Sweating is important in order to keep your body cool and to function properly. Normal sweating is a part of everyday life and is key to a healthy lifestyle. Excessive perspiration, also known as hyperhidrosis, can be disruptive and embarrassing. Excessive perspiration does not help the body run more efficiently – instead, it can cause stress, which can create other medical issues.
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Hyperhidrosis can decrease a person’s quality of life. A person may sweat uncontrollably even if the temperature is cool. This condition can occur in the hands, feet, and armpits and can seem to have no cause or trigger. Hyperhidrosis does seem to have a genetic component as the condition is likely to occur in families. A person with this condition can easily sweat through clothes, a situation that can worsen given emotional excitement or worry.
At times, excessive amounts of sweat can be related to an underlying medical condition. In these cases, addressing the excess sweat begins with treating the underlying medical issue. Medical conditions that can result in hyperhidrosis include:
• Anxiety disorders
• Cancer
• Menopause
• Heart diseases
• An injury to the spinal cord
• Reactions to certain medication
• Stroke
Treatment for hyperhidrosis will depend on the root cause of the sweating problem. Available options for treatment include:
• Prescription antiperspirant – Often, the antiperspirants found in stores are not strong enough to address hyperhidrosis. Prescription antiperspirant can address underarm sweat.
• Medication – Some prescription medication can be prescribed that specifically targets the sweat glands to help reduce the excess sweating.
• Iontophoresis – This procedure uses an electronic pulse in order to deactivate the sweat glands.
• Neurotoxin – a medication often associated with plastic surgery, may be used in order to numb the nerves that are responsible for sweating. Because your nerves are not able to receive the signal to sweat, the sweat glands will stop or reduce production. For additional information on the treatment options for excessive perspiration, speak with a member of Cayman Neurology and Pain Management team today.
Hyperhidrosis is excessive perspiration that goes beyond what the body needs to stay cool. People with it may sweat through their clothes. Emotional excitement or worry can make it worse.
It may be. Hyperhidrosis appears to have a genetic component and is likely to occur in families.
Often, no. Over-the-counter antiperspirants are often not strong enough. Prescription antiperspirants, however, may help with underarm sweating.
Iontophoresis is a procedure that uses an electrical pulse to deactivate the sweat glands. It is one of several treatment options for excessive sweating.
Neurotoxin may be used to numb the nerves responsible for sweating. When those nerves can’t receive the signal to sweat, the sweat glands may produce less sweat.