Hyperhidrosis is the medical term used to describe the excessive sweating condition that affects millions of Americans. Excess sweating can occur in specific regions (primary focal hyperhidrosis) or throughout the body (secondary generalized hyperhidrosis).
The hands, feet, armpits (axillae), and groin have the highest concentration of sweat glands (eccrine glands). This makes them some of the most common areas with the greatest perspiration. Having an overactive sweat gland in the palms is known as palmar hyperhidrosis and excess sweating in the feet is plantar hyperhidrosis. Excessive underarm sweating is known as axillary hyperhidrosis.
Excess sweat may be a sign of a medical condition, such as hyperthyroidism, diabetes, or heart disease. This is more likely if the increase in sweating occurs later in life. However, many people who experience hyperhidrosis are otherwise healthy.
This common type of hyperhidrosis sweat is referred to as "primary hyperhidrosis." Primary hyperhidrosis usually arises during adolescence and appears to be an inherited trait. People with hyperhidrosis commonly complain that they get nervous because they sweat, then sweat more because they get nervous. It could become an endless cycle if not treated or managed at least.
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If you're struggling with excessive underarm sweating, Brella may be the solution you've been searching for. Contact our Dover or Londonderry location and learn more about how Brella can help you achieve lasting dryness and comfort.
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The cause of primary hyperhidrosis is unknown, but most patients with this sweating disorder seemed to inherit it from their family members. Some of the most common triggers for this condition are often related to social or physical stress. Anxiety can exacerbate sweating for many people, as can alcohol, caffeine, certain foods, or even certain smells.
On the other hand, secondary hyperhidrosis is often caused by certain medical conditions like skin infection, cancer, or some types of thyroid problems. It usually starts during the patient’s adulthood. Most patients have hyperhidrosis sweat throughout their bodies, but it may also just affect one area.
Some people with hyperhidrosis suffer lifestyle and career challenges. For people with armpit sweating, hiding embarrassing sweat spots under the armpits can limit their arm movements and pose. In some severe cases, some of them might even have skin maceration or body odor because of the bacteria built up in the moist armpit.
Patients who have excessive sweat may even be forced to change their shirts several times a day. Employees, such as sales staff, who interact with many new people can experience social rejection.
Anyone may develop hyperhidrosis, but certain factors put people at higher risk of having this medical condition such as:
Women in their menopause period may also experience excessive sweating whenever they have hot flashes that usually last for a few minutes. The hormonal imbalance in their bodies may also be another possible reason for hyperhidrosis.
Although excessive sweating is a common condition, most patients don't seek the help of healthcare professionals because they’re embarrassed to talk about it. The good news is that this condition is manageable with an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Make sure to call your healthcare provider to consult about hyperhidrosis if you:
Visiting the website of the International Hyperhidrosis Society also helps some patients understand their condition better if they’re not ready to face a dermatologist yet.
However, consultation with a healthcare provider is still necessary to determine the cause of the sweating disorder and treat it with the right procedures.
Excessive sweating can be extremely uncomfortable, but there are a few ways to reduce sweating even at home. Here’s how you can manage your hyperhidrosis using natural or over-the-counter remedies:
A: This depends on the type of hyperhidrosis treatment you had, but patients who went through ETS surgery are more likely to experience compensatory sweating than others. But like hyperhidrosis itself, compensatory sweating is also a treatable condition so it would be best to talk to your healthcare provider about it.
A: No, there’s not enough evidence to support this belief. The main risk of using antiperspirants is the skin irritation that might occur if there are cuts in the problem areas that might become infected or if the patient is allergic to some of the ingredients used in their topical antiperspirant.
A: It’s difficult to prevent focal hyperhidrosis, but it’s possible to prevent most cases of generalized hyperhidrosis. The most important key to doing this is to get an accurate diagnosis and treatment for the underlying medical condition that may cause generalized hyperhidrosis.
At Dermatology & Skin Health, our excellent dermatology services are guaranteed to be safe and effective, performed by the top doctors in their respective fields. Treat your skin problems by contacting us today.
If you suffer from excessive sweating in your armpit, palm, foot, or other parts of the body, schedule a consultation at Dermatology & Skin Health now. Our team specializes in a wide selection of medical treatments for focal and generalized hyperhidrosis, so you can trust us to provide you with the best solutions to reduce sweating and manage other associated symptoms.
Please fill out the request form on our site or give us a call at (603) 742-5556 (Dover & Newington), (978) 525-0100 (Peabody), (603) 742-5556 (Londonderry), or (603) 742-5556 (Bedford) to book an appointment. Get the best skin advice and treatments from our team of experts by contacting us today.
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