Hyperhidrosis

Excessive sweating, sometimes called hyperhidrosis, is a condition where you sweat more than usual, even when you're not hot or exercising. This can lead to sweat soaking through your clothes or dripping from your body. This heavy sweating can make everyday life difficult, causing feelings of worry and self-consciousness.

Fortunately, treatment for hyperhidrosis is often successful. A good starting point is using stronger antiperspirants. If these aren't enough, doctors may suggest different medicines or therapies. For very severe cases, surgery might be considered. Surgery could involve removing sweat glands or cutting nerves that control excessive sweating.

In some cases, hyperhidrosis is a symptom of an underlying medical problem. Doctors can investigate and treat this underlying issue if one exists.

Excessive sweating, called hyperhidrosis, is more than just sweating when it's hot, you're working out, or feeling nervous. It's sweating that happens often, typically at least once a week while you're awake, and usually on both sides of the body. This often affects the hands, feet, underarms, or face.

This excessive sweating isn't normal and can be a problem. Sometimes, heavy sweating can be a sign of a more serious health issue. If you're experiencing heavy sweating with any of the following, see a doctor right away:

• Severe symptoms: Dizziness, chest pain, pain in your throat, jaw, arms, shoulders, or a fast pulse, or cold skin. These could indicate a serious underlying medical condition.

• Disruption to your daily life: If sweating is interfering with your normal activities or causing you significant emotional distress, or making you want to avoid social situations, it's important to talk to a doctor.

• Sudden changes: If you suddenly start sweating much more than usual, it's a good idea to see your doctor to find out the reason.

• Night sweats: If you're having night sweats without an obvious cause, it's best to discuss this with your healthcare provider.

Excessive sweating can sometimes be a sign of a health problem.

Get immediate medical help if you're sweating heavily and also feeling dizzy, or have pain in your chest, throat, jaw, arms, shoulders, or neck. This is especially important if your skin feels cold and your heart is racing. These could be signs of a serious medical condition.

Talk to your doctor if:

• Your sweating is interfering with your daily life. For example, if you're constantly worried about sweating, or if it's making it hard to do your usual activities.
• Sweating is causing you emotional problems or making it hard to socialize. If you're feeling self-conscious or isolated because of your sweating, it's important to talk to a doctor.
• You've started sweating a lot more than usual, suddenly. A sudden change in sweating habits could signal a problem.
• You're experiencing night sweats without a clear reason. Night sweats, especially if they're new, can be a sign of something more than just being hot.

Remember, if you're concerned about your sweating, talking to a doctor is always a good idea. They can help figure out the cause and recommend the best course of action.

Your body has two types of sweat glands: eccrine and apocrine. Eccrine glands are spread all over your skin and release sweat directly onto the surface. Apocrine glands are found in areas with lots of hair, like your armpits, scalp, and groin. They release sweat into the hair follicles, which then leads to the skin's surface. Both types of glands can be involved in excessive sweating, a condition called hyperhidrosis.

Sweating is your body's natural way of cooling down. When your body gets too hot, your nervous system signals your sweat glands to release sweat. You might also sweat more, especially on your palms, when you're feeling anxious or stressed.

Sometimes, excessive sweating, called primary hyperhidrosis, happens because the signals from your nerves to the eccrine sweat glands are faulty. This often affects the palms of your hands, soles of your feet, underarms, and sometimes your face. There isn't a medical reason for this type of excessive sweating; it can sometimes run in families.

However, there are other causes of excessive sweating that are related to medical conditions. For example, excessive sweating can be a symptom of other health issues, including:

• Diabetes: High blood sugar can cause a range of symptoms, including increased sweating.
• Menopause hot flashes: Fluctuating hormones during menopause can trigger sudden, intense feelings of heat, often accompanied by sweating.
• Thyroid problems: An overactive or underactive thyroid gland can disrupt the body's temperature regulation, leading to excessive sweating.
• Certain types of cancer: Some cancers can cause various symptoms, including excessive sweating.
• Nervous system disorders: Conditions affecting the nervous system can impact the body's ability to regulate temperature and sweating.
• Infections: Some infections can also cause excessive sweating as a side effect.

If you're experiencing excessive sweating that's causing you problems, it's important to talk to a doctor. They can help determine the cause and recommend appropriate treatment options.

Sweating too much, a condition called hyperhidrosis, can have several causes. One important factor is family history. If a close relative, like a parent, sibling, or grandparent, sweats a lot, you might be more likely to experience excessive sweating yourself.

Another cause is certain medications or supplements. Some drugs and supplements can increase your body's sweating response. If you're taking any new medicines or supplements, it's a good idea to pay attention to any changes in your sweating patterns.

Finally, some medical conditions can also lead to hyperhidrosis. Conditions like thyroid problems, infections, or even menopause can sometimes affect the body's natural sweating mechanisms. If you're experiencing significant changes in your sweating, it's important to talk to your doctor to rule out any underlying health issues.

Excessive sweating, or hyperhidrosis, can lead to several problems.

One concern is skin infections. People who sweat heavily are more likely to get skin infections because sweat provides a moist environment where bacteria and fungi can grow easily. This can lead to problems like athlete's foot, jock itch, or other skin irritations.

Another issue is the social and emotional impact. Excessive sweating can make a person feel self-conscious. Wet hands or dripping sweat can be embarrassing, especially in social situations. Constantly having to worry about sweat-soaked clothes can also affect a person's confidence. This can, in turn, make it harder to pursue goals at work or in school. For example, someone with sweaty hands might avoid shaking hands or presenting in front of a group. This can lead to feelings of isolation and anxiety.

Finding out if you have hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) often starts with a visit to your doctor. They'll ask about your health history and the types of sweating you're experiencing. Your doctor might also do a physical exam to check for any other signs.

Sometimes, further tests are needed to figure out the reason for your sweating. These tests can help determine if there's another medical problem causing it, such as an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism) or low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). To check for these possibilities, your doctor might order blood, urine, or other lab tests.

To pinpoint the areas where you sweat heavily and understand how severe the problem is, your doctor might use special tests. For example, an iodine-starch test or a sweat test can help. An iodine-starch test uses a special powder that shows where you sweat more than usual. A sweat test directly measures the amount of sweat produced. Imagine a picture showing a hand with heavy sweating (before treatment) compared to a hand after surgery to reduce sweating. This helps doctors understand the extent of the problem.

Treating Excessive Sweating (Hyperhidrosis)

Excessive sweating, or hyperhidrosis, can be frustrating. Sometimes, the cause of the excessive sweating can be identified and treated. If not, the focus shifts to managing the sweating itself. If simple self-care changes aren't enough, a doctor might suggest other treatments. It's important to know that even if treatment works initially, sweating might return.

Different Treatments for Hyperhidrosis

Several treatments can help control excessive sweating. These include:

Prescription Antiperspirants:

Doctors might prescribe an antiperspirant containing aluminum chloride (like Drysol or Xerac AC). Apply this to dry skin before bed and wash it off in the morning. Be careful not to get it in your eyes. You might start using it daily and then reduce to once or twice a week to maintain the effect. This medication can cause skin or eye irritation. Talk to your doctor about ways to minimize these side effects.

Prescription Creams and Wipes:

Some prescription creams containing glycopyrrolate can help with sweating on the face, head, or scalp. Wipes containing glycopyrronium tosylate (Qbrexza) might help with sweating on the hands, feet, or underarms. Possible side effects include mild skin irritation and a dry mouth.

Nerve-Blocking Medications:

Some pills (oral medications) can block the nerves that signal sweat glands, reducing sweating for some people. Possible side effects include dry mouth, blurred vision, and bladder problems.

Botulinum Toxin (Botox) Injections:

Botox injections work by blocking the nerves that signal sweat glands. Most people don't experience much pain during the procedure, but numbing the skin beforehand is often recommended. Your doctor can use topical anesthesia, ice, or massage (vibration anesthesia) to numb the skin. Multiple injections are needed for each affected area. Results may take a few days to appear, and repeat treatments are usually needed every six months to maintain the effect. A possible side effect is temporary muscle weakness in the treated area.

Other Treatments:

• Iontophoresis: This at-home treatment involves soaking affected areas (like hands or feet) in a pan of water while a device passes a mild electric current through the water. This blocks the nerves that trigger sweating. You can purchase this device with a doctor's prescription. Soak the area for 20-40 minutes, 2-3 times a week until symptoms improve. Maintenance treatments can be reduced to once a week or monthly. Ask your doctor about any side effects.

• Microwave Therapy (miraDry): This treatment uses a handheld device to deliver microwave energy to destroy sweat glands in the armpits. It involves two sessions, 20-30 minutes each, spaced three months apart. Possible side effects include changes in skin sensation and some discomfort. The long-term effects are not yet fully understood.

• Sweat Gland Removal: If sweating is concentrated in the armpits, removing sweat glands might be an option. This can be done through scraping (curettage), suctioning (liposuction), or a combination of both (suction curettage).

• Nerve Surgery (Sympathectomy): A surgeon removes a small part of the spinal nerves that control sweating, often in the hands. A possible side effect is excessive sweating in other areas (compensatory sweating). This surgery isn't usually an option for head or neck sweating. A variation, called sympathotomy, targets the palms and interrupts nerve signals without removing the sympathetic nerve, reducing the risk of compensatory sweating. This surgery is typically reserved for cases where other treatments haven't worked.

Anesthesia options for these procedures include general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation.

Excessive sweating, or hyperhidrosis, can be really uncomfortable and embarrassing. It can make it hard to do everyday things like work or play sports because of sweaty hands, feet, or clothes. This can lead to feelings of anxiety, shyness, and even isolation. You might also feel frustrated by how other people react to your sweating.

If you're experiencing these problems, talking to your doctor, therapist, or a social worker is a good first step. Support groups for people with hyperhidrosis can also be helpful, providing a place to share experiences and find ways to cope.