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.
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.
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:
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: