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Hyperhidrosis - The Basics

By: Jack Smith Normal sweating is the body's way of lowering its temperature. Sometimes, however, the body sweats in excess of what is needed for normal cooling; This is called Hyperhydrosis.

It is uncertain what exactly causes this excessive sweating, it could be the over activity of the sympathetic nervous chain or the sweat glands themselves. What we do know however, is that the sympathetic nervous system is responsible for mediating the secretion of sweat from the sweat glans.

Since the sympathetic nervous system is controlled sub-consciously, it can be difficult to treat Hyperhidrosis. In mild cases simple antiperspirant and/or deodorant is sufficient. Drioff deodorant and Drioff gel along with Maxim antiperspirant are effective brands. In more extreme cases; surgery, botox injections, antiestrogens, aluminum chloride and other miscellaneous excessive sweating remedies are needed. One very effective agent appears to be aluminum chloride (20-25%) in 70-90% alcohol, applied in the evening 2-3 times/week. If sweating extends beyond the hairy portion of the axilla, surgery may be the best remedy. As with all surgery procedures of this type, formation of hypertrophic and/or constrictive scars can occur.

In many cases other medical conditions create symptoms similar to Hyperhydrosis; This is called Secondary Hyperhydrosis. In all of these cases the underlying condition should be treated first. Conditions like Hyperthyroidism or similar endocrine diseases can cause the excessive perspiration. People with early HIV often have overactive sweat glands. Prostatic cancer victims find sweating to be a common problem, however relief for this problem is commonly treated with an anti-estrogen. (ciproterone acetate). Drug, alcohol and prescription drug abuse can also result in secondary hyperhydrosis. Obesity is a major cause of excessive underarm sweating and excessive head sweating. Nervousness and anxiety can elicit or aggravate sweating and severe psychiatric disorders can also cause severe sweating but is only rarely the cause of the disorder. Women during menopause sometimes develop the condition as well. What ever the cause of the condition, in nearly all cases it is possible to find remedy and relief.

Approximately 1% of the population is effected by this condition. For most people, sweating isn't that big of a deal, but in many cases of hyperhydrosis, very severe sweating results in huge underarm stains and constant sweating hands. Excessive head sweating often soaks the neck and collar of the shirt and in the elderly can result in chills that lead to pneumonia. Plantar hyperhidrosis is the excessive sweating of the feet and leads to moist socks and shoes as well as increased foot odor. These symptoms can have a major social impact on the persons life. Often people are very embarrassed about the excessive sweating problem, sometimes too embarrassed to see the doctor about the problem until they have exhausted every home remedy for sweating.