Excessive sweating, or hyperhidrosis, is a condition characterized by unnecessary or overabundant sweat production that is not warranted by environmental circumstances or physical activity.
For example, if you walk a few yards from your office building to your car on a cool day when you are experiencing no anxiety and end up dripping sweat by the time you've reached your vehicle, you may be experiencing hyperhidrosis.
Types of Excessive Sweating
Hyperhidrosis may affect any body area with sweat glands and can be categorized into 2 types:
- Primary focal hyperhidrosis - excessive sweating in focused, specific body areas
- Secondary general hyperhidrosis - excessive sweating in various unspecific body areas
Primary hyperhidrosis conditions are classified in four categories based on which body area they affect, including axillary (underarms), palmar (hands), plantar (feet), and truncal (torso) hyperhidrosis.
Causes of Excessive Sweating
Excessive sweating may occur in patients who have abnormally large sweat glands, as well as those who are genetically predisposed to the condition.
Certain medications, thyroid and metabolic disorders and hormone changes associated with menopause and pregnancy may also cause hyperhidrosis.
Treatment for Excessive Sweating
Sometimes, treating the underlying medical cause of your excessive sweating problem may be the best solution, such as in situations where excessive sweating is caused by a thyroid condition or other medical problem.
Prescription antiperspirant products containing aluminum chloride may help control excessive sweating but must be applied daily. Botox injections may be prescribed to treat excessive sweating, as the neurotoxin in Botox can temporarily reduce sweat gland activity for a few months.
The longest-lasting solution for excessive sweating is surgery, which involves surgical removal of sweat glands or severing the chest nerve that stimulates excessive sweating.
Would you like to learn more about Hyperhidrosis Treatment? Call 212-772-7242 to schedule a consultation at Sadick Dermatology.
