Understanding Hyperhidrosis
- viren chauhan
- Jun 28
- 2 min read
What Is Hyperhidrosis?
Ever had your friends jokingly ask why your palms are so sweaty? Sometimes it may be a symptom of a real condition known as hyperhidrosis or excessive sweating. Typically, one sweats as a form of body temperature regulation. Hyperhidrosis is a condition wherein one sweats more than physically necessary in some parts of the body. It typically shows in the following areas:
Underarms
Scalp
Palms
Feet
Face
Why Does It Happen?
The nerve that controls sweat production, the sympathetic nerve fibers, are overstimulated and, as a result, there is more sweat released. It can have two forms: Primary and Secondary. Primary Hyperhidrosis is a genetic condition, so it is inherited from a parent or grandparent. Moreover, it usually starts in one's childhood and worsens during puberty. On the other hand, Secondary Hyperhidrosis is when one has Hyperhidrosis as a result of another condition such as the following listed below. Secondary Hyperhidrosis usually starts later in one's life.
Endocrine Disorders
Diabetes Mellitus
Infections
Neurological Conditions
Cancer
Medication Side Effects
Substance Use Symptom
How Frequent Is This Condition & How Do I Know If I Have It?
Primary Hyperhidrosis occurs in roughly 5% of the American population or about 15.5 million people. However, it is a very underreported condition so numbers are likely higher.
Hyperhidrosis can be diagnosed with general observation and patient history, but more specific tests include two run by doctors:
Vapometer: measures transepidermal water loss or the sweat produced by the body parts mentioned above.
Starch Iodine Test: test that turns sweat brown to detect hyperhidrosis.
How Does This Impact One's Life?
There are some physical impacts to this condition such as fungal infections and skin maceration. However, one of the biggest places this condition affects you is mentally. For many the social discomfort and anxiety of this condition is severe and impacts how they view themselves and interact with others around them, such as avoiding physical contact with others. If you know someone with this condition, do what you can to help them feel normal about this condition. If you have this condition, understand that you are far from alone in it, and you are not worse or odd because of it. Everyone has their things!
Solutions
Solutions include:
Antiperspirants
Oral Anticholinergic Medications
Surgery
Topical Drying Creams
Microwave Thermolysis of Sweat Glans
Dietary Changes
Botox Injections
Assessed and Endorsed by the MedReport Medical Review Board
