Hyperhidrosis

Overview

Hyperhidrosis, also known as excessive sweating, occurs when your body produces more sweat than necessary for temperature regulation. This condition can lead to profuse sweating that saturates your clothing or causes your hands to drip with sweat. Excessive perspiration can disrupt your daily life and contribute to social anxiety and embarrassment.

Sweat is a colorless fluid secreted by your eccrine sweat glands. Its primary role is to help regulate your body temperature and prevent overheating. Eccrine glands are distributed throughout your skin and sweat travels through ducts until it reaches the skin’s surface. Once it reaches the surface, sweat transitions from a liquid to a gas, evaporating to cool down your body.

Treatment for hyperhidrosis typically begins with the use of antiperspirants. If antiperspirants prove ineffective, various medications and therapies may be explored. In severe cases, surgical options may be considered, such as removing sweat glands or disconnecting nerves responsible for excessive sweat production. Occasionally, an underlying medical condition may be identified and treated as the underlying cause of hyperhidrosis.

Hyperhidrosis comes in two main types:

• Primary focal hyperhidrosis: This is the most common form and is usually inherited through genetics. It primarily affects areas like the armpits, hands, feet, and face, typically beginning before the age of 25.
• Secondary generalized hyperhidrosis: This type is triggered by underlying medical conditions or medications. Examples include diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, or certain medications like naproxen, and it can lead to excessive sweating, even during sleep.

Symptoms

The symptoms of hyperhidrosis vary in severity. One can Hyperhidrosis primarily manifests through excessive sweating, which can lead to various discomforts and issues:

• Wetness on skin: You’ll notice your skin feeling consistently wet due to the excess sweat production.
• Damp clothing: Your clothes may become damp and uncomfortable as a result of the excessive perspiration.
• Beads of fluid: Beads of sweat may drip from areas like your cheeks, forehead, or other parts of your body.

As hyperhidrosis persists, it can cause additional problems:

• Skin irritation: The constant moisture can lead to itching and inflammation as sweat irritates your skin.
• Body odor: The combination of sweat and bacteria on your skin can result in body odor.
• Foot issues: Your feet may develop cracked or peeling skin due to excessive sweating, known as plantar hyperhidrosis.

Hyperhidrosis symptoms can vary in severity, ranging from occasional mild discomfort to constant and disruptive symptoms that affect your daily life.

Moreover, hyperhidrosis can have a significant emotional impact. Many individuals with this condition feel embarrassed about their excessive sweating and may avoid social situations. If hyperhidrosis takes a toll on your mental well-being, it’s essential to seek support from healthcare professionals to manage both the physical and emotional aspects of the condition.

Causes

Hyperhidrosis, characterized by excessive sweating, is primarily caused by overactive sweat glands, specifically the eccrine glands. These glands normally produce sweat to cool the body when it’s hot or during physical activity or anxiety. However, in individuals with hyperhidrosis, these glands can activate more frequently, leading to unpredictable sweating episodes unrelated to temperature or emotions. Ongoing research aims to uncover the precise reasons behind this excessive sweat production.

The body naturally sweats to regulate its temperature, triggered by the nervous system when body temperature rises. Nervousness can also induce sweating, particularly on the palms.

Primary hyperhidrosis results from faulty nerve signals that make the eccrine glands excessively active. It commonly affects areas like the palms, soles, underarms, and occasionally the face. It tends to run in families and lacks a clear medical cause.

On the other hand, secondary hyperhidrosis arises due to underlying medical conditions or the use of certain medications, such as pain relievers, antidepressants, diabetes drugs, and hormonal medications. This form of hyperhidrosis can lead to widespread sweating throughout the body and is associated with conditions such as diabetes, menopausal hot flashes, thyroid disorders, some cancers, nervous system disorders, and infections.