Hyperhidrosis is defined as a medical condition in which a person sweats unpredictably and excessively, even when the air is cool or while he or she is simply resting. The normal person sweats during exercise, when the weather is hot, or in response to scenarios that create anger, nervousness, being afraid, and similar situations.
Hyperhidrosis, excessive sweating, occurs in people with overactive sweat glands in the armpits, hands, palms, soles of the feet, or in other regions of the body, which can lead to significant physical and emotional discomfort.
Causes
Although most cases of hyperhidrosis occur in people who are otherwise healthy, this condition can be caused by anxiety, a traumatic event, heart or lung disease, certain medications, substance abuse, glucose control disorders, menopause, weight loss, and additional diseases or infections.
Tests
Hyperhidrosis can be diagnosed with paper or starch-iodine tests. In a paper test, a special paper is put on the affected area to absorb the sweat, and then the paper is weighed. The heavier the paper, the more sweat has accumulated. In a starch-iodine test, an iodine solution is placed on the sweaty portion of the skin. After that dries, starch is sprinkled on the area. The combination turns a dark blue color where there is excess sweat.
Treatments
- Clinical-strength Antiperspirants
These products plug the sweat ducts. Products containing 10 percent to 20 percent aluminum chloride hexahydrate are usually tried first before suggesting a higher dose. This is applied nightly onto the affected areas. On some people, antiperspirants can cause skin irritation, and also be aware that large doses of aluminum chloride can damage clothing. - Medication
There are medications that attempt to prevent stimulation of sweat glands. However, these treatments may have side effects and are not the right answer for everyone. - Iontophoresis
This procedure uses electricity to temporarily "turn off" the sweat gland in the hands or feet. A gentle current of electricity is administered through a body of water and is slowly increased until a tingling sensation is felt. The treatments are not painful. This lasts approximately 10 to 20 minutes and requires a number of sessions and then a maintenance program of treatments at one- to three-week intervals. - Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy (ETS)
This minimally-invasive surgical procedure may be used in severe cases in which other treatments do not work. This turns off the signal that tells the body to sweat excessively, especially in the palms or face, but not as helpful in overly excessive armpit sweating. - Underarm Surgery
Performed using local anesthesia, this type of surgery removes the armpits sweat glands. Methods used include laser, liposuction, curettage (scraping) or excision (cutting).
