Hyperhidrose

In hyperhidrosis, your body’s sweat glands act excessively. This overactivity causes you to sweat a lot, at times and in places where other people do not sweat or do not sweat as much. Sometimes a medical condition or emotion (such as anxiety) triggers excessive sweating. For many people with hyperhidrosis, controlling symptoms can be a constant challenge.

Generalized hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating due to another medical condition. Many conditions (such as diabetes and Parkinson’s disease) can cause the body to sweat more than usual. Some medications, such as naproxen (Aleve®) and zinc supplements (Cold-Eeze®), have the side effect of causing excessive sweating. Generalized hyperhidrosis, also called secondary hyperhidrosis, tends to occur in adults.

It is estimated that between 2 and 5% of people in Switzerland suffer from hyperhidrosis. However, this figure could be higher. Many people who sweat excessively do not talk about their symptoms and never talk to their health care professional. It is therefore difficult to estimate the number of people affected by hyperhidrosis.

Sweating is your body’s way of cooling itself when it’s too hot (when you’re exercising, sick or very nervous). Nerves tell your sweat glands to start working. In hyperhidrosis, some sweat glands work overtime for no apparent reason, producing sweat that you don’t need.

1.  Certain smells and foods, including citric acid, coffee, chocolate, peanut butter and spices.
2. Emotional stress, especially anxiety.
3. Heat.

• Dysautonomia (autonomic dysfunction).
• Heat, humidity and exercise.
• Infections, such as tuberculosis.
• Malignant tumors, such as Hodgkin’s disease (cancer of the lymphatic system).
• Menopause.
• Metabolic diseases and disorders, including hyperthyroidism, diabetes, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), pheochromocytoma (benign adrenal gland tumor), gout, and pituitary disease.
• Severe psychological stress.
• Certain prescription drugs, including some antidepressants (buproprion or Wellbutrin®) and insulins (Humulin® R).

In the case of secondary hyperhidrosis, a medical condition or medication causes you to sweat more than usual.

Focal hyperhidrosis runs in families, suggesting a genetic link. Although it is common for several members of a family to have hyperhidrosis, you may not know it. This is because many people with hyperhidrosis do not feel comfortable talking about their symptoms.

The symptoms of hyperhidrosis can vary greatly in severity and impact on your life. Minor symptoms may fluctuate over a long period of time. Or excessive sweating can be a daily challenge, a constant source of frustration and insecurity.

• • Build up under your arms or around your back.

  • Soak your shirt to the point that you have to change clothes to feel comfortable.

  • Bead on your cheeks or forehead.

  • Wet or drip onto your hands or soak your socks.

Excessive sweating can also cause:

• Itching and inflammation when sweat irritates the affected area.
• Body odor, when bacteria on the skin mixes with sweat particles.
• Residue from combinations of sweat, bacteria and chemicals (deodorants), leaving visible marks on clothing.
• Skin changes, such as paleness or other discoloration, cracks or wrinkles.
• Maceration (abnormally soft or falling apart skin) on the soles of the feet.

Generalized hyperhidrosis causes the whole body to sweat. Focal hyperhidrosis mainly affects the following areas:

• The armpits (axillary hyperhidrosis).
• The bottom of the feet (plantar hyperhidrosis).
• The face, including the cheeks and forehead.
• Lower back.
• Genitalia.
• The underside (palm) of the hands (palmar hyperhidrosis).