Hyperhidrosis occurs when your nervous system fails to send the proper signals to sweat glands, leading them to become overactive and produce excessive perspiration, says our top skin specialist.
Excessive sweating can be embarrassing and reduce one’s quality of life. It may even disrupt work or school activities.
Table of Contents
Causes
Sweating helps your body stay cool in hot climates or while exercising. But when sweating becomes excessively frequent, it could be indicative of hyperhidrosis treatment an overproduction of perspiration.
People with this condition tend to sweat more in certain areas, such as armpits, feet, palms of hands or face. While the exact cause is unknown, genetics or a medical issue could be at play here; either way, sweating may become excessive for people affected by this condition.
Primary hyperhidrosis (also referred to as idiopathic) occurs when there is no other underlying cause for excessive sweating. Typically, this begins in childhood or adolescence but may manifest at any age.
Secondary hyperhidrosis (also referred to as generalized) occurs when excessive sweating is caused by a medical condition such as diabetes mellitus, nervous system disorders, low blood sugar or certain medications.
Your healthcare provider can diagnose hyperhidrosis by asking about your symptoms, medical history and physical exam. They may also order tests that pinpoint the source of your sweating – such as an iodine-starch test and sweat test.
Symptoms
Sweating is the body’s way of cooling itself off, but excessive sweating may indicate hyperhidrosis. This condition causes you to appear and feel dripping with perspiration, which could impact your social life and lead to embarrassment or withdrawal from others.
Hyperhidrosis can be divided into two categories: primary focal and generalized hyperhidrosis. Primary focal hyperhidrosis affects 1% to 3% of the population and usually begins during childhood or adolescence.
Sweating can be caused when the nerves that control your sweat glands become overactive. It may also occur as a reaction to emotional feelings or hormones.
Our best skin specialist in Andheri West will perform a physical exam and test to determine if you have hyperhidrosis. A starch iodine test sprinkles some starch onto the area where you sweat, looking for dark blue or purple hues. A paper test uses special paper that absorbs sweat before being weighed so the doctor can see how much liquid was absorbed.
Treatment
Hyperhidrosis treatment in Mumbai can help keep the condition under control and enhance your quality of life. You may require medication, injections or surgery to reduce sweating.
Medications: Anticholinergic reduce sweating by blocking the signal to your sweat glands to go to work. They may have some side effects like dry mouth or blurred vision, but they are usually effective for hyperhidrosis.
Injections: Botulin toxin A, a substance that inhibits sweat gland signaling, is commonly used for focal hyperhidrosis in the armpit or palm area. This medication must be injected intradermal into the skin every several months for best results.
Other medications: Neuropeptide antiperspirants are a class of drugs that suppress sweating by blocking the nerves signaling your sweat glands to work. Unfortunately, they may lead to side effects like dry mouth or heart palpitations.
If your sweating is not controlled by non-invasive excessive sweating treatment, surgery may be the solution. But this procedure carries risks such as infection and bleeding into the chest.
Prevention
Sweating is an automatic mechanism that helps regulate body temperature. When sweat glands under your skin release water-based fluid, it lowers your core body temperature.
Excessive sweating, commonly referred to as hyperhidrosis, affects approximately 3% of the population. It may be caused by an underlying medical condition or side effect from medication and could potentially be indicative of heart disease.
Treatment for hyperhidrosis depends on its cause and severity. Generally, this involves altering personal habits (such as showering more frequently), limiting exposure to certain chemicals, and using antiperspirants with aluminum chloride.
Conclusion
Your healthcare provider may suggest anticholinergic medications. These drugs block receptors on involuntary nerves that cause sweating.
Your doctor can also suggest topical antiperspirants with aluminum chloride should be applied two to four times a day. While these products can be effective, they may cause skin irritation and dryness.
