Learn About Hyperhidrosis

What is the definition of Hyperhidrosis?

Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition in which a person sweats excessively and unpredictably. People with hyperhidrosis may sweat even when the temperature is cool or when they are at rest.

What are the alternative names for Hyperhidrosis?

Sweating - excessive; Perspiration - excessive; Diaphoresis

What are the causes of Hyperhidrosis?

Sweating helps the body stay cool. In most cases, it is perfectly natural. People sweat more in warm temperatures, when they exercise, or in response to situations that make them nervous, angry, embarrassed, or afraid.

Excessive sweating occurs without such triggers. People with hyperhidrosis appear to have overactive sweat glands. The uncontrollable sweating can lead to significant discomfort, both physical and emotional.

When excessive sweating affects the hands, feet, and armpits, it is called focal hyperhidrosis. In most cases, no cause can be found. It seems to run in families.

Sweating that is not caused by another disease is called primary hyperhidrosis.

If the sweating occurs as a result of another medical condition, it is called secondary hyperhidrosis. The sweating may be all over the body (generalized) or it may be in one area (focal). Conditions that cause secondary hyperhidrosis include:

  • Acromegaly
  • Anxiety conditions
  • Cancer
  • Carcinoid syndrome
  • Certain medicines and substances of abuse
  • Glucose control disorders (diabetes and hypoglycemia)
  • Heart disease, such as heart attack
  • Overactive thyroid
  • Lung disease
  • Menopause
  • Parkinson disease
  • Pheochromocytoma (adrenal gland tumor)
  • Spinal cord injury
  • Stroke
  • Tuberculosis or other infections
What are the symptoms of Hyperhidrosis?

The primary symptom of hyperhidrosis is sweating.

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What are the current treatments for Hyperhidrosis?

A wide range of common treatments for hyperhidrosis includes:

  • Antiperspirants -- Excessive sweating may be controlled with strong antiperspirants, which plug the sweat ducts. Products containing 10% to 20% aluminum chloride hexahydrate are the first line of treatment for underarm sweating. Some people may be prescribed a product containing a higher dose of aluminum chloride, which is applied nightly onto the affected areas. Antiperspirants can cause skin irritation, and large doses of aluminum chloride can damage clothing. Note: Deodorants do not prevent sweating but are helpful in reducing body odor.
  • Medicines -- Use of some medicines may prevent stimulation of sweat glands. These are prescribed for certain types of hyperhidrosis such as excessive sweating of the face. Medicines can have side effects and are not right for everyone.
  • Iontophoresis -- This procedure uses electricity to temporarily turn off the sweat gland. It is most effective for sweating of the hands and feet. The hands or feet are placed into water, and then a gentle current of electricity is passed through it. The electricity is gradually increased until the person feels a light tingling sensation. The therapy lasts about 10 to 30 minutes and requires several sessions. Side effects, although rare, include skin cracking and blisters.
  • Botulinum toxin -- Botulinum toxin is used to treat severe underarm, palmar (hand), and plantar (foot) sweating. This condition is called primary axillary hyperhidrosis. Botulinum toxin injected into the underarm temporarily blocks the nerves that stimulate sweating. Side effects include injection-site pain and flu-like symptoms. Botulinum toxin used for sweating of the palms can cause mild, but temporary weakness and intense pain.
  • Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS) -- In severe cases, a minimally invasive surgical procedure called sympathectomy may be recommended when other treatments do not work. The procedure cuts a nerve, turning off the signal that tells the body to sweat excessively. It is usually done on people whose palms sweat much more heavily than normal. It may also be used to treat extreme sweating of the face. ETS does not work as well for those with excessive armpit sweating.
  • Underarm surgery -- This is surgery to remove the sweat glands in the armpits. Methods used include laser, curettage (scraping), excision (cutting), or liposuction. These procedures are done using local anesthesia.
Who are the top Hyperhidrosis Local Doctors?
Internal Medicine
Internal Medicine
46 Daggett Dr, 
West Springfield, MA 
 6.0 mi

Michael Solon is an Internal Medicine provider in West Springfield, Massachusetts. Dr. Solon and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hyperhidrosis. His top areas of expertise are High Potassium Level, Hyperhidrosis, Familial Hypertension, and Glucocorticoid-Remediable Aldosteronism.

Endocrine Associates Of Western Mass, P.C.

2 Medical Ctr Dr, 
Springfield, MA 
 5.0 mi
Offers Telehealth

Kimberly Browne-Martin is an Endocrinologist in Springfield, Massachusetts. Dr. Browne-Martin and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hyperhidrosis. Her top areas of expertise are Hypothyroidism, Obesity in Children, Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young, and Postmenopausal Osteoporosis.

 
 
 
 
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Internal Medicine
Internal Medicine

Baystate Medical Practices Inc

57 Union St, 
Westfield, MA 
 9.8 mi
Offers Telehealth

Roger Beneitone is an Internal Medicine provider in Westfield, Massachusetts. Dr. Beneitone has been practicing medicine for over 43 years and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hyperhidrosis. His top areas of expertise are Sitosterolemia, Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizure, Melorheostosis with Osteopoikilosis, and Melorheostosis.

What is the outlook (prognosis) for Hyperhidrosis?

With treatment, hyperhidrosis can be managed. Your provider can discuss treatment options with you.

When should I contact a medical professional for Hyperhidrosis?

Contact your provider if you have sweating:

  • That is prolonged, excessive, and unexplained.
  • With or followed by chest pain or pressure.
  • With weight loss.
  • That occurs mostly during sleep.
  • With fever, weight loss, chest pain, shortness of breath, or a rapid, pounding heartbeat. These symptoms may be a sign of an underlying disease, such as overactive thyroid.
What are the latest Hyperhidrosis Clinical Trials?
A Phase 2, Randomised, Double-blind, Vehicle-controlled, Dose Finding, Efficacy, Tolerability and Safety Study of Victorhy in Patients With Severe Hand Hyperhidrosis

Summary: The objective of this study is to assess the efficacy and safety of Victorhy, a topical TTB gel in patients with severe primary hand hyperhidrosis.

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Outcome of Bilateral Thoracoscopic Sympathectomy for Patients with Primary Focal Hyperhidrosis, Sohag University Hospital Experience

Summary: The goal of this clinical trial is to examine the overall efficiency of Bilateral Thoracoscopic Sympathectomy on the permanent reduction of Primary focal hyperhidrosis of predilective parts of the body, palms, armpits, face, and soles.

Who are the sources who wrote this article ?

Published Date: June 07, 2023
Published By: Elika Hoss, MD, Assistant Professor of Dermatology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

What are the references for this article ?

Farrugia ME, Kavanagh GM. Hyperhidrosis. In: Lebwohl MG, Heymann WR, Coulson IH, Murrell DF, eds. Treatment of Skin Disease: Comprehensive Therapeutic Strategies. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 109.

James WD, Elston DM, Treat JR, Rosenbach MA, Neuhaus IM. Diseases of the skin appendages. In: James WD, Elston DM, Treat JR, Rosenbach MA, Neuhaus IM, eds. Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology. 13th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 33.

Miller JL. Diseases of the eccrine and apocrine sweat glands. In: Bolognia JL, Schaffer JV, Cerroni L, eds. Dermatology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 39.