Body odor has plagued people for thousands of years. In fact, soap was invented by the Phoenicians in 600 B.C. and ancient Egyptians are known to have bathed in perfumed water in an attempt to mask their body odor.[1] Luckily, these days there are many effective ways to manage sweat and prevent body odor from causing a problem. First, it’s important to understand how sweat causes body odor in the first place.

How Sweat Causes Body Odor

Humans have two types of sweat glands: eccrine and apocrine. Eccrine glands cover most of the skin’s surface and are used to maintain thermoregulation by cooling the body in times of high heat. They produce sweat that is initially clear and odorless. Apocrine glands, on the other hand, are larger than eccrine glands and are located within hair follicles. They only appear on the armpits, groin, and areolas. Apocrine glands produce sweat that is thicker and yellowish. The sweat from apocrine glands is most often associated with body odor. This is because it is made up of fatty acids and proteins that bacteria on the skin metabolize. The byproducts that bacteria create, like isovaleric acid and androsterone, give off a strong, unpleasant smell that we recognize as body odor.[1]

Some people have conditions that make them sweat excessively or have especially stinky sweat that make dealing with sweat and body odor even more difficult. Hyperhidrosis is a condition that causes people to sweat in excess of what is needed by the body for thermoregulation. Depending on the type of hyperhidrosis they have, a person may sweat excessively from certain areas of the body at random times (primary focal hyperhidrosis) or they may sweat all over (secondary generalized hyperhidrosis). Unfortunately, due to their high volume of sweat production people with hyperhidrosis often also struggle with the odor it can cause. When someone has especially stinky sweat it is referred to as bromhidrosis. People with bromhidrosis have body odor that is significantly worse than the average person and it can be socially isolating. However, there are effective ways for people with hyperhidrosis and bromhidrosis to manage their sweat that can drastically reduce symptoms and improve quality of life.[3][4]

How to Stop Body Odor Caused by Sweat

There are several ways to stop the sweat. The most important, and most obvious way to reduce to body odor is to prevent it by having good basic hygiene. This means showering once a day, changing clothes every morning or after sweating significantly, and applying antiperspirant and deodorant as needed. Removing the bacteria and sweat from your skin prevents body odor from forming in the first place. Unfortunately, in the real world people don’t always have time to wash up every time they sweat a little bit, which is where the use of antiperspirant and deodorant come into play.

Antiperspirant and Deodorant

Many people do not realize what antiperspirant is and how it differs from deodorant. Antiperspirants are agents that can be applied to the skin which prevent the production of sweat. They are considered to be the first line treatment for people with hyperhidrosis and can be extremely helpful for anyone who deals with sweat and stink on a regular basis.[3] When it comes to choosing the right over-the-counter antiperspirant there are a lot of options. There are several companies like Carpe, Dove, SweatBlock, Certain Dri, and many more that offer options with different active ingredients and in different applicators. The FDA regulates the active ingredients in antiperspirant as it is considered to be a drug. There are different active ingredients, but most antiperspirant use some type of metallic salt to plug sweat glands and prevent sweat production. Most of the time antiperspirant comes in a stick, spray, or gel form which can be applied to the body. Some companies, like Carpe and SweatBlock, also sell antiperspirant lotions and wipes that can be especially helpful for those who struggle with sweaty hands and feet.

Deodorant is different from antiperspirant because it is made to mask any odors that are already present and kill bacteria on the skin to prevent them from producing more odor. There is no one best deodorant, but often combination products that contain both antiperspirant and deodorant are the most effective when combating body odor. Combination products are called antiperspirant deodorants.

Other Treatments

Aside from maintaining good hygiene and using antiperspirant and deodorant products there are a few things you can do to get rid of body odor caused by sweat. One other simple adjustment you can make is to wear fibers that are breathable, like organic cotton, or moisture wicking. There are some specific types of clothes that are best for people who struggle with excessive sweating. Finally, if all else fails, there are some medical treatments you could pursue.

A visit to your local dermatologist will give you a sense of what the best treatment options for you are, but here are a few ideas. If you struggle with excessive underarm sweating and smell you could try a local permanent procedure for axillary hyperhidrosis that stops your sweat glands in that area from being able to produce sweat. One example of this type of procedure is MiraDry. There are also prescription antiperspirants and antiperspirant wipes, called Qbrexza, that can help. There are many ways to manage sweat with and body odor with a doctor.

If you are struggling with sweat and body odor don’t give up because there are lots of treatments out there. Don’t let sweat be drain on your life!

Sources

1. Ramirez, A. (1990, August). All About/Deodorants; The Success of Sweet Smell. Late Edition. Retrieved March 7, 2019.
2. Huddle, J. R. (2014). Hyperhidrosis: Causes, Treatment Options and Outcomes. New York, NY: Nova Science.
3. Pariser, D. M. (2014). Hyperhidrosis (4th ed., Vol. 32). Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier.
4. Eshini, P., & Sinclair, R. (2013). Hyperhidrosis and bromhidrosis: A guide to assessment and management. Australian Family Physician, 42(5), 266-269. Retrieved March 7, 2019, from http://ezproxy.co.wake.nc.us/login?url=https://search.proquest.com/docview/1430424903?accountid=14867

Nearly 3% of the US population struggles with sweating that is so excessive it’s actually characterized as a medical disorder.[1] That’s a lot of people! Do you think you could be one of them? If you sweat frequently, especially from specific parts of your body, keep reading to find out more about this diaphoretic condition and what you can do to fix it.

The condition responsible for so many people’s excessive sweating is called primary focal hyperhidrosis (PFH). It might sound like a mouthful, but it describes a simple problem. People with the condition sweat too much. Most frequently they struggle with excessive sweating on their hands, feet, armpits, groin, and face.[1]

What is Primary Focal Hyperhidrosis?

Simply put, primary focal hyperhidrosis is a condition that causes the body to sweat in excess of what it needs to function properly. However, it is just one subtype of hyperhidrosis. There are several types of hyperhidrosis but the two most common types are primary focal hyperhidrosis and secondary generalized hyperhidrosis. An estimated 2.8% of the US population has primary focal hyperhidrosis, making it quite common. In fact, primary focal hyperhidrosis makes up 93% of all hyperhidrosis cases. Most of the time people are diagnosed with the primary focal type of hyperhidrosis when they meet the following criteria:

They experience excessive sweating on specific parts of the body including the hands, feet, armpits, face and groin.

Their sweating has no apparent cause.

They have been experiencing excessive sweating for longer than 6 months.

Their sweating occurs on both sides of their body.

Sweating is excessive enough to interfere with their daily life.[1]

Primary focal hyperhidrosis has several characteristics that make it different from the other types of the condition. One of the most distinct features of PFH is that it typically begins in adolescents and lasts for a lifetime. The onset of the disease usually occurs between the ages of 14 and 25. There is some indication, however, that primary focal hyperhidrosis may get better with age, as most people over the age of 65 have significantly reduced symptoms. People with PFH experience excessive sweating on specific areas of their body which is why it is called focal hyperhidrosis. Sweating is most often seen on the armpits, hands, feet, and face. Excessive sweating can occur in other areas of the body but it is unusual. The sweating that occurs with PFH is bilateral, meaning it occurs on both sides of the body, and it dissipates at night. People with the condition have at least one episode of excessive sweating per week, often daily, and the sweating is so severe that it impairs daily activities. While hyperhidrosis is not dangerous, it can have a negative impact on a person’s quality of life.[1]

What Causes It and Who Gets It?

This may be frustrating to hear, but scientists are not entirely sure how and why people get primary focal hyperhidrosis. It is thought that hyperhidrosis is hereditary as it appears to run in families. Researchers think that PFH is an autosomal dominant disorder, meaning that a child only needs to inherit the gene from one parent in order to get the condition.

It is suspected that cases of focal hyperhidrosis are often underreported due to embarrassment and social stigma. Unfortunately, many people who have hyperhidrosis also have anxiety due to the stress the condition adds to their lives. People between the ages of 14 and 25 with a family history of hyperhidrosis are at the highest risk of developing the disorder.[1] If you feel like you might have primary focal hyperhidrosis, please don’t let embarrassment keep you from reaching out for help.

The physical cause of hyperhidrosis, like other aspects of the condition, is not yet well understood. The most popular theory posits that it is a result of an overactive sympathetic nervous system. The autonomic nervous system controls unconscious bodily functions like breathing, digestion, and heart rate. It is divided into two parts, the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. The sympathetic nervous system is the branch of the autonomic nervous system that is responsible for activating the body, like the “flight or flight” response when appropriate. Sweat glands are innervated by the sympathetic nervous system, so when it is overly excited, sweat glands become overactive and produce more sweat than they should. Most researchers tend to believe that hyperhidrosis occurs due to a problem somewhere in the nervous system, but it will take more time and research to find a definitive answer.[2]

Hyperhidrosis and Quality of Life

Regrettably, primary focal hyperhidrosis is known to negatively affect a person’s quality of life, especially when it is untreated. This is because it can be a socially stigmatizing condition that interferes with multiple facets of life. This is a big issue that doctors, companies like Carpe, and other organizations are working hard to fix.

One survey of the US population demonstrated that about 50% of the people with hyperhidrosis suffered from axillary sweating and a third of these people reported that their symptoms were barely tolerable or intolerable. The same study revealed that only 38% of the people with hyperhidrosis ever spoke to their doctor about treatment options. This demonstrates that even though hyperhidrosis greatly impacts a person’s quality of life many people are too embarrassed to speak about it with a medical professional. This is unfortunate because there are many treatment options that can improve patients quality of life.[1]

Hyperhidrosis impacts a person’s quality of life in different ways depending on which area of their body is affected. The areas of life that are most affected by hyperhidrosis in general include a person’s emotional well-being, interpersonal relationships, leisure activities, personal hygiene, work, and self-esteem. However, which part of a person’s life that’s affected depends on what parts of their body is affected by excessive sweating. For example, a person with hyperhidrosis that affects their hands may have difficulty with manual activities like writing, playing musical instruments, or opening door knobs because of how much sweat they are constantly producing. Someone with axillary hyperhidrosis may struggle with constantly staining their clothes and having to wash frequently.

These types of issues often cause people to have lower self-esteem and to feel socially isolated. On top of that, people with hyperhidrosis often develop anxiety as a result of how the condition affects their lifestyle. Many times anxiety worsens the symptoms of hyperhidrosis and it creates a negative cycle in which anxiety and sweating are constantly making the other symptoms worse.[1] If you feel that this describes your situation, there are treatments that can help you sweat less so that you don’t feel as emotionally compromised by your condition.

Children With Hyperhidrosis

Although hyperhidrosis usually begins at the end of childhood, it can affect younger children. Estimates show that about 1.6% of adolescents struggle with excessive sweating and that .6% of prepubertal children are affected by hyperhidrosis. Unfortunately, children with hyperhidrosis frequently develop psychological and social distress if they are left untreated. If hyperhidrosis is caught early and treated, then many of the negative effects of the condition can be avoided. This is why early detection and management is so critical for children living with hyperhidrosis. While some treatments options are not available to children, many are. These options include the use of antiperspirants, some oral medications, iontophoresis, botox injections, and certain lifestyle modifications.[1]

Treatment Options

Currently, there is no cure for hyperhidrosis. However, there are many effective options that people can use to manage their sweat. The treatment a patient receives depends on where their sweating is the worst. Here are the treatment options available for each body region affected by PFH:

Treatments for axillary (armpit) hyperhidrosis:Over-the-counter and prescription antiperspirants, botox injections, local permanent surgical procedures, Qbrexza, oral medications, or a surgery called endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy.

Treatments for sweaty hands:Antiperspirants, iontophoresis, oral medications, and botox injections. People with severe palmar (hand) hyperhidrosis can get a surgical procedure called endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy.

Treatments for sweaty feet:Antiperspirants, iontophoresis, oral medications, and botox injections. There is a similar procedure for plantar (foot) hyperhidrosis called endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy but can be risky and most doctors don’t recommend it.

Treatments for craniofacial hyperhidrosis:Antiperspirants, oral medications, botox injections, or possibly surgery.

Each treatment has its own risks and benefits. Antiperspirant use, for example, has very little risk compared to one of the more invasive procedures, like endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy. Surgery to correct excessive sweating can lead to the development of serious complications, like compensatory sweating, that might deter some patients from choosing it. This is why it is critical for patients to discuss their options with a doctor so that they can make the most informed decision about their medical treatment for their own individual circumstances. The solution that will work for you is highly individual and it will depend on your medical situation, personal preferences, and your doctor’s advice. With the right treatment most people see a significant improvement in the quality of life so it is worth it to try and figure out what works for you.[1]

The treatments discussed above are established therapies that have been around for a significant amount of time, but there are new treatments being developed every year. For example, in late 2018, a new product called Qbrexza came out. It is a wipe that uses topical Glycopyrronium Tosylate to prevent and lessen axillary sweating.[3] There are also different types of laser therapies being developed that may be able to stop sweat glands from producing excessive amounts of sweat.[1] As time goes on treatments will become more accessible for everyone, and hopefully, hyperhidrosis will have a less profound impact on those who have to deal with it.

Sources

1. Pariser, D. M. (2014). Hyperhidrosis (4th ed., Vol. 32). Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier. Retrieved from https://www.elsevier.com/books/hyperhidrosis-an-issue-of-dermatologic-clinics/pariser/978-0-323-32607-0
2. Huddle, J. R. (2014). Hyperhidrosis: Causes, Treatment Options and Outcomes. New York, NY: Nova Science. Retrieved from https://www.bookdepository.com/Hyperhidrosis-Janine-R-Huddle/9781633215160
3. Qbrexza. (2018). Retrieved September 26, 2018, from https://dermira.com/our-medicines/>https://dermira.com/our-medicines/>https://dermira.com/our-medicines/>https://dermira.com/our-medicines/>https://dermira.com/our-medicines/>https://dermira.com/our-medicines/>https://dermira.com/our-medicines/

Hyperhidrosis causes the body to sweat in excess of what it needs for thermoregulation, which means that the body is generating more sweat to regulate its internal temperature than is needed. Luckily, the excessive sweating caused by hyperhidrosis is not dangerous to your physical health. However, dealing with hyperhidrosis symptoms can be emotionally damaging and, in some cases, hyperhidrosis can be a sign of something more sinister.

When Hyperhidrosis Indicates a Serious Health Problem

How you get hyperhidrosis often indicates whether it is indicative of a deeper issue. If you suddenly develop symptoms of hyperhidrosis after the age of 25, your sweating occurs mainly at night, and you sweat all over your body you may have secondary generalized hyperhidrosis. This type of hyperhidrosis can indicate an underlying health issue as some diseases and conditions can cause secondary hyperhidrosis. Some of the diseases that cause diaphoresis (sudden, unexplained excessive sweating) can also cause pallor and other symptoms to appear at the same time. These disesases include certain cancers, tuberculosis, HIV, hyperthyroidism, and several others. These diseases are certainly bad for your health, so anyone who suddenly begins experiencing excessive sweating in adulthood should manage their hyperhidrosis with a doctor. However, secondary generalized hyperhidrosis is most commonly caused by a medication or drug side effect and it can be caused by benign health conditions, so don’t panic. If hyperhidrosis develops between the ages of 14 and 25 and only affects specific areas of your body, you probably have primary focal hyperhidrosis.[1]

The Effects of Primary Focal Hyperhidrosis That Take a Toll on Your Health

Most people with hyperhidrosis, 93% according to one medical review, have primary focal hyperhidrosis. This type usually begins during the teenage years or in very early adulthood and it is a lifelong condition. People with this type of hyperhidrosis have excessive sweating on particular parts of their body which most often includes the hands, feet, underarms, and face. Primary focal hyperhidrosis is not bad for your physical health directly, but it can be detrimental to your emotional wellbeing. Hyperhidrosis and anxiety often occur together because of the socially stigmatizing effect hyperhidrosis has on people. In fact, people with primary focal hyperhidrosis report that is causes issues in their interpersonal relationships, leisure activities, personal hygiene, work, and self-esteem. When someone struggles emotionally, or feels significantly stressed out, it can have a profound effect on their body as well as their mind. Stress sweating can make these problems even more pronounced, as it causes a cycle where someone is stressed, they sweat more as a result, and become even more stressed.[1]

Most impairments caused by hyperhidrosis relate to the body regions that are affected. For example, someone with palmar (hand) hyperhidrosis may feel extreme embarrassment when shaking another person’s hand. The issues become even more tangible when someone with palmar hyperhidrosis drops something made of glass or sustains electrical shocks when using electronics because they are sweating so profusely. People with axillary hyperhidrosis are often restricted in the type of clothing they can comfortably wear. When someone has plantar hyperhidrosis they may even develop skin infections or athlete’s foot when wearing socks or shoes that are constricting for a long period of time. These are all examples of ways that hyperhidrosis makes life difficult for someone with hyperhidrosis, and these struggles can greatly impact quality of life. It can be so devastating that some patients resort to surgery to treat primary focal hyperhidrosis called endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy. Thankfully, many patients are able to obtain a better quality of life after receiving treatment. There is no cure for hyperhidrosis, but there are effective treatments for sweaty hands, sweaty feet, and treatments for axillary hyperhidrosis. Antiperspirant is usually the first-line treatment for hyperhidrosis, but some people have had conerns about whether antiperspirant is safe. There is no point in persuing a treatment that is detrimental to your health but, luckily, no studies have found that antiperspirants are dangerous to use.[1]

If you have hyperhidrosis, you can improve your quality of life and improve your health by learning how to manage your hyperhidrosis. You don’t have to let hyperhidrosis dictate how healthy you are emotionally or physically.

Sources

1. Pariser, D. M. (2014). Hyperhidrosis (4th ed., Vol. 32). Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier.

There are two main types of hyperhidrosis: primary focal hyperhidrosis and secondary generalized hyperhidrosis. How you get hyperhidrosis depends on which type you have. Primary focal hyperhidrosis seems to be caused by heredity and a mix of other less understood factors, while secondary generalized hyperhidrosis is caused by either a medication, a physiological condition, or a disease.

Primary focal hyperhidrosis is thought to be hereditary; someone with hyperhidrosis gets it from their parents due to their genetics. Somewhere between 30% and 65% of people with hyperhidrosis have a positive family history, meaning they have relatives with the disorder. Scientists have found even stronger evidence that genetics cause palmar (hand) hyperhidrosis and plantar (foot) hyperhidrosis.[1] It is thought to be an autosomal dominant condition which means that a person only has to inherit the gene from one parent to get hyperhidrosis. It is not know whether other factors in a person’s life can make them more or less likely to develop the disease.[2] Primary focal hyperhidrosis is often referred to as “idiopathic” which means that a disease occurs suddenly for an unknown reason. So, for the most part, we do not know why some people get primary focal hyperhidrosis. Interestingly, people with hyperhidrosis have sweat glands that are morphologically the same as the average person and they have the same number of sweat glands.[1] Scientists suspect that hyperhidrosis is caused by issues in the sympathetic nervous system, a branch of the autonomic nervous system, that is used by the body to activate the “fight or flight” response. It is thought that the sympathetic nervous system of people with hyperhidrosis is overactive which causes them to have overactive sweat glands.[3] This is a simplified explanation of the disease process as it is more complicated and deals with many aspects of the nervous system.

It is much easier to explain how people get secondary generalized hyperhidrosis. This type of hyperhidrosis is caused by medication or secondary hyperhidrosis can be caused by a disease or physiological condition. The most common reason people develop secondary hyperhidrosis is as a side effect of a medication. Several common medications like antidepressants, painkillers (OTC and prescription), thyroid medication, allergy medications, heart and blood pressure medications, and more have hyperhidrosis as a potential side effect. Withdrawal from certain medications can also cause some people to experience excessive sweating. Hyperhidrosis can also result from alcohol intoxication or withdrawal. Caffeine can also affect hyperhidrosis, but it is not known to be an independant cuase of the condition. Sometimes, a physiological condition like pregnancy, menopause, or a fever can cause hyperhidrosis. Other times the cause of hyperhidrosis is pathological as diseases like specific cancers, hyperthyroidism, tuberculosis, HIV, endocarditis, autonomic dysreflexia, and others cause excessive sweating.[1]

Overall, it is quite easy to develop hyperhidrosis. You can get it from genetics, unknown factors, medications, drugs, normal physiological conditions, and even diseases. With upwards of 3% of the population suffering from hyperhidrosis this is not surprising.[1]

Sources

1. Schlereth, T. (2009). Hyperhidrosis-causes and treatment of enhanced sweating. Deutsches Aerzteblatt International, 106(3). Retrieved November 27, 2018.
2. Pariser, D. M. (2014). Hyperhidrosis (4th ed., Vol. 32). Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier.
3. Huddle, J. R. (2014). Hyperhidrosis: Causes, Treatment Options and Outcomes. New York, NY: Nova Science.

What is Secondary Generalized Hyperhidrosis?

When a person has hyperhidrosis it means that they experience excessive sweating of some kind. Specifically, secondary generalized hyperhidrosis refers to hyperhidrosis symptoms that are secondary to another factor that causes the hyperhidrosis. Secondary hyperhidrosis is also reffered to as diapehoresis, sudden unexplained excessive sweating, in the medical community. People with this type of hyperhidrosis experience excessive sweating all over their body, not just in a particular area or distribution. It is the second most common type of hyperhidrosis; one review of hyperhidrosis patients found that only 7% of hyperhidrosis cases were caused by secondary generalized hyperhidrosis. Secondary generalized hyperhidrosis tends to begin after the age of 25, although it can have an earlier age of onset. The sweating caused by secondary generalized hyperhidrosis can occur symmetrically on both sides of the body, or less commonly, it can occur on only one side. It’s symptoms are typically worse at night and many patients with the condition experience night sweats. The most important feature of secondary generalized hyperhidrosis, however, is that it has a specific cause. The causes of this type of hyperhidrosis can be bad for you health, so it is important to seek out medical attention.[1]

The Causes of Secondary Generalized Hyperhidrosis

There are several potential causes of excessive sweating related to secondary generalized hyperhidrosis, some of which are benign while others are more dangerous. It is important for anyone with this condition to manage their hyperhidrosis with a doctor so that they can determine its cause. Secondary generalized hyperhidrosis is most commonly caused by certain medicines or drugs, as either a side effect or a symptom of withdrawal. Some of the medications that are most likely to cause hyperhidrosis are antidepressants, antiglycemic agents, cholinergics, antipyretics, and several others. Alcohol can also cause hyperhidrosis as either a side effect of intoxication or as a symptom of withdrawal. The good news is that when a person stops a medication that is causing hyperhidrosis the symptoms will go away completely.[1]

Certain diseases and physiologic conditions can also cause secondary generalized hyperhidrosis, and it can sometimes be a sign of a larger problem. Some of the physiological conditions that can cause hyperhidrosis are pregnancy, menopause, fever, and excessive heat. These are all normal conditions that happen to people, especially women, over the course of a lifetime and they are not dangerous. In most cases hyperhidrosis is not dangerous, but secondary generalized hyperhidrosis can be indicative of a larger medical issue. This is especially true if a disease is causing diaphoresis and pallor at the same time. Some of the pathological causes of hyperhidrosis include malignancy (cancer), carcinoid syndrome, hyperthyroidism, tuberculosis, HIV, endocarditis, and many other diseases. If someone suddenly develops secondary generalized hyperhidrosis, as is most often the case, then they need to manage their hyperhidrosis with a doctor to determine whether they are suffering from a damaging condition.[1]

How to Get Rid of Secondary Generalized Hyperhidrosis

Luckily, secondary generalized hyperhidrosis is easily treatable. In most cases, once the causative agent is removed or dealt with the excessive sweating will stop. This means discontinuing any medications or drugs that cause hyperhidrosis or treating an underlying condition that is causing it. In some situations, a person might not be able to stop a medication that is causing excessive sweating. For example, a patient with a severe psychological condition that has only responded to one particular medication can’t reasonably stop their treatment. In this case, a person can choose to deal with the excessive sweating or use an oral medication to treat hyperhidrosis.[1]

Are you worried that you might have hyperhidrosis? Take this simple test to find out.

Sources

1. Pariser, D. M. (2014). Hyperhidrosis (4th ed., Vol. 32). Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier.

Humans sweat for a reason, sweating is a physiological process the body uses to cool itself down and maintain its internal temperature, which is called thermoregulation. However, some people have conditions that cause them to sweat too much or not enough due to various physiological issues. It is called hyperhidrosis when a person sweats in excess of what is needed by the body to maintain thermoregulation. This just means that a person is sweating more than is useful for the body. Hyperhidrosis itself is not dangerous, but the underlying issues that cause it can be. There are two main types of hyperhidrosis, primary focal hyperhidrosis and secondary generalized hyperhidrosis. Primary focal hyperhidrosis develops when a person is younger and is not dangerous. However, it does cause both physiological and psychological problems for people that can greatly impact their quality of life. Secondary generalized hyperhidrosis comes on suddenly in adulthood and it can be an indication that someone is unwell.[1]

Secondary generalized hyperhidrosis can indicate a serious underlying health issue and this type of hyperhidrosis needs to be managed by a doctor. Most often, secondary hyperhidrosis is caused by a medication side effect. In this case a patient can choose to stop the medication or use an oral medication to treat hyperhidrosis symptoms if going off of their medicine is not an option. Sometimes however, there is a physiological condition or disease that is causing hyperhidrosis, and it is very important to have it checked out by a doctor. Some conditions that cause secondary hyperhidrosis, like pregnancy, are not medically dire, but some are. Cancers, like lymphoma, and infections, like tuberculosis, can cause excessive sweating so someone who suddenly develops secondary hyperhidrosis needs to seek medical attention. In most instances excessive sweating is caused by a medication or a benign medical condition, but it is important to have it checked out.[1]

Primary focal hyperhidrosis is not physically dangerous, but it can be bad for your health in general, and cause some physical issues if it is not well managed. Excessive sweating can make it difficult to maintain cleanliness, make it more likely for someone to develop a skin infection, and can destroy a person’s clothing. Hyperhidrosis has a larger impact on a person’s quality of life, and this is how it does the most damage. People with hyperhidrosis often struggle with anxiety due to the effect it has on their lives. It can be an extremely embarrassing condition and it can cause people to lose out on experiences they would have otherwise enjoyed. Many people with hyperhidrosis find that it impacts several aspects of their daily lives including intimate relationships, leisure activities, personal hygiene, work, and self-esteem. The effect hyperhidrosis has on a person’s quality of life should not be underestimated. It is just as important to seek treatment for the psychological aspects of the disease as the physical. Luckily, there are several effective treatment options that can help people with hyperhidrosis improve their quality of life. Specifically, botox treatment for axillary hyperhidrosis and a surgical procedure for primary focal hyperhidrosis, called endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy, have shown that they significantly improve patients quality of life. This is especially true when someone suffers from severe hyperhidrosis. There are many other treatments for sweaty hands and feet, and axillary hyperhidrosis, that can also improve patient’s symptoms and their quality of life. There has been some question about whether antiperspirant is safe and, so far, no studies have found negative health outcomes for those who use aluminum based antiperspirant.[1]

Sources

1. Pariser, D. M. (2014). Hyperhidrosis (4th ed., Vol. 32). Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier.