Hyperhidrosis
Hyperhidrosis, excessive sweat or excessive sweating, produces a lot of embarrassment and unhappiness.
What Is Hyperhidrosis?
Hyperhidrosis, excessive sweat or excessive sweating, produces a lot of embarrassment and unhappiness.
Primary hyperhidrosis occurs in otherwise healthy individuals with no apparent cause. Secondary hyperhidrosis is much less common and can be due to certain drugs, a variety of serious systemic diseases, neurological disorders, facial surgery and anxiety. Underarm problems tend to start around puberty, while palm and sole sweating may begin earlier, often during childhood. Untreated, these problems may continue throughout life.
Hyperhidrosis Facts
Hyperhidrosis or excessive sweating, is a common disorder.
It can be localized to a particular anatomical area or may be diffuse, involving much of the skin.
Axillary hyperhidrosis is excess sweating of the underarms.
Palm plantar hyperhidrosis is excess sweating of the palms and soles.
Hyperhidrosis usually occurs in people who are otherwise healthy.
This condition is treatable and those affected can expect significant improvement.
What Is The Cause Of Excessive Sweating?
Healthy people with excessive sweating have primary hyperhidrosis. Heat and emotions may trigger hyperhidrosis in some, but many who suffer from hyperhidrosis perspire nearly all the time, regardless of their mood or the weather.
Secondary hyperhidrosis can be caused by medications such as dopamine agonists, antidepressants, antipsychotics, alcohol, and insulin. Systemic disorders such as diabetes mellitus, hyperthyroidism, Parkinson’s disease and tumors such as pheochromocytoma and lymphoma have been associated with secondary hyperhidrosis.
Medical Treatment For Excessive Sweating?
Botulinum toxin, has actually been used in many areas of medicine for some time, such as in the treatment of muscle spasms and certain types of headaches. Its latest medical use is for treating excessive underarm sweating.
Anti-wrinkle is injected into tissues of the armpit or hand. The drug works by inhibiting the release of acetylcholine, which is the chemical that activates sweat glands. This may produce approximately six months of relief from sweating. The injections are uncomfortable, but use of a very small needle minimizes discomfort.
Now that this treatment option has received FDA approval, many health insurers are providing coverage for the injections and the Anti-wrinkle therapy itself, which is quite costly.
