Anhidrosis, or hypohidrosis, is a medical condition where the body cannot sweat properly, which can be indicative of an underlying disease. It can be caused by nerve or skin damage, dehydration, genetics, or medication. Symptoms include lack of sweating, dizziness, muscle cramps, and flushing. Treatment involves identifying and treating the underlying cause. Complications include heat stroke, cramps, and heat exhaustion. Tests used to confirm a diagnosis include QSART, sweat fingerprint test, and thermoregulatory sweat test. Immediate treatment for excessive heating may include moving the individual to a cooler environment, giving cool drinks, and misting the skin with cool water.
Anhidrosis, also known as hypohidrosis, is a medical condition characterized by the body’s inability to sweat properly. A potentially life-threatening condition, a sweat deficiency is difficult to diagnose and can be indicative of the existence of an underlying disease. Several conditions can contribute to the development of hypohidrosis, including nerve or skin damage, dehydration, and genetics. Treatment involves determining and alleviating the underlying condition causing the anhidrosis.
Hypohidrosis is a condition that results from trauma to the sweat glands leading to impaired function. Common origins of trauma include damage to the autonomic nervous system, injury to the skin, and adverse effects from the use of certain medications. Anhidrosis can be caused by other factors that may not be directly traumatic, including dehydration and genetics.
Individuals who have suffered nerve damage from a secondary condition, such as alcoholism or diabetes, may develop anhidrosis as a symptom of a more serious condition. Those who have been diagnosed with a metabolic disorder such as Fabry disease or Horner syndrome may also experience symptoms associated with a sweat deficiency. Individuals who have suffered trauma to the skin, such as with a severe burn, may develop an inability to sweat in the affected area. Some prescription drugs can also inhibit normal sweating, including the use of some blood pressure, psychiatric, and antinausea medications.
Some people can easily become dehydrated resulting in depletion of body fluids. Dehydration can impair the body’s ability to cool itself, as well as its ability to function normally. Commonly associated with illness or excessive heat exposure, dehydration can also result from the use of certain medications or alcohol consumption.
If the development of hypohidrosis is genetic, the individual is usually born with sweat glands that don’t work properly. In some cases, an underlying hereditary condition can compromise sweating. Hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia is a condition that affects the development of an individual’s sweat glands and can lead to the individual having too few or none at all.
The most important symptom associated with this condition is obviously the lack of sweating. People affected on larger portions of their body may be at greater risk for complications, such as heatstroke. A sweat deficiency can occur in patches on the body, over most of the body, or in a particular area. An individual with anhidrosis may also be asymptomatic or have no symptoms, which can contribute to the development of complications.
Those with anhidrosis who become symptomatic may have additional signs which include dizziness, muscle cramps, and flushing or flushing of the face and neck. Severe symptoms that cause weakness, nausea, or a rapid heart rate require immediate medical attention. Individuals of advanced age or those with certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, may be at a higher risk of developing anhidrosis.
There are a few tests used to confirm a diagnosis of hypohidrosis. A quantitative sudomotor axonal reflex test (QSART) is a painless test that can be used to measure the amount of sweat produced in response to stimuli administered. To assess an individual’s sweat distribution, a sweat fingerprint test can be used. A thermoregulatory sweat test involves the use of a powdered substance placed on the skin before the individual is subjected to higher temperatures to cause sweating. As the individual perspires, the powder changes color allowing for an analysis of their sweating pattern.
Treatments associated with hypohidrosis are usually given in an attempt to treat the underlying cause of the deficiency or heat-related symptoms. Immediate treatment for excessive heating may include moving the individual to a cooler environment, giving cool drinks, and misting the skin with cool water. Individuals who become severely overheated should see a doctor right away to prevent symptoms from worsening. Complications associated with anhidrosis include heat stroke, cramps, and heat exhaustion.
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