What is hyperhidrosis?

This is a medical condition that causes excessive sweating. The word “hyperhidrosis” means “too much (hyper) sweating (hidrosis)”. This is a medical condition marked by the production of sweat in quantities exceeding the necessary amount for regulating body temperature. Although sweating is a natural physiological process essential for temperature control, individuals with hyperhidrosis experience excessive and overproduction of sweat.

What are the types of hyperhidrosis?

Primary Focal Hyperhidrosis:

This type usually begins in childhood or adolescence and is unrelated to any other medical condition. It tends to impact certain body parts like hands, feet, underarms, face, and groin. The cause of primary focal hyperhidrosis is not understood, but it is believed to be linked to sweat glands being too active.

Secondary Hyperhidrosis:

This type is triggered by an underlying health problem or the use of certain medications. It can affect the entire body and usually starts in adulthood. Health conditions such as gout, medications that may cause sweating, chronic alcoholism, spinal cord injury, diabetes, thyroid issues, menopause, certain infections, and neurological disorders can lead to secondary hyperhidrosis.

Some cancers are known to cause night sweats, so if you only sweat at night, see your doctor as soon as possible to rule out a serious disease.

Symptoms:

The symptoms of hyperhidrosis vary depending on the location of your body where you experience it. Generally, you may experience the following symptoms:

• Excess sweat on your palms, hands, underarms, face, and trunk (body)
• Beads of fluid dripping from your cheeks or forehead.

Over time, hyperhidrosis can lead to the following symptoms:

• Itching and inflammation when sweat irritates your skin
• Body odor happens when the bacteria on your skin mix with sweat.
• Cracked or peeling skin on your feet.

Symptoms of hyperhidrosis can vary in intensity. You might experience occasional mild symptoms, or you could have persistent symptoms that affect your daily activities.

Treatment:

If hyperhidrosis is present, the initial step in treatment is addressing the underlying cause. In the absence of a known cause, the primary focus is on managing excessive sweating. If self-care practices fail to alleviate symptoms, your healthcare professional may recommend one or multiple treatment options. It is important to note that even if treatment successfully reduces sweating, there is a possibility of recurrence.

Medications:

Drugs used to treat hyperhidrosis include:

• Prescription antiperspirants
• Dry tropical creams
• Nerve-blocking medications
• Antidepressants
• Botulinum toxin injections

Multiple injections are required for each affected area of your body. It might take a few days to observe the results. To maintain the effects, you'll probably need repeated treatments approximately every six months. A potential side effect includes temporary muscle weakness in the treated area.

Prevention:

It's not possible to prevent all instances of hyperhidrosis. For instance, focal hyperhidrosis, which may have a genetic origin, cannot be prevented. In cases of generalized hyperhidrosis, managing or addressing any underlying health conditions can be beneficial. Collaborating with your healthcare provider to handle the side effects of prescribed medications can also help reduce the chances of experiencing hyperhidrosis.