Hyperhidrosis is a chronic medical condition characterized by excessive sweating. While its real cause continue to challenge medical researchers, its symptoms often manifest either during childhood or adolescence. Surprisingly, about 40% of hyperhidrosis patients share the same problem with their families. As it appears, the role of genes in this respect is far too significant for medical professionals not to explore heredity and its contribution to understanding the etiology of hyperhidrosis.

Given that a majority of hyperhidrosis patients may have been suffering from it since their early years, a few lucky ones may experience spontaneous relief from its symptoms by the time they reach adulthood. While for most of them, symptoms of hyperhidrosis is a permanent cause of social embarrassment and physical discomfort.

Excessive sweating can either affect the whole body (generalized sweating) or it can be limited to specific body areas where the active eccrine sweat glands are found (localized sweating). Some of the sweat prone areas of the body are the palms, soles, armpit, groin and chest. It can cause the affected skin to appear pink or blue-white, macerated, cracked, or scaly – more so if it involves the palms (palmar hyperhidrosis) and soles (plantar hyperhidrosis).

Sweating is a natural and involuntary body response controlled by the sympathetic nervous system to cool the body. Various stimuli such as heightened emotions (anger, fear, stress, or anxiety) and increased physical activity, make one susceptible to and experience hyperhidrosis symptoms. Likewise, exposure to certain chemicals like nicotine and caffeine (found in foods, drinks, cigarettes, etc.) triggers the production of sweat. However, hyperhidrosis symptoms occur almost spontaneously that even without these stimuli, or perhaps even with the slightest experience of any of these factors, patients sweat profusely.

Hyperactivity of either the sympathetic nerves or eccrine sweat glands is generally accepted as the physiological explanation for excessive sweat production. The reason why they become over-activated is still unknown.

Degree of sweating in hyperhidrosis cases varies from person to person. Most patients can tolerate mild to moderate symptoms.  On the other hand, severe cases are very much a cause of embarrassment and distress especially when their condition does not only bring physical discomfort, but also when it already becomes socially disabling. It is especially alarming when their condition is already taking a heavy toll on their normal daily activities. Patients, for instance, may find it extremely difficult to perform an otherwise very simple job-related task such as typing on the computer keyboard, or holding papers and documents. Some, whose palms are often damp or dripping wet, even hesitate to shake hands. It is not at all surprising if, in the long run, they begin to avoid people rather than suffer from social embarrassment.

Considering the tremendous impact of hyperhidrosis and its symptoms to the lives of a significant number of the affected population, only appropriate medical treatments and interventions should be given to those finding temporary or long-term relief from their condition.