Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition that causes excessive sweating, which can be treated with antiperspirants, medication, Botox injections, or surgery. It can be primary or secondary, and while it’s not dangerous, it can cause discomfort and embarrassment.
Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition characterized by excessive sweating, with the body producing far more sweat than would be needed to regulate body temperature. The severity of this condition varies, as does the focal point of the sweating, and there are a number of treatments for hyperhidrosis, ranging from extremely strong antiperspirants to surgical options.
In what is known as primary hydrosis, the condition appears on its own, with no other symptoms, usually around the age of puberty. This form of hyperhidrosis typically affects the palms, feet, and armpits, although excessive sweating may occur on other areas of the body. Patients may find this more frustrating than anything else, as they may be forced to change clothes frequently and deal with the odor associated with the bacterial breakdown of sweat.
In secondary hydrosis, excessive sweating appears as a symptom of another medical condition or as a byproduct of treatment. In this case, treating the underlying condition or completing a course of treatment will usually make the problem go away. Secondary hydrosis is much more likely to appear all over the body, rather than concentrated in specific areas.
Hyperhidrosis is usually diagnosed when a patient complains of excessive sweating by their doctor. Your doctor may ask you to run some tests to eliminate the underlying conditions before treating hyperhidrosis, depending on your medical history and general health. In general, the first step is a prescription for a strong antiperspirant or topical bath that can be used to reduce the amount of sweat your body produces.
If this doesn’t work, various oral medications can be used; some medications are used off-label to treat hyperhidrosis, while others are designed specifically to treat this condition. Botox injections also appear to be effective in treating hyperhidrosis. If these measures aren’t enough, surgery may be done to remove some sweat glands in the area or to sever some nerves that could be causing the glands to sweat excessively. Meditation and hypnosis can also be used as complementary treatments.
As a general rule, hyperhidrosis is not dangerous. In some cases, it can lead to skin conditions and discomfort, and this combined with the embarrassment of excessive sweating leads people to seek treatment. However, some patients prefer to cope with the effects by changing clothes frequently, washing the affected areas regularly and thoroughly, and applying talcum powder to treat the sweating outbursts.
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