Hyperhidrosis, Its Effects, and Treatments

Sweating heavily is something that you may do during physical exercise or on a warm summer day. However, you may be doing it frequently for no apparent reason. If so, it might be time to consider Hyperhidrosis, its effects, and treatments.

What is Hyperhidrosis?

Experts also refer to Hyperhidrosis as Polyhidrosis or Sudorrhea (Brazier, 2017). It causes the body to sweat excessively on occasions other than warm temperatures or physical exercise (Mayo, 2020). Consequently, a person can sweat to the extent that it runs off their hands or soaks through their clothes. 

Primarily, the heavy sweating that Hyperhidrosis produces occurs typically around the armpits, hands, feet, and groin areas. Of course, these are where sweat glands are in high concentration naturally (Brazier, 2017). However, it can also affect the whole body. Therefore, you can categorize Hyperhidrosis in two ways:

• Focal Hyperhidrosis. Excessive sweating is in localized areas.
• Generalized Hyperhidrosis. Excessive sweating across the entire body.

What are the Effects of Hyperhidrosis?

Significantly, Hyperhidrosis affects just under 5% of the population. Therefore, it is a condition that can cause extreme embarrassment to many people. Indeed, Hyperhidrosis’s stigma can lead to a lack of confidence or depression in some cases (Medpage Today, 2018). Consequently, these emotional effects of Hyperhidrosis have a negative impact on the person in social settings and professionally. This leads to a poorer quality of life compared to the general population (Lenefsky, 2018).

There are physical effects from this condition too. Constantly sweating and wet skin increases the risk of other skin conditions developing. For instance, athlete’s foot, bacterial infections, or, in more severe cases, pitted keratolysis. It can also lead to maceration of the skin (WebMD, 2020). Various reports conclude there is a 30% greater risk of hyperhidrosis patients suffering from skin infections (Lenefsky, 2018). 

What Are the Symptoms of Hyperhidrosis?

Signs and symptoms of Hyperhidrosis include the following (Delgado, 2020):

• Excessive sweating for a minimum of six months with no apparent reason.
• Sweating on both sides of the body in similar amounts.
• Excessive sweating at least once per week.
• Sweating during normal daily activities, such as work or meeting people.
• Excessive sweating that began before the age of 25.
• Not sweating while sleeping.
• Family history of Hyperhidrosis

How Can We Treat Hyperhidrosis?

Medications

Medications used to treat hyperhidrosis include:

• Prescription antiperspirant
• Prescription creams
• Nerve-blocking medications
• Antidepressants

Botulinum Toxin (Botox) Injections

Receiving Botox injections will temporarily block the nerves that cause sweat (Mayo, 2020). The procedure involves icing or anesthetizing the skin, then injecting the affected areas. Botox injections can be painful, and some patients experience temporary muscle weakness (Mayo, 2020). Botox is effective for 12 months when you use it as a treatment for Hyperhidrosis. After this time, you will need to repeat the process.

Surgical and other procedures

Surgical and other procedures used to treat hyperhidrosis include:

• Microwave therapy
• Sweat gland removal
• Nerve surgery (sympathectomy)

Hopefully, you are not someone that has this condition. You should, at least, now be more aware of Hyperhidrosis, its effects, and treatments.

If you have any other questions about hyperhidrois and its treatment options, please free to contact us or your GP.

Brazier, Y. (2017, December 21). Hyperhidrosis: Symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment. Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/182130

Lenefsky, M. (2018, December 20). Hyperhidrosis and Its Impact on Those Living With It. AJMC. https://www.ajmc.com/view/hyperhidrosis-and-its-impact–on-those-living-with-it

Mayo. (2020, August 18). Hyperhidrosis. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hyperhidrosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20367152

Medpage Today. (2018, July 9). The Effects on Patients’ Lives: Social Embarrassment and Psychological Effects. Medical News and Free CME Online. https://www.medpagetoday.com/resource-centers/focus-hyperhidrosis/effects-patients-lives-social-embarrassment-and-psychological-effects/2074

WebMD. (2020, June 16). 6 Common Complications Of Hyperhidrosis (Excessive Sweating). WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/common-complications-of-hyperhidrosis