Hyperhidrosis
Treatment Duration
30
Suggested Sessions
2-4 times/year
Synonymous with embarrassment, hyperhidrosis is an uncomfortable medical condition in which the patient sweats excessively and experiences the stress of an unmanageable condition.
What is Hyperhidrosis?
A bead of sweat can cool 1 liter of blood by 1 degree Fahrenheit.
Hyperhidrosis Types
Primary Hyperhidrosis
Secondary Hyperhidrosis
What is Hyperhidrosis?
Hyperhidrosis occurs when a person sweats more than necessary. The body uses sweat as a form of temperature control. It is necessary to sweat so that the body does not overheat. In the case of hyperhidrosis, the body's "thermostat" is deregulated and the body sweats without needing cooling.
Hyperhidrosis can be generalized, it manifests itself in the whole body, or it can be focal and manifests itself only in specific parts of the body.
Sweat
Sweat is a valuable ingredient for human survival. It is the coolant of the body, which protects us from overheating.
We have 2 to 4 million sweat glands distributed throughout our body. These are mostly excretory sweat glands, which secrete an odorless clear liquid that helps the body control its temperature by contributing to heat loss through evaporation.
A bead of sweat can cool 1 liter of blood by 1 degree Fahrenheit.Hyperhidrosis Types
Hyperhidrosis is categorized into two main types, which are essential for its management and treatment:
Primary Hyperhidrosis
Primary hyperhidrosis occurs in childhood or adolescence with localized symptoms.
Primary hyperhidrosis, there is a possibility that it has a hereditary predisposition since it occurs more often in people of the same family, however this is not a rule.
When hyperhidrosis occurs during adolescence, there is almost always a positive medical history.
In other cases, however, primary hyperhidrosis can manifest itself after the coexistence of intense stress with some syndrome.
So, you may sweat excessively:
- On one or more parts of the body usually in the armpits, hands, feet or forehead.
- On both sides of the body (for example on both armpits, on both arms or on both legs).
- As soon as you wake up and without the room being warm.
- At least once a week or more often for some people.
Secondary Hyperhidrosis
Secondary hyperhidrosis may be related to a medical condition or a drug side effect.
Medical conditions that can cause sweating include:
- diabetes mellitus
- hyperthyroidism
- menopause
- obesity
- arthritis
- infections (HIV, etc.)
- Parkinson
Almost any febrile illness can also cause hyperhidrosis, as can chronic alcohol consumption.
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Appearance on Body
- Armpits
- Palms
- Soles
- Face
- Scalp
- Genital area
- Under the breasts
The most common place where hyperhidrosis occurs is the armpits.
The most annoying point, however, is the palms, since they directly affect the person's activities such as their work, or even a simple handshake.
Hyperhidrosis is not a rare phenomenon, since it affects 1-3% of the world's population, while it occurs with the same frequency in both men and women.Hyperhidrosis Symptoms
The symptom that characterizes hyperhidrosis is increased sweating. It may not be easy to measure the amount of sweat you produce, but some situations in our everyday life indicate excessive sweating when:
- We sweat a lot in our armpits and back.
- We sweat so much that you have to change your shirt to get comfortable.
- "Tears" of sweat run down the forehead and cheeks.
- Our hands look wet and your socks get soaked.
The sweat glands secrete sweat in a larger amount than normal without any reason such as physical exercise, high temperature, very warm clothes, etc.
Armpit Hyperhidrosis
Armpit hyperhidrosis could be described as the most annoying type of hyperhidrosis. Axillary hyperhidrosis and uncontrolled sweating creates serious isolation problems.
Hyperhidrosis of hands
Palmar hyperhidrosis, (hand hyperhidrosis) is the type of hyperhidrosis with the most social, one might say, implications. See business contacts with sweaty handshakes, even difficulty operating the computer.
Excessive sweating can block simple movements like turning a doorknob or using the computer.Smelly Sweat
Sweat is normally odorless as it is mainly made up of water. However, when the sweat glands come into contact with bacteria, the latter break down the molecules that make up the sweat, resulting in a strong, usually foul smell.
Anhidrosis
If hyperhidrosis is uncomfortable and bothersome, the exact opposite medical condition, anhidrosis (ie, the absence of sweating) that it constitutes is not the dream for those who view excessive sweating as a nightmare. On the contrary, it can cause serious health problems.
Hyperhidrosis Diagnosis
To diagnose hyperhidrosis, the dermatologist will begin with a physical examination in which he will carefully examine the areas that sweat and take a complete medical history. He can also carry out special tests that are done in the doctor's office (starch-iodine test) and if he deems it necessary he will recommend tests to determine if there is an underlying medical condition.
The diagnosis of hyperhidrosis is made by a specialized dermatologist, while there are some criteria that, although not absolute, help distinguish primary from secondary hyperhidrosis.
Primary hyperhidrosis:
- Hereditary predisposition
- Simultaneous manifestation on both sides of the body (armpits-palms-soles)
- More often it is focal rather than generalized
- It takes place at least once a week
- Relief of symptoms during sleep
- Effects on the person's daily life
Secondary hyperhidrosis:
- It has no hereditary predisposition
- There is usually an underlying disease
- More often it is generalized and not focal
- It mostly happens during sleep
Based on the above criteria and some additional tests, hyperhidrosis and its type are diagnosed, so that the appropriate way to treat it can be chosen.
Ask the doctor
Dr. Loizidis Christoforos
Dermatologist - Venereologist
210 69 29 999
Treatment
There are different ways of dealing with it, which concern first of all general measures, which will ensure a reduced temperature and absorbent conditions.
Depending on the type of hyperhidrosis and where it occurs on the body, the doctor may suggest a number of treatment options, which are usually suggested gradually and may include:
- Changes in lifestyle, such as in the composition of the fabrics of our clothes.
- Topical application of antiperspirants.
- Systemic treatment with oral medications.
- Thermolysis.
- Invasive procedures.
In some cases, the combination of the above applications is deemed necessary.
Botox & Hyperhidrosis
The treatment of hyperhidrosis with botulinum toxin (botox) injections is a modern, effective approach.
Botox is a substance approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of hyperhidrosis and is effective when performed by a specially trained physician. The procedure involves injections into the treated area with a very fine needle. It is safe, bloodless, painless and for greater comfort an anesthetic cream is applied before.
Treatment with botulinum toxin injections blocks the chemical that stimulates the sweat glands, reducing excessive sweating. The result lasts about 7-8 months, when the treatment is repeated.
It can reduce unwanted sweating in armpits, palms, soles and other parts of the body for several months depending on the application site.
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According to the International Hyperhidrosis Society, 365 million people worldwide suffer from hyperhidrosis.Hyperhidrosis: Myths & Truths
Myth: Sweat contains toxins that we expel when we sweat.
Truth: Sweat consists of water, minimal carbohydrates, salt, protein and urea. Contains no toxins.
Myth: People who sweat excessively have a health or hygiene problem.
Truth: Although hyperhidrosis is often associated with neurological or other diseases, it most often occurs in otherwise healthy people.
Myth: People with hyperhidrosis have larger sweat glands.
Truth: Sweat gland size has nothing to do with hyperhidrosis.
Frequent Questions
Why do I sweat a lot?
Because your sweat glands are overactive and produce more sweat than necessary.
If I do botox for hyperhidrosis, when will the effect be felt?
We must emphasize that the effect of botox will be felt after 2-4 days of application, while the effect is complete approximately after 14 days. So for the next few months, excessive sweat production is almost completely reduced.
Does anyone who sweats excessively suffer from hyperhidrosis?
For the correct diagnosis of the disease, a visit to a specialist dermatologist is deemed necessary. Increased sweat production does not necessarily mean that you are suffering from hyperhidrosis, but it can be due to various factors, and you can limit its occurrence with the guidance of the doctor.
Can I prevent hyperhidrosis?
You cannot prevent primary hyperhidrosis. But you can identify the underlying condition that is "hiding" behind secondary hyperhidrosis and by treating it, you can also treat excessive sweating.
Can changes in my daily life improve my hyperhidrosis?
Many times changes in the daily routine such as more frequent showers and the choice of fabrics that "breathe" in clothing can improve hyperhidrosis to some extent, but in most cases they do not solve the problem.
Can hyperhidrosis be aggravated by strong emotions such as stress or anger?
Certainly strong emotions burden hyperhidrosis, but they do not cause it. The causes of the disease must be investigated by a specialist dermatologist.
Bibliography
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459227/
- https://www.sweathelp.org/where-do-you-sweat/sweaty-armpits.html
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2021839/
- https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/skin-hair-and-nails/hyperhidrosis#:~:text=Hyperhidrosis%20is%20a%20common%20condition,armpits