What Is Hyperhidrosis

Hyperhidrosis is a condition in which when a person sweats excessively even if the temperature isn’t high or when they are not active. The sweating can be so excessive that sweat soaks through their clothes and drips off their body. It typically affect the palms, underarm area, soles of the feet and sometimes the face. Obviously, this can cause extreme social anxiety and embarrassment.

What are the symptoms?

People normally sweat when they are in a very hot environment or are feeling emotions such as anxiety, stress, or nervousness; it also usually happens when they are working out or physically exerting themselves. People with hyperhidrosis sweat far more in normal conditions. Episodes usually happen a minimum of once a week without an obvious cause.

A person should see a doctor if they begin sweating more than usual, especially if they have night sweats, and if the sweating interferes with their daily routine.

What causes this?

The purpose of our sweat glands is to give our body a way to cool itself. You’re your body temperature increases, your sweat glands are triggered. When you feel extreme emotions such as stress or nervousness, your palms will also sweat.

If a person has hyperhidrosis, the nerves that alert the sweat glands become overactive, thus causing unnecessary perspiration. If the person is nervous or under stress, the perspiration becomes even more pronounced.

There is a type of hyperhidrosis that seems to be more concentrated on the palms and soles; this may be caused by genetics as it seems to be concentrated in families. Sweating that occurs all over the body may be caused by certain medications, low blood sugar, an overactive thyroid gland, or certain types of cancer.

Are there any complications?

Excessive sweating can lead to skin infections and other skin conditions such as eczema or skin rashes; there are also emotional effects since this can be embarrassing and affect social and professional life.

What are treatments for this condition?

There are a variety of treatments for excessive sweating hyperhidrosis which range from medications to surgery. Some of the medications which may be prescribed are prescription antiperspirants, which are much stronger than the over-the-counter version. Pills that block chemicals which allow nerves to communicate with each other are also a possible treatment since this can reduce sweating; however, dry mouth, blurred vision, and bladder problems are possible side effects. Botulinum toxin injections are another non-surgical possibility. Commonly known to be used as a cosmetic remedy to help prevent wrinkles, it can also block the nerves that activate sweat glands.

If the condition is more severe, a doctor may recommend iontophoresis, which involves delivering a low level of electrical current to the hands, feet or possible armpits while these parts are covered in water. If the arm pits are the only area affected, removal of the sweat gland is a possible procedure. Although this is surgical procedure, it is accomplished through liposuction and involve very small incisions.

In the most severe cases, nerve surgery may be needed. This involves cutting, burning, or clamping spinal nerves that control sweating in the hands. However, it sometimes causes excessive sweating in other areas of the body.