:: Excessive Sweating (Hyperhidrosis)

:: What is hyperhidrosis?

Hyperhidrosis means excessive sweating. Sweating is a normal function and is one of the most important ways in which the body loses excess heat. Those people with hyperhidrosis produce sweat in amounts far greater than needed to control their temperature, and this can have a major impact on quality of life. Having sweaty hands, feet or armpits can be embarrassing at the least and can increase anxiety and stress in work and at play.

There are tow main types of hyperhidrosis:

1. Focal hyperhidrosis is the more common type involving excessive sweating on the feet, hands and in about 30-40% of cases, the armpits. The face may also be affected, but less often. Even less common is gustatory hyperhidrosis, when sweating on the face is triggered by hot or spicy food. Botox is recommended for the treatment of focal hyperhidrosis affecting the armpits (axillary hyperhidrosis) when other treatments have not worked.
2. Generalised hyperhidrosis affects the whole body. It is much less common and is usually caused by another illness such as an infection, diabetes or when the thyroid gland is overactive. The excessive sweating usually stops when the illness is treated. There are some patients where there is no apparent disease to account for their condition.

:: How common is hyperhidrosis?

It has been estimated that up to 1% of the population has some form of hyperhidrosis. It usually starts during the teens and twenties.

:: What are the causes of hyperhidrosis?

It is not known why some people are affected and others are not but there may be a genetic cause in some patients.

Hyperhidrosis is caused by overactivity of one type of sweat gland, the eccrine gland. These glands are found virtually all over the body surface but they are concentrated on the palms of the hands, the soles of the feet and in the armpits.

Many things can trigger normal sweating and this is also true for hyperhidrosis – it is just the amount of sweating that varies.

Examples of triggers include:

* Exercise
* Heat or cold
* Alcohol, coffer or tea, smoking, hot or spicy food
* Stress, anxiety or strong emotions
* Certain times of the day

:: What can I do about hyperhidrosis?

Simple self-help measures you can take include:

* Choose clothing that will keep you cool
* Keep your work environment cool and well aired
* Avoid the food and drinks that you know triggers your sweating
* Reduce stress, tension and anxiety wherever and whenever you can
* Pay attention to your personal hygiene

:: What treatments are there for hyperhidrosis?

There are several other treatments for hyperhidrosis, some of which you may have tried already:

* Aluminium chloride is the active ingredient of some roll-on or aerosol antiperspirants. It is used in stronger solutions to treat hyperhidrosis; it works quite well on sweating in the armpits and is easy to use. Its effects last for only 48 hours but it is usually applied daily. Skin irritation can be a problem in some patients.
* Iontophoresis is the passage of a weak electric current through a water bath. The area affected by sweating is immersed in the water and electrically charged particles (ions) block the activity of sweat glands. The effects last for 3-4 days but the effects last longer with repeated treatment. This is really only practical for hands and feet.
* Tablet medication including beta blockers and mild tranquillisers if anxiety is an important trigger for the sweating; antihistamine drugs suppress sweating, but side effects can be more troublesome for many patients.
* Relaxation, psychotherapy or acupuncture are other ways that some people find helpful. Discuss these treatments with your doctor before trying them.
* Surgery can provide a permanent solution but the side effects can be potentially serious and the result may be only partly effective. As with any form of surgery there is also a small risk from general anaesthesia. Surgery is usually considered when other methods of treatment have not worked. There are several types including excision, curettage and sympathectomy.

:: Next Page - Hyperhidrosis Continued