Hyperhidrosis Causes
Most of us experience sweating in the palms, feet and armpits. Producing sweat is almost a part of our daily lives. We treat this phenomenon as normal, sometimes unaware of the times that we produce excessive amounts of sweat. This is the primary symptom of hyperhidrosis. It is usually characterized by producing perspiration greater than the amount the body needed for thermal regulation. At first, we tend to disregard it, until we start feeling sticky in the armpits and our palms stay wet even while at rest. Soon, this uncomfortable condition begins to intrude into and affect your social life. It is probably the right time you knew more about excessive sweating or hyperhidrosis.
According to some studies, 3% of the total population suffers from hyperhidrosis. Most sufferers notice excessive sweating on specific parts of the body such as the underarms (axillary hyperhidrosis), face (facial hyperhidrosis) and feet (planar hyperhidrosis). As you see, sweating on these parts of the body is very common to most of us. We tend to be blind and treat this as normal, not knowing that it is already a symptom of hyperhidrosis. It is not widely known that such a disorder is a very serious medical condition that requires proper diagnosis and treatment.
Hyperhidrosis occurs when there is an abnormal response from the sweat nerves. A part of the brain called hypothalamus is responsible in sending the sensory signals to the sweat nerves. The hypothalamus is located in the chest cavity. The sweat nerves, as a part of the sympathetic nervous system, in turn throws signals to the sweat glands which results to producing sweat. When the signals violate the sending and response process, hyperhidrosis occurs. The sweat glands begin to produce excessive amount of sweats, and this liquid will seek outlets on your underarms, face, palms and feet, resulting to unwanted perspiration in such parts of our body.
We cannot purely blame all this to the uneven responses of our sweat nerves, however. There are a lot of factors contributing to why we perspire so much. By doing intense jobs and heavy activities such as vigorous exercise, we can expel extra liquid in our body. Our emotions can also trigger to generate sweat. Sweating stabilizes the corporal body temperature, especially when doing such activities.
Our skin glands are also the primary factor why hyperhidrosis occurs. Our skin has two kinds of glands: the apocrines and the eccrines. The apocrines do not contribute much in the regultation of body temperature. Basically, these glands can be found in the hair follicle and are not involved in the process of hyperhidrosis. The gland eccrines, on the other hand, is the major contributor for the hyperhidrosis. The increased secretion of the gland eccrines is the cause of such abnormalities. Eccrines are more concentrated in parts of the body such as the armpits, feet, palms, and are very important in regulating the body temperature.
Hyperhidrosis can be primary or secondary. Primary Hyperhidrosis has no specific origin. This is the most common type of hyperhidrosis and is attributed to a genetic factor. Everybody has the tendency to acquire primary hyperhidrosis, and this commonly manifests during the earlier stages of the person’s life. Secondary hyperhidrosis, on the other hand, is an acquired disorder due to an associated cause such as obesity, menopause and the use of antidepressive drugs.
Other factors such excess taking of drugs can cause sweating. Intakes of aspirin and acetaminophen, morphine, excess of the thyroid hormones, lack of feminine hormones during menopausal stage, testosterone deficit for men, and low rate of sugar in the blood can incite hyperhidrosis.
Hyperhidrosis Acupuncture
Sweating is a natural and healthy occurrence; however, excessive perspiration can occur and affects around three percent of the population. Some consider the life with Hyperhidrosis a nightmare and can cause considerable distress personally and socially. Acupuncture may offer an option to those suffering from excessive perspiration or what is medically known as Hyperhidrosis .
Hyperhidrosis is defined as sweating beyond normal limits needed to keep the body cool. The most commonly affected areas include the hands, the soles of the feet, and the armpits (axilla). It has two forms namely, primary and secondary Hyperhidrosis . It is not known what the exact etiology of primary Hyperhidrosis is – however, the excessive sweating has something to do with the sweat glands of the body overreacting to either the body’s temperature or emotional stress, or even both. Another explanation is that it is a result of an excessive cholinergic stimulation of the eccrine glands. It usually starts during adolescence or even before, and seems to be an inherited as an autosomal dominant genetic trait. In contrast to the primary Hyperhidrosis , the cause of secondary Hyperhidrosis can be attributed to several medical conditions such as Panic Attacks, Anxiety Disorders, Hyperthyroidism, Hypothyroidism, Cancer and Tumors, Menopause and Obesity.
Treatment options are available and abundant; though some are a bit extreme such as surgery; other treatment regimens are natural, such as acupuncture. The use of acupuncture to treat Hyperhidrosis has been said to be successful. Sweat is considered a key factor in identifying disharmony in the body and is identified as a fundamental substance in Chinese medical text. Chinese medicine is often overlooked by western medicine; however, it is interesting to note that there is an alternative aside from radical surgery and drugs.
Acupuncture is considered to be one of the oldest and most commonly used procedures in the world. It is thought to be more than 2,000 years old. It is a family of techniques of inserting and manipulating filiform needles into specific points on the body. It involves penetrating the skin with thin, solid, metallic needles that are manipulated by the hands or by electrical stimulation. It became popular in the United States in 1971, when James Reston, a New York Times Reporter, wrote about how doctors in China used needles to ease his pain after surgery. It is thought that around this time Hyperhidrosis Acupuncture was also introduced to western society. It stimulates points in the body thought to be directly related to excessive sweating. The American practice of acupuncture incorporates several medical traditions which include those of China, Japan, and, Korea.
Is it painful? Questions on pain are legitimate questions especially when it deals with needles. People can experience hyperhidrosis acupuncture differently. There are those that go through Hyperhidrosis acupuncture with little or no pain at all for long as the treatment is going on. Some even report to be more energized because of the treatment, while others feel relaxed. Problems can occur though and may be due to a variety of reasons. Improper needle placement, excessive movement of the patient, or defects in the needle can cause soreness and pain during the treatment. This is the very reason why it’s important to seek treatment from a qualified hyperhidrosis acupuncture practitioner or a certified practitioner from a qualified body. For instance, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved hyperhidrosis acupuncture needles for use by licensed practitioners since 1996. Aside from approving qualified personnel, the FDA requires the use of sterile, nontoxic needles and that they are labeled for single use only. The dangers of ill-trained practitioners or unlicensed ones include infections, bleeding, and puncturing organs. Complications can also result from inadequate sterilization and improper delivery of treatment.
Excessive Sweating Remedies
Shaving. One of the most bothersome effects of excessive sweating is body odor. The smell increases because of the presence of hair in the armpits. Sweat accumulates and dries up around the hair, magnifying the odor that emitted by the body. But where does the strong stench come from? The strong odor is due to the release of toxins by bacteria. The bacteria are there because the conditions in a sweaty armpit encourage its multiplication. By removing the hair in the armpits with the use of a razor, one effectively controls excessive sweating and significantly reduces his chance at body odor. The underarms will also feel less sticky and more comfortable. When used with other methods, shaving gives great relief from excessive sweating.
Personal Hygiene and Showering. Taking a bath at least once a day can help one in the reduction of excessive sweating and bad odor. People with hyperhidrosis, or people who suffer from an abnormally increased perspiration beyond the required for body thermoregulation, may need to take a bath at least three to four times in a day. In addition, sufferers who also don’t shave their armpit hairs choose to take bath more than once a day to combat bad odor. With the use of a good antibacterial soap, one can also prevent the growth of bacteria around the body and reduce body odor. Choosing the right antibacterial soap is simply a matter of preference – just make sure to use fresh water and dry yourself with a clean cloth. For sufferers, it’s advisable to use a clean and fresh towel after every shower.
Use Natural Fibers. The material we use for our clothes can contribute to the smells we emit. For individuals suffering from excessive sweating, natural fibers like linen, cotton and wool is advisable. These natural fibers allow the flow of air and helps in the evaporation process, thus helping to control sweating. Tight clothing, especially skin tight ones, can make one sweat more is not advisable for those suffering from excessive sweating. It would also help to provide sufficient space surrounding the armpit area to allow good air circulation. Clothes made of polyester and other synthetic fibers can block the free flow of air and increase perspiration, so individuals suffering from excessive sweating should avoid them.
Drinking Water. Aside from preventing possible dehydration, water can replace what the body loses through excessive sweating. As one sweats, water and other essential minerals are lost from the body and must be replenished. Drinking more water will keep toxin levels at much lower levels, giving bacteria less tendency to thrive. To get an idea if you’re drinking enough water, check your urine. If your urine is colorless and odorless on a continual basis, then it means your water consumption levels are ideal.
Using Baking Soda. Baking soda can function as a natural underarm perspiration protection. It acts as a deodorant, but is much less likely to cause less irritation or allergies to sensitive skin than commercial deodorants. It is a great moisture absorber and can suppress bad odor. It is important to note that the use of baking soda is only applicable over an armpit that is dry and shaved, so the first tip in this article still has to come into play.
These days we prefer natural remedies over chemicals or drugs. This is very ideal to those people who wish to control underarm sweating without taking chances with products with funny-sounding ingredients. If the natural remedies mentioned do not solve the problem effectively enough, they may be used together with other methods available to control excessive underarm sweating.
Hyperhidrosis Antiperspirant
Hyperhidrosis is a condition characterized by sweating much more than the body needs for thermal regulation. This is a disorder experienced by both men and women after adolescent stage. All parts of the body may be affected by hyperhidrosis, especially the feet, palms and armpits. Three percent of the American population is believed to be affected by hyperhidrosis. Most patients claim that deodorants and other commercial non-medical antiperspirants are not good enough in helping them with their problem
So, before it becomes a real threat to everybody, some healthcare companies produce antiperspirants in attempts to mitigate the effects of hyperhidrosis. If you are one of the sufferers of hyperhidrosis there are a lot of ways to manage such disorder. This website will feature different antiperspirant products that are very helpful in dealing with excessive sweating. All these antiperspirants can effectively decrease the sweat production from the eccrine and apocrine sweat glands. Here are some hyperhidrosis antiperspirant products recommended by doctors and physicians.
Most physicians recommend Maxim, as it has a customized formula for hyperhidrosis effective enough to impede the excessive perspiration. It is distributed by CORAD Healthcare, Inc and Maxim is their trademark product. One bottle can last an individual up to 2 or 3 months, depending on the frequency of use. This product has been developed exclusively for excessive sweating and hyperhidrosis, and treats the medical condition quite effectively.
Another featured antiperspirant is Odaban. It is considered to be the safest and the most effective way in dealing with hyperhidrosis. Its credibility has been proven for more than 35 years, and no other antiperspirant product can offer higher standards in terms of its formulation, method of manufacture, and unique dispensing mechanism. This product offers expediency and is very economical. People all over the world, suffering from hyperhydrosis or not, claims that Odaban is one of the best antiperspirant products out there.
Drysol is also an effective antiperspirant. It contains 20% aluminum chloride in anhydrous ethyl alcohol which, is good for people with hyperhidrosis. This has a moderate effect in treating palmar and axillary hyperhidrosis, but may cause severe skin irritation. Drysol is best applied during nighttime before going to sleep. When you wake up the following day, the medication will already have expired. This product offers good results during the first several uses, but does not guarantee long-term success in its treatment.
Another effective antiperspirant is Xertac AC – a good product, but one that may not be as effective as Drysol. Other useful topical antiperspirants include Tannic acid in ethanol and formalin solutions. However, this solution has been found to cause allergic reactions in some patients. Botox is also widely used for treating excessive sweating in body areas like underarms, palms, feet and forehead. All of these topical antiperspirants are best applied during nighttime specifically before sleeping.
These products make hyperhidrosis an easy medical condition to treat – take your pick and see what works for you. If unsure, it’s best to consult your dermatologist.
Hyperhidrosis
More and more people today try to follow an active lifestyle. Due to this, they are much more likely to be exposed to different people and activities than ever before. As our days get busier, we become less aware of our bodily functions, which also undergo increased activity as we encounter both physical and emotional stress on a regular basis. For most people, such stress causes the body to sweat.
Sweating is the body’s natural response to an intense situation. The nervous system immediately senses any stressors in the body’s immediate environment and signals the sweat glands to produce sweat. This helps the body, which naturally heats up during stressful moments, regulate its own temperature. This is most obvious when we are subjected to climates warmer than our own, when exercising, or when we feel nervous, angry, embarrassed, or afraid.
While sweating is perfectly normal, excessive sweating may be a sign of an underlying medical condition. Excessive sweating is normally defined as the state when the body produces more sweat than is needed to regulate the body temperature. Excessive sweating is also known by its medical term, hyperhidrosis.
Hyperhidrosis is a medical disorder characterized by excessive sweating at any part of the body. It is a medical condition that causes the sufferer to experience unpredictable and excessive sweating, even at cool and comfortable temperatures, or when they are at rest. Cases of hyperhidrosis usually affect specific parts of the body, such as hands, armpits and feet. Excessive sweating in the hands is called palmar hyperhidrosis; in the armpits, it’s called axillary hyperhidrosis; and in the feet, it’s called plantar hyperhidrosis. The sympathetic nervous system controls much of the sweating process, and any problem affecting it may affect the body’s perspiration system.
Hyperhidrosis can be primary or secondary. Primary hypehidrosis usually starts during or even before the individual’s adolescent stage. In primary hyperhidrosis, the affected part of the body may be the hands, feet, or armpits. Primary hyperhidrosis is also known as focal hyperhidrosis and can run in families. Often, sufferers ignore the symptoms of primary hyperhidrosis – according to studies, primary hyperhidrosis affects 2-3% of the population, and not even 40% of these sufferers seek medical advice regarding this disorder.
Secondary hyperhidrosis, on the other hand, may come unexpectedly. It can affect anybody at any age. This type of hyperhidrosis is the result of an underlying condition, such as a disorder of the thyroid or pituitary gland, diabetes mellitus, tumors, gout, menopause, certain drugs, or mercury poisoning. The symptoms of secondary hyperhidrosis may be more serious than primary hyperhidrosis.
Regardless of the type and reason for onset, hyperhidrosis poses a serious physical and psychological problem for the sufferer. The discomfort and embarrassment the condition brings may affect the individual emotionally, and may cause him/her to delay or even forego treatment. It’s important to set aside fears and see a dermatologist immediately once your levels of perspiration causes you to worry. Identified early, hyperhidrosis may necessitate only mild forms of treatment and be prevented from escalating any further.
How to Stop Excessive Sweating
Wet armpits are, without a doubt, very uncomfortable. Excessive underarm sweating is also known as axillary hyperhidrosis. This embarrassing condition often results in bad odor and wetness. So does sweaty feet – it’s hard to concentrate on much else when your toes are moving in muck. Handshakes aren’t as congenial with wet palms. People suffering from excessive sweating, no matter their age, prefer to avoid any form of social contact for fear of embarrassing themselves. They work alone, keep hands in their pockets, stay home on weekends – anything to keep anyone from learning of their condition.
Excessive sweating – that is, producing more perspiration than the normal amount usually secreted by the body – affects people of all ages, though it is often more often found in adolescents and young adults. At this stage, one might experience sweaty palms, feet and underarms. Whichever part of the body the condition hits, it usually stays with the individual for the rest of his life unless treated through medical or surgical means.
Most likely, an individual’s profession contributes to excessive sweating. Sufferers of such disorders are people who experience constant anxiety and tension. Those who suffer from facial and underarm sweating at night most likely work in front of an audience most of the time, such as speakers and musicians. No profession is exempted from excessive sweating, but jobs like models, TV personalities, chefs, executives, attorneys, and salesman are at highest risk.
Several surgical procedures can free individuals from such turmoil, as well as other treatments as botox injections, iontophoresis. or drysol. The downside to these treatments is that they might cause permanent physiological damage to an individual.
Individuals may seek help from dermatologists and other skin care professionals qualified to treat excessive sweating. Treatment may involve surgical procedures, such as sweating surgery, thoracic surgery procedure, and surgery for sweaty hands. These surgical procedures may leave scars and blemishes in the treated parts of the skin due to the some reaction to the medicine, but these will heal in time.
Removing the overactive sweat glands in the body may cure excessive sweating. Surgery must only be performed by a qualified doctor.
Recently, studies show that nerve nodes in the thorax are responsible for the innervations of the sweat glands in the upper limbs and the face, in turn causing the excessive sweating. To control this, a micro-invasive surgical technique has been developed as an effective surgical treatment to access the nerve nodes in the thorax. This treatment is known as Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy (ETS), a surgical technique that interrupts the sympathetic chain. This treatment aims to reduce, if not eliminate, excessive sweating in particular areas of the body such as hands, feet, and face. The procedure, supervised by a board eligible anesthesiologist, may last up to 30 minutes.
When you think you’re suffering from excessive sweating, it’s often best to consult a dermatologist as early as possible. Excessive sweating may have a tendency to worsen over time, and dermatologists are equipped with the knowledge to ascertain the severity of the medical condition, as well as the equipment needed to treat it.
Excessive Sweating Treatment
Hyperhidrosis , or excessive sweating, is a widespread disorder that affects many people. Palmar hyperhidrosis, or sweaty palms, is the most common type of hyperhidrosis. This disorder causes excessive sweating on the palms of the hands. Hyperhidrosis has also been found to cause profuse foot, underarm and facial perspiration. It is widely received that hyperhidrosis is an effect of the overactivity of the sympathetic nervous system.
Sweating is frequently uncontainable, discomforting and unanticipated. Regular sweating is required for the thermal regulation of our bodies. On the other hand, people suffering from hyperhidrosis go beyond the body’s necessity for physiological thermal regulation. Hyperhidrosis is a hereditary disorder that has been observed in almost all racial groups.
People never get used to living with the condition of hyperhidrosis. People with this condition continue to suffer all through their lives. Hyperhidrosis can have severe physiological side effects such as cold and clammy hands, dehydration and skin infections secondary to maceration of the skin. Hyperhidrosis can also bring about devastating emotional effects on a person’s personal life. People with this disorder are continually conscious of their situation and they tend to alter their way of life to accommodate this disorder. This can be very tasking and disabling in professional, academic and social life. It can also lead to humiliation and shame in daily life. Several routine tasks become unfeasible.
Hyperhidrosis is a medical circumstance with very severe negative mental and emotional effects. Unfortunately, friends, peers, families and relatives of affected folks do not completely understand what they go through. Even some physicians do not comprehend the tremendous harmful impact that this disorder can have on one’s life. Luckily, with the modern advances in medicine, many forms of treatment are now on hand to cure hyperhidrosis. Medications and procedures, such as topical antiperspirants, iontophoresis, botox, and surgery can treat hyperhidrosis. Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy is by far the most successful technique to cure hyperhidrosis.
The California Institute for Hyperhidrosis and Facial Blushing offers a complete and helpful site concerning hyperhidrosis and the Endoscopic Thoracic method.
Profuse perspiration can be managed to a point with the aid of commercially available antiperspirants and deodorants. Nevertheless, stronger action is mostly required, particularly for the cure of excessive sweating of the palms, soles, armpits or genital region. Applying aluminum chloride solution before bedtime may help alleviate the problem. Prescription and non-prescription dosages of this medicine are available commercially. An individual must first dry the moist area and then apply the solution over it. If the reaction to the medication is not encouraging, a plastic film can be placed over the solution to increase its efficiency. After waking up in the morning the individual takes out the film and washes the area. If the solution irritates the skin, the use of the plastic film should be stopped. Some individuals may require at least 2 applications everyday to make this effective. This routine would normally give relief in about a week’s time. An application of once or two times a week is then needed to sustain relief.
For individuals to whom bad odor is a problem, washing the affected area two times everyday with soap and water would normally take away the bacteria and yeast that causes the unpleasant smell. In some cases, a few days of washing with an antiseptic soap can help alleviate the condition. This can also be combined with antibacterial creams. Shaving the hair in the underarms has also been observed to control the odor. Clothing should be washed regularly and kept clean.
Axillary Hyperhidrosis
Axillary hyperhidrosis involves profuse and tremendous perspiration of the underarms. This condition is usually accompanied by constant bad body odor that is typically resistant to commercially available deodorants and antiperspirants. Axillary hyperhidrosis poses a social and psychological risk in addition to the physical discomfort it causes.
Axillary sweating may occur by itself or in combination with any or all of the different kinds of hyperhidrosis disorders, such as in the palms, feet, or face. People afflicted by this disorder are discouraged from wearing particular clothes, materials and colors because the sweat leads to staining and deterioration of the fabric.
Profuse armpit perspiration can turn out to be an exasperating dilemma for those suffering from this condition. Axillary hyperhidrosis manifests itself through increased armpit sweat production and this is prompted by the sympathetic nervous system. A malfunction in the nerves controlling underarm sweat glands results in excessive sweat production. Axillary hyperhidrosis is at times triggered by external factors such as anxiety, psychological stress and tiredness. However, this is not a rule and there are still no evidently identified stimuli that set off unwarranted armpit perspiration.
Individuals suffering from axillary hyperhidrosis sometimes result to wearing clothes in layers, such as donning a jacket over a shirt. This way, the individual may conceal his shirt in case axillary hyperhidrosis kicks in at a bad time. It’s not uncommon for sufferers to have to change their upper garments two or three times a day, sometimes even more, due to the persistent sweating condition. Women suffering form axillary hyperhidrosis also shun garments made of delicate fabrics such as silk, since sweat marks tend to be very noticeable in such fabrics. Whatever the occasion, axillary hyperhidrosis is a cause for embarrassment for the sufferer, and may make him/her less socially secure.
This condition frequently starts during teenage years. There are, however, some cases that occur before puberty. Kids with axillary hyperhidrosis are at risk of social withdrawal at a very early age, as the other kids may find their condition a tempting target for teasing. The teasing often triggers a vicious cycle that intensifies the anxiety endured by kids during this phase, leading to a feeling of hopelessness. The idea that there is no answer to or escape from their embarrassing medical condition may lead to withdrawal and isolation, making recovery even more difficult.
People with axillary hyperhidrosis sometimes do not have the strength to open up and discuss their condition even with their own family. This is because they think that they are the only ones afflicted by this disorder. There have been instances when parents only learn about their children’s suffering after the condition has been hampering their social lives for a number of years. It’s advisable to seek professional help immediately when parents detect a lack of social interaction, grief, and low self-esteem in their child.
Treatment of hyperhidrosis often entails correcting the malfunction of the sympathetic nervous system. Surgery to remove overactive sweat glands may also be the solution. Dermatologists are well-equipped to ascertain the most suitable treatments for axillary hyperhidrosis, as well as administering such treatments.


