Excessive Sweating (Hyperhidrosis) – Causes, Treatment & Prevention

Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis)

Excessive sweating is an unpleasant phenomenon that puts a lot of strain on many people and reduces their quality of life. In medicine, this type of disease is called hyperhidrosis . Excessive sweating occurs regardless of the temperature in the area and has clear, externally visible signs. Hyperhidrosis has different degrees of severity.

What is excessive sweating?

Excessive sweating is also referred to in medical jargon as hyper- (over or more) hidrosis and describes an abnormality that appears both on the whole body and on certain parts of the body.

The main areas of the body affected by excessive sweating include the palms of the hands, the armpits and the soles of the feet. Excessive sweating can also be seen on the forehead. Excessive sweating is based on the normal and vital secretion of body sweat, but in contrast to this it is much more intense.

causes

The causes of excessive sweating are quite diverse and evoke different characteristics and types. It has not yet been clearly clarified how excessive sweating occurs in certain restricted parts of the body.Excessive sweating can only occur in some diseases, such as the so-called Frey syndrome and an underactive thyroid gland . Excessive sweating will also appear as a result of altered hormonal balance, various drugs, obesity , cardiovascular disorders and hypoglycaemia .

Infectious diseases such as colds , some tumor diseases and neurological diseases can also cause excessive sweating. Excessive sweating mainly occurs at night in tuberculosis and collagenosis Psychological stressful situations can also trigger excessive sweat production.

When to the doctor?

In the case of excessive sweating, a visit to the doctor is recommended if the intensive sweating cannot be controlled by the typical hygiene measures, puts a strain on private and professional life, excessive sweating and wet palms occur even with slight exertion or stress and it also occurs in a normal climate whole body or on the head the formation of sweat occurs.

A doctor should also be consulted if the sweating is due to an infection that has already healed or if there are other symptoms such as muscle pain or headaches. If severe thirst or paleness is observed at the same time, there may be a serious underlying disease that requires rapid clarification. The visit to the doctor is acute when depressive moods, fears and nervousness join the excessive sweating.

If you are trembling, dizzy, nauseated or have a racing heart, you should go to the emergency room immediately. Warning signs are also: pain in the chest area, weakness, shortness of breath and dizziness. Acute excessive sweating, which is accompanied by one or more of these symptoms, indicates a heart attack and in any case requires immediate clarification by the emergency doctor.

diagnosis and course

There are different types of the diagnosed forms of excessive sweating. In addition to primary hyperhidrosis, secondary hyperhidrosis is also important. Primary excessive sweating is not related to the whole body. Excessive sweating as a secondary phenomenon presents itself as a general hyperfunction that affects the entire organism.

In this context, there is probably an additional equalization of body temperature, which is referred to as thermoregulation and does not occur with physical exertion. Due to individual causes, an excess of heat forms in the body, which is given off by excessive sweating. Normal body temperature may have reached more than the set point during excessive sweating.

The diagnosis of excessive sweating is primarily based on a so-called iodine-starch test, which is carried out on the skin. Another test method used for excessive sweating is the gravimetric test.

complications

Hyperhidrosis can cause various complications. In most cases, the patient is psychologically distressed. Excessive sweating usually creates an unpleasant smell of sweat, which can have a repulsive effect on other people. This can lead to social difficulties and exclusion. Bullying and teasing can occur here, especially among children. Excessive sweating also damages the outer layers of the skin. Due to hyperhidrosis, these cannot regenerate properly, which can lead to skin diseases.

Fungal infections can occur, especially in places such as feet or hands , if the patient does not pay enough attention to his hygiene. The infections can also cause severe itching in the affected areas. Hyperhidrosis causes panic attacks and anxiety disorders in many people, which can occur especially in stressful situations. Those affected often withdraw and break off social contact. Hyperhidrosis can be treated by removing the sweat glands in the affected areas. There are no further complaints or complications. However, it is not possible to remove the sweat glands all over the body.

treatment and therapy

In order to be able to deal with excessive sweating in a therapeutically effective manner, there are varying methods. Before deciding on an adequate treatment method, the extent of the excessive sweating is thoroughly examined. According to this, treatments against excessive sweating are available to doctors, which are limited to what is known as axillary hyperhidrosis (under the armpits) and also to localized excessive sweating in the hand and foot zones.

Depending on other manifestations of excessive sweating, procedures based on drug therapy with antihydrotics and psychotropic drugs can also be considered .Another treatment option against excessive sweating is the method known as topical treatment. Within the measures carried out, aluminum chloride is used, which is intended to reduce sweating. The penetration of the aluminum chloride closes the sweat glands and stops excessive sweating.

Methenamine, which is applied to the skin in an ointment and regulates the formation of sweat, has another effect. Iontophoresis is a water-based procedure that uses electricity. Chemical, surgical and systemic treatment is also useful.

prevention

To prevent excessive sweating, some chemical agents with antiperspirants are useful. However, they do not work indefinitely. Clothing that is as airy and breathable as possible, reducing stress and Kneipp treatments can help prevent excessive sweating. Regular relaxation exercises and clothing free of synthetic fibers are also effective.

Dorothy Farrar

Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.

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