The curse of excessive sweating
Often starting in adolescence, this condition can cause significant psychological and social problems for those afflicted.
Hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating, has become a common issue for me and women.
As summer approaches, it can become more apparent.
Because it often starts in adolescence, this condition can cause significant psychological and social problems for those afflicted.
Sweating is one of the most important ways in which the body can control its temperature.
For people with hyperhidrosis the problem comes in when the amount of sweat produced is much more than what is necessary or wanted.
There are 2 main types:
• Focal hyperhidrosis
This is the most common type.
Most of these patients will sweat excessively either on their feet, hands or axillary area.
The face and scalp may also be affected, but this occurs less often. Gustatory hyperhidrosis is when sweating on the face is triggered by hot or spicy food.
• Generalised hyperhydrosis affects the whole body
It is much less common and is usually caused by another illness such as an infection, diabetes or when the thyroid gland is overactive.
The excessive sweating usually stops when the illness is treated.
Hyperhidrosis is caused because one type of sweat gland, the eccrine gland, is over active.
These glands are found virtually all over the body surface but are concentrated on the palms of the hands, the soles of the feet and in the armpits.
It has been estimated that up to 1 per cent of the population suffers from some form of hyperhidrosis.
It usually starts during the teens and twenties and continues into older age.
It is not known why some people are affected and others are not.
Thirty to 50 per cent of people with hyperhidrosis have a relative with a similar problem, which suggest that there may be a genetic predisposition.
Many things can trigger or aggravate excessive sweating, as is the case in ‘normal’ sweating’:
- • Exercise.
- • Heat or cold.
- • Alcohol, coffee or tea.
- • Smoking.
- • Hot or spicy food.
- • Stress and anxiety.
People with hyperhidrosis can sometimes produce large volumes of sweat.
This means that the hands, feet, chest or armpits – depending on which part of the body has been affected – may be damp constantly.
This may make normal everyday activities more difficult to carry out and it often causes the person distress and embarrassment.
It must be said that hyperhidrosis does not cause body odour.
The smell that some people think is due to sweating is in fact caused by bacteria after sweat has been left there for a long time.
Often those suffering from this problem, shower or bath frequently during the day if they are able.
Many treatment options and advice are out there to reduce symptoms:
Simple self-help measures you can take include the following:
- • Choose clothing that will keep you cool. Natural fibres are cool but they absorb sweat and can remain damp. Some synthetic fibres are warm but they draw sweat away from the body and feel dry.
- • Have a change of clothing available during the day.
- • Keep your work environment cool and well aired.
- • Avoid food and drinks that trigger sweating such as caffeine and chilli.
- • Try to reduce stress, tension and anxiety.
If you are suffering from hyperhidrosis, you are most likely already trying to follow these measures.
And unfortunately none of these are able to help treat or reduce the sweating itself.
There are a couple of treatments and procedures that can help.
Once such treatment is surgery that targets the sympathetic nerve.
This does, however, come with risks and can then result in excessive sweating ‘moving’ to another area of your body.
More commonly, an injection of Botulinum Toxin into the affected area has been proven to be useful.
The treatment is performed by medical doctors trained in this procedure.
The usual significant reduction of sweat usually lasts six to 12 months which means that many patients have the treatment done shortly before the start of summer.
Treatments do not only reduce excessive sweating but improve the quality of life for patients.
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•Information supplied by Dr Julie Sinclair 011 453 3450.
