Dr. Kuchnir says he encourages dermatologists to bring the same level of care, understanding, and communication to patients suffering from hyperhidrosis that they do to patients whom they see for acne. Just as clinicians do not always use the strongest medicines but choose the safest ones, especially ones that can be self-administered and self-guided, teaching patients how to use antiperspirants when they will work “is as important as being able to effectively and safely inject neurotoxins,” Dr. Kuchnir advised.
While many patients have heard reports of an association between the use of aluminum chloride–containing antiperspirants and a risk of breast cancer or of aluminum in general being associated with Alzheimer’s disease, he says he tells his patients that “aluminum chloride is completely safe, and I don’t say that about a lot of prescription medicines.”
Dr. Kuchnir reported having no financial disclosures.