Types of Hyperhidrosis
Hyperhidrosis is a condition in which excessive sweating occurs. Most people have some degree of hyperhidrosis, and it can affect anyone, at any age. However, it is more common in people who are exposed to high levels of heat for extended periods of time. This means it can be a more challenging condition for those who have jobs that require them to work outdoors or in hot environments frequently. Hyperhidrosis can take many forms. It can impact the areas where excessive sweating occurs; how often the sweat glands trigger sweating; and what triggers it. One type of hyperhidrosis is primary hyperhidrosis, also known as primary axillary hyperhidrosis or axillary hyperhidrosis. This type affects only one side of the body (typically the dominant side); secondary hyperhidrosis affects both sides, and generalized hyperhidrosis involves excessive sweating on multiple parts of the body at once. Hyperhidrosis doesn’t just cause embarrassing underarm wetness from wearing too many clothing layers or even incontinence from being unable to maintain regular bladder emptying schedules or odors from pit sweat—it affects every aspect of life, causing embarrassment and limiting activities of daily living as well as social interactions with others.
Primary Hyperhidrosis
Hyperhidrosis is usually referred to as primary hyperhidrosis when it affects one side of the body only. It can also be called axillary hyperhidrosis or primary axillary hyperhidrosis. Primary hyperhidrosis, like secondary hyperhidrosis, can trigger sweating all over the body, but this typically happens when the person becomes anxious, stressed out, or afraid. The sweat glands may also produce more sweat during certain times of day (such as during physical activity). The symptoms of primary hyperhidrosis commonly include: – Sweating in certain places on the body – Sweating excessively at night – Body odor from pit sweat – Persistent underarm wetness that doesn’t go away easily with regular use of antiperspirants and deodorants – Difficulties controlling daytime temperatures
Secondary Hyperhidrosis
Secondary hyperhidrosis is the most common form of hyperhidrosis. This type affects both sides of the body but is less severe on one side than the other. Secondary hyperhidrosis can be caused by a variety of factors, such as anxiety disorders and stress-related conditions, such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or panic disorder. Secondary hyperhidrosis typically starts in childhood and worsens through adolescence because of increased levels of sweat gland activity during puberty. Some secondary forms are caused by certain medications, like those for high blood pressure or depression; some conditions that may cause secondary hyperhidrosis include Raynaud’s phenomenon and diabetes. These conditions create an abnormal response in the autonomic nervous system that leads to excessive sweating.
Generalized Hyperhidrosis
Generalized hyperhidrosis is the most commonly diagnosed form of excessive sweating and can take many forms. It affects both sides of the body, resulting in sweat glands that are overactive in some areas but not others, or it causes sweating on multiple parts of the body at once. If a person has this condition, they will likely experience excessive underarm wetness from wearing too many clothing layers or even incontinence from being unable to maintain regular bladder emptying schedules. The main cause of generalized hyperhidrosis is unknown, and there is no effective treatment for it. However, doctors may prescribe treatments for specific types of hyperhidrosis. For example, one type of generalized hyperhidrosis is primary hyperhidrosis—also known as primary axillary hyperhidrosis or axillary hyperhidrosis—which involves excessive sweating on only one side of the body (typically the dominant side).
What is hyperhidrosis?
Hyperhidrosis is a condition in which excessive sweating occurs. Most people have some degree of hyperhidrosis, and it can affect anyone, at any age. It is more common in people who are exposed to high levels of heat for extended periods of time. This means that it can be a more challenging condition for those who have jobs that require them to work outdoors or in hot environments frequently. Hyperhidrosis can take many forms. It can impact the areas where excessive sweating occurs; how often the sweat glands trigger sweating; and what triggers it. One type of hyperhidrosis is primary hyperhidrosis, also known as primary axillary hyperhidrosis or axillary hyperhidrosis. This type affects only one side of the body (typically the dominant side); secondary hyperhidrosis affects both sides, and generalized hyperhidrosis involves excessive sweating on multiple parts of the body at once. Hyperhidrosis doesn’t just cause embarrassing underarm wetness from wearing too many clothing layers or even incontinence from being unable to maintain regular bladder emptying schedules or odors from pit sweat—it affects every aspect of life, causing embarrassment and limiting activities of daily living as well as social interactions with others.
Causes of Hyperhidrosis
Hyperhidrosis is caused by an overactive sweat gland, called a pilomotor. In people with primary hyperhidrosis, the sweat gland happens to be located close to the armpit and axilla (armpit-area) and produces excessive amounts of sweat when stimulated. Secondary hyperhidrosis affects both sides of the body; generalized hyperhidrosis affects multiple parts of the body at once, and localized hyperhidrosis affects one or more small areas of the body. Primary hyperhidrosis is most often caused by genetics. However, secondary and generalized hyperhidrosis generally results from triggers that cause increased activity in sweat glands. The most common causes of secondary or generalized hyperhidrosis are medications, infections, stress, changes in hormones during pregnancy or menopause, smoking, trauma —for example, a sports injury—and certain diseases such as celiac disease or sarcoidosis.
Treatment for Hyperhidrosis
Treatment for hyperhidrosis depends on the type of hyperhidrosis that is present. If it is primary hyperhidrosis, patients should avoid triggers, such as heat and stress. If it is secondary or generalized, doctors may need to manage the symptoms through medications or surgery. Your doctor can help you find a treatment plan that will work for you. If you are experiencing excessive sweating with no clear cause, your doctor may opt to run tests to rule out the most common causes. These include diabetes (insulin resistance syndrome), hypothyroidism, menopause, rheumatoid arthritis, cystic fibrosis, and other conditions. In some cases, your doctor might also prescribe medicines or recommend oral treatments like antidepressants or antipsychotics to help slow down the body’s production of natural chemicals that can trigger excessive sweating in some people.
Prognosis and Future Research
The prognosis for people with hyperhidrosis is fairly good, and more research is being conducted to better understand the disorder. It is estimated that over half of all people who have hyperhidrosis will eventually be able to effectively manage their condition. As for future research, one area of potential study would be how hyperhidrosis affects other disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. What are the long-term implications of excessive sweating on this type of disease?
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