Hyperhidrosis, also known as excessive sweating, is when you sweat too much in situations not related to heat or exercise. The sweating can affect all areas of your body, or be concentrated in specific areas such as the armpits, palms and feet. This is often embarrassing and distressing especially in social situations. While excessive sweating does not pose a risk to your health, it can affect your quality of life. Luckily, there are treatments for hyperhidrosis that can solve the issue.
Causes:
Hyperhidrosis has two forms: primary and secondary. Primary hyperhidrosis has no medical cause and often runs in families. The excessive sweating is due to overactive sweat glands in the palms, soles and underarms. If the sweating is due to an underlying medical condition or taking certain medications, we refer to it as secondary hyperhidrosis. Addressing and treating the medical condition can resolve the sweating issues in some cases. Health conditions that can cause excessive sweating include diabetes, leukemia and menopause.
Complications can arise from hyperhidrosis: sweating too much can lead to skin infections. If left untreated, the condition is likely to persist through the person’s life, which can affect mental health and social well-being. That is why many people turn to treatments to eliminate or reduce the issue.
Treatments:
Treatment for hyperhidrosis starts with a professional consultation with a doctor. The doctor will conduct a physical exam, and ask specific questions to understand the cause of excessive sweating. Sometimes medical testing may be necessary, as well as tests to detect an underlying condition. Treatment then can include anti-perspirants, prescription cloth wipes, and Botox injections. At our medical center, we have excellent results with using Botox to treat excessive sweating. If this issue is a concern for you, contact us to explore your options for treatment.
Read our previous blog post on skin pigmentation here.
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