Hyperhidrosis

What is Hyperhidrosis?

Hyperhidrosis, also known as excessive sweating, is when sweating isn’t related to heat or exercise.  This can happen in cooler weather and isn’t related to other situations like menopause or hyperthyroidism.  Hyperhidrosis is most common in the feet, hands, face, and armpits starting in adolescence.

What is the signs of hyperhidrosis:

  • Clammy palms and soles of feet
  • Frequent sweating
  • Sweating through clothes  

What causes Hyperhidrosis:

Sweating helps your body cool down from overheating.  When your temperature rises it triggers your sweat glands.  Hyperhidrosis is a situation where you sweat even when your body does not need cooling.  

Primary focal hyperhidrosis is the most common form of hyperhidrosis and occurs when your nerves become overactive telling your body to activate its sweat glands.  Stress can make the problem even worse.  Primary focal hyperhidrosis can be hereditary.

Primary Hyperhidrosis:

There are multiple potential treatments for primary hyperhidrosis.  To help immediately wear loose clothing, avoid triggers like alcohol or spicy foods, and wearing white/black clothes to hide signs of sweating.   List of typical primary hyperhidrosis treatments include:

  • Over the counter and prescription antiperspirants
  • Topical and Oral Anticholinergic medications which target nerve signals
  • Botox(R) blocks nerve stimulation of the sweat glands
  • Electrical stimulation of the sweat glands
  • Surgery to stop nerve conduction to the sweat glands can be performed if standard treatments are not effective

Secondary Hyperhidrosis:

Secondary hyperhidrosis occurs due to a medical condition and is more likely to cause sweating all over your body instead of being isolated to a specific area.  Medical conditions that lead to secondary hyperhidrosis include: 

  • Anxiety
  • Alcoholism
  • Diabetes
  • Menopause Hot Flashes
  • Heart Conditions
  • Low Blood Sugar