Is Your Excessive Sweating Caused by a Medical Problem Or just the way you're made? Find out more...

Hyperhidrosis, also known as polyhidrosis or sudorrhea, is a condition characterized by excessive sweating. The sweating can affect just one specific area or the whole body.
Although not life-threatening, it can be uncomfortable and cause embarrassment and psychological trauma.
Hyperhidrosis can be psychologically damaging.

The excessive sweating associated with hyperhidrosis is normally most active in the hands, feet, armpits, and the groin because of their relatively high concentration of sweat glands.

Focal hyperhidrosis: When the excessive sweating is localized. For example, palmoplantar hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating of the palms and soles.
Generalized hyperhidrosis: Excessive sweating affects the entire body.
Hyperhidrosis may be present from birth or might develop later in life. However, most cases of excessive sweating tend to start during a person's teenage years.

The condition can be due to an underlying health condition, or have no apparent cause :
Primary idiopathic hyperhidrosis: "Idiopathic" means "of unknown cause." In the majority of cases, the hyperhidrosis is localized.

Secondary hyperhidrosis: The person sweats too much because of an underlying health condition, such as obesity, gout , menopause , a tumor, mercury poisoning, diabetes mellitus, or hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland).

According to the International Hyperhidrosis Association, approximately 2.8 percent of Americans are affected by hyperhidrosis; that's around 7.8 million people.
For some, hyperhidrosis symptoms are so severe that it becomes embarrassing, causing discomfort and anxiety . The patient's career choices, free time activities, personal relationships, self-image, and emotional well-being may be affected.
Fortunately, there are several options which can treat symptoms effectively. The biggest challenge in treating hyperhidrosis is the significant number of people who do not seek medical advice, either due to embarrassment or because they do not know that effective treatment exists.

Symptoms of hyperhidrosis
Hyperhidrosis is defined as sweating that disrupts normal activities. Episodes of excessive sweating occur at least once a week for no clear reason and have an effect on social life or daily activities.
Signs and symptoms of hyperhidrosis may include:
-Clammy or wet palms of the hands
-Clammy or wet soles of the feet
-Frequent sweating

Noticeable sweating that soaks through people with hyperhidrosis might experience the following:
-Irritating and painful skin problems, such as fungal or bacterial infections
-Worrying about having stained clothing
-Reluctant to make physical contact
-Self-conscious
-Socially withdrawn, sometimes leading to depression
-Select employment where physical contact or human interaction is not a job requirement
-Spend a large amount of time each day dealing with sweat, such as changing clothes, wiping, placing napkins or pads under the arms, washing, wearing bulky, or dark clothes
-Worry more than other people about body odor

Experts are not certain why, but excessive sweating during sleep is not common for people with primary hyperhidrosis (the type not linked to any underlying medical condition).

Causes of hyperhidrosis
The causes of primary hyperhidrosis are not well-understood; on the other hand, secondary hyperhidrosis has a long list  of known causes .
Causes of primary hyperhidrosis
Primary hyperhidrosis appears to have a genetic component.
People used to think that primary hyperhidrosis was linked to the patient's mental and emotional state, that the condition was psychological and only affected stressed, anxious, or nervous individuals.

However, recent research has demonstrated that individuals with hyperhidrosis are no more prone to feelings of anxiety , nervousness, or stress than the rest of the population when exposed to the same triggers.

In fact, it is the other way round - the emotional and mental feelings experienced by many patients with hyperhidrosis are because of the excessive sweating.

Studies have also shown that certain genes play a role in hyperhidrosis, making it look more likely that it could be inherited. The majority of patients with primary hyperhidrosis have a sibling or parent with the condition.
Causes of secondary hyperhidrosis
-Spinal cord injury
-Alcohol abuse
-Anxiety
-Diabetes
-Gout
-Heart disease
-Hyperthyroidism - an overactive thyroid gland
-Obesity
-Parkinson's disease
-Pregnancy
-Respiratory failure
-Shingles
-Some cancers, such as Hodgkin's disease
-Some infections - HIV, malaria, TB ( tuberculosis )
-Some medications, including some antidepressants, anticholinesterases (for Alzheimer's disease), pilocarpine (for
glaucoma ), propranolol (for high blood pressure )
-Substance abuse

Diagnosing hyperhidrosis
Initially, a doctor may try to rule out any underlying conditions, such as an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) or low blood sugar (hypoglycemia ) by ordering blood and urine tests.
Patients will be asked about the patterns of their sweating - which parts of the body are affected, how often sweating episodes occur, and whether sweating occurs during sleep.

The patient may be asked a series of questions, or have to fill in a questionnaire about the impact of excessive sweating; questions may include:
-Do you carry anything around to deal with episodes of excessive sweating, such as napkins, antiperspirants, towels, or pads?
-Does hyperhidrosis affect your behavior or mental state when you are in public?
-Has hyperhidrosis had any effect on your employment?
-Have you ever lost a friend due to hyperhidrosis?
-How often do you change your clothing?
-How often do you wash or have a shower/bath?
-How often do you think about excessive sweating?

Thermoregulatory sweat test: a powder which is sensitive to moisture is applied to the skin. When excessive sweating occurs at room temperature, the powder changes color. The patient is then exposed to high heat and humidity in a sweat cabinet, which triggers sweating throughout the whole body.
When exposed to heat, people who do not have hyperhidrosis tend not to sweat excessively in the palms of their hands, but patients with hyperhidrosis do. This test also helps the doctor determine the severity of the condition.

Treatment of hyperhidrosis

Simple lifestyle changes can sometimes ease hyperhidrosis' symptoms.
Some alterations in daily activity and lifestyle may help improve symptoms:
-Antiperspirants - deodorants do not stop sweating, but antiperspirants sprays do. Some prescription antiperspirants include aluminum chloride, which plugs the sweat .
-Armpit shields - pads worn in the armpit to protect a garment from perspiration.
Clothing - certain synthetic fibers, such as nylon, may worsen symptoms. Loose clothing is better.
-Shoes - synthetic materials are more likely to worsen symptoms. Natural materials, such as leather, are recommended.
-Socks - some socks are better at absorbing moisture, such as thick, soft ones made of natural fibers.
If the measures mentioned above are not effective enough, a doctor may refer the patient to a skin specialist (dermatologist), who may recommend:

Iontophoresis - the hands and feet are submerged in a bowl of water. A painless electric current is passed through the water. Most patients need two to four 20-30 minute treatments.

Botulinum toxin (Botox injections) - Botox injections block the nerves that trigger the sweat glands. Patients with hyperhidrosis may need several injections for effective results.

Anticholinergic drugs - these medications inhibit the transmission of parasympathetic nerve impulses. Patients generally notice an improvement in symptoms within about 2 weeks.

ETS (Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy) - this surgical intervention is only recommended in severe cases which have not responded to other treatments. The nerves that carry messages to the sweat glands are cut.

ETS may be used to treat hyperhidrosis of the face, hands or armpits. ETS is not recommended for treating hyperhidrosis of the feet because of the risk of permanent sexual dysfunction.

Complications of hyperhidrosis

Nail infections: Especially toenail infections.

Warts: Skin growths caused by the HPV ( human papillomavirus ).

Bacterial infections: Especially around hair follicles and between the toes.

Heat rash (prickly heat, miliaria): An itchy, red skin rash that often causes a stinging or prickling sensation. Heat rash develops when sweat ducts become blocked and perspiration is trapped under the skin.

Psychological impact: Excessive sweating can affect the patient's self-confidence, job, and relationships. Some individuals may become anxious, emotionally stressed, socially withdrawn, and even depressed.

On average, a person with hyperhidrosis seeks medical help after living with the condition for 9 years. It is important to spread the word that the symptoms of excessive sweating can be effectively treated.

Written by Christian Nordqvist
Reviewed by University of Illinois-Chicago, School of Medicine