.
The administration of aluminum chloride (AlCl3) is indicated and extremely effective with regard to hyperhidrosis of the axillae (axillary hyperhidrosis), hands and feet (palmoplantar hyperhidrosis), with the greatest therapeutic results in the presence of axillary hyperhidrosis. In dermatological test series, the external application of metal substances achieved significant improvements in sweat secretion in these skin areas in approximately 90% of test patients suffering from hyperhidrosis axillaris.