Gustatory hyperhidrosis causes excessive sweating from the scalp, face, and neck when the salivary or olfactory glands are stimulated. It can be caused by diabetes, hormonal imbalance, medications, or nerve damage from surgery or trauma. Treatment options include changing medications, HRT, topical anticholinergic medications, aluminum chloride, oral anticholinergic drugs, botulinum toxin injections, or endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy.
Individuals suffering from gustatory hyperhidrosis experience profuse sweating from the scalp, face and neck. The symptoms of gustatory hyperhidrosis appear when the salivary or olfactory glands are stimulated. Embarrassing facial sweating can occur as a result of diabetes, hormonal imbalance, medications, or surgery that damages the nerves. The condition generally occurs when communication problems occur between the nerves that innervate the sweat glands. Treatment for hyperhidrosis depends on the cause.
When gustatory sweating begins, the affected individual may literally be dripping with sweat. Damage to the auriculotemporal nerve, which passes through the parotid gland in the neck, typically produces gustatory hyperhidrosis. The parasympathetic or sympathetic nerves then innervate sweat glands which usually respond to eating or drinking but which can also react to a stressful fight-or-flight situation.
The condition can be hereditary but usually has a physiological cause. Individuals with advanced diabetes and who have been diagnosed with neuropathy may have the disorder. The condition is also common among women who are experiencing the hormonal fluctuations associated with menopause. Under these circumstances, the hyperhidrosis response may or may not be related to food.
Patients who have suffered nerve damage following facial or thoracic surgery may also develop gustatory hyperhidrosis. Traumatic injuries can cause nerves to regenerate improperly. Nerve damage from surgery or trauma usually only causes symptoms on the side of the head where the damage occurred.
Acidic and spicy foods more frequently cause excessive sweating. Alcohol, chocolate, and caffeinated beverages are also on the list of contributing foods. Some patients experience gustatory hyperhidrosis simply from the aroma of certain foods. Unusually hot climates or high-temperature foods could also cause a response.
When medications, such as tricyclic antidepressants or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) contribute to the condition, a change in treatment can solve the problem. HRT can eliminate gustatory hyperhidrosis in menopausal women. Some patients might try topical anticholinergic medications or aluminum chloride to minimize reactions. Rare side effects associated with topical anticholinergic drugs include dry mucous membranes, sore throat, or mild headache. Aluminum chloride can cause skin irritation.
Oral anticholinergic drugs typically inhibit a sympathetic response and can curb symptoms but generally have more adverse effects. Healthcare professionals might also suggest botulinum toxin injections. Medical-grade botox inhibits chemical signals that travel from one nerve to another, thereby reducing the symptoms associated with gustatory hyperhidrosis. A last resort for treatment involves endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS), which involves cutting branches of the sympathetic nerve.
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