Hyperhidrosis

When a person perspires and produces sweat in normal conditions in normal amount, he is in healthy condition. But sometimes, this mechanism of perspiration gets disturbed and goes out of place. It starts secreting more amount of sweat than normal. This condition is called hyperhidrosis.

Hyperhidrosis is quite an embarrassing condition and is also serious health problem as it hinders in person’s day today activities. Most of the people suffering with it, usually take it as a simple nuisance only. When this sweat comes in contact with bacteria on skin, it starts giving out unpleasant odor.

Symptoms of Hyperhidrosis:

Usually people tend to sweat in common conditions like being in hot weather, while exercising strenuously, anxiety, nervousness or stress.

Any perspiration happened as a result of any emotion is seen on face, palms, armpits, soles of feet. It is not easy to define what the normal amount of sweating for any individual is. It also depends upon your mood, hormone levels, diet and any medical condition.

Cause of hyperhidrosis:

There are two types of sweat glands in the skin: eccrine glands and apocrine glands. Eccrine glands are present on all over the body and apocrine glands are present on the areas where there are abundant hair follicles.

Following may be causes for excessive sweating: Hyperhidrosis

It may be hereditary. For some people, it ruins into families to have excessive sweat on palms and soles of feet.

Drinking of hot beverages, alcohol can cause it. Also if you eat excessively spicy food, then too hyperhidrosis is caused.

There are some medications like antipsychotic drugs used to treat mental disorders, morphine; analgesics like aspirin tend to increase sweating.

At the time of menopause, women feel intense heat due to low levels of estrogen and tend to sweat more.

Low level of blood sugar: it is common in people with diabetes.

Low level of male hormones

During fever: When a person start becoming normal after a high fever, it is accompanied by excessive sweating.

Overactive Thyroid or hyperthyroidism

Heart Attack

Person sweat more during Malaria, tuberculosis and certain types cancers

When to seek medical help:

When you feel that you are producing sweat than normal and feel a change in body odor, you should consult a doctor.

What are the complications associated with Hyperhidrosis:

 The most important complication associated with hyperhidrosis is bacterial infection. There can be bacterial infection around hair follicles and can lead to increase of warts. Persons with hyperhidrosis may suffer with fungal infections because fungi develop in warm and moist environments like in sweaty shoes. People who have their feet closed in shoes for longer and have excessive sweating are prone to fungal nail infection in toes.

People with hyperhidrosis in their palms, armpits and soles have to face many social, educational, occupational and psychological consequences. With wet, sweaty palms, it becomes difficult to hold any thing for longer and you will feel embarrassed in shaking hands with others. Due to excessive sweating, your clothes are wet for longer and produce bad smell due to bacterial contact. You have to face embarrassment due to wet armpits and cloths.

People with sweaty feet; tend to develop an infection called Athlete’s foot. Another consequence of excessive sweating is occurrence of heat rash or prickly heat. It happens due to pores around sweat glands get blocked and sweat gets locked inside. This gives rise to fine red bumps which give itching sensation.

Treatment for Hyperhidrosis:

The simplest treatment one can do to tackle hyperhidrosis is to make use of over the counter antiperspirants and deodorants. Deodorants are used to control odor of sweat by killing skin bacteria. On the other hand, antiperspirants control the amount of perspiration by blocking sweat ducts with aluminum salts.

For more sever conditions, you can consult adoctor and he may prescribe an antiperspirant. And for even more severe form of hyperhidrosis, there are other treatments like

Iontophoresis: A mild electric current is passed in affected area but is not much effective treatment.

Botulinum Injections: This chemical is used to inactivate the nerves producing sweat but is a painful process with temporary results.

Other drugs doctor often prescribe are anticholinergic drug such as glycopyrrolate (Robinul, Robinul Forte).

In rare cases, surgery is performed to remove sweat glands. Another surgery is to cut sympathetic nerves which carry message to sweat glands.

Self-Care for Hyperhidrosis:

You can follow few steps to reduce amount of sweating

Bathe Daily

Dry your feet after bath

Change your shoes alternatively to let them dry.

Do not wear same pair of socks next day. Also wear socks made up of natural fabrics.

Wear cloths made up of natural fibers.

Change your diet and try to have relaxation techniques to relieve yourself from stress and anxiety