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ARE YOU A PROFUSE SWEATER?
Sounds like you may be experiencing a form of excess sweating known as primary focal hyperhidrosis. This usually begins in the teenage years and tends to affect one, or a combination of, the palms and soles of the feet, head, face or armpits. Even though the exact cause is hard to find, we do know it “runs” in families and may be inherited. Episodes of this profuse sweating occur at least once per week, while awake, and usually affect both sides of the body (both cheeks, hands, etc). While usually not a sign of a serious medical condition, it can be embarrassing and life-altering. That said, it is best to have a full evaluation by a primary care physician, dermatologist or plastic surgeon.
In figuring out the cause of your sweating, your doctor will consider the two basic forms of hyperhidrosis: primary focal (previously described) and secondary generalized. In contrast to the primary form, those affected with generalized hyperhidrosis often experience sweating over a large area of their body that also occurs while they are asleep. Additionally, the cause is often secondary to something else (infection, cancer, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, spinal cord injury, certain medications, others).
While you may be experiencing extra sweating during your visit to the doctor, additional information will be needed. This includes answers to the following questions:
*Where does the sweating occur (hands, feet, armpits, groin, entire body)?
*When does it happen (any time of the day, only during the daytime, nighttime, winter, summer)?
*How long has it been a problem (days, weeks, months, years) and at what age did it begin?
*Are there certain situations that make it worse (when nervous, upset, meeting new people, working out, smoking, alcohol, foods containing caffeine or certain spices)?
*Have you had other symptoms since the sweating began (weight loss, fever, fast heart beat, etc.)?
*Are you taking any prescription, non-prescription, dietary or herbal supplements? If so, which ones? This is important because certain products (zinc supplements, antidepressants such as desipramine and nortriptyline, steroids, pilocarpine, others) may cause increased sweating.
*What products have your tried to control your sweating (deodorants, antiperspirants, powders, prescription medications, others)?
Next, your physician will perform a thorough physical examination that includes a check of your blood pressure, heart rate, thyroid, as well as any skin changes (signs of infection, injury, excess moisture) that may be contributing to your condition. Then, if focal hyperhidrosis is suspected, the following tests may be requested:
*Starch-iodine test, which helps to locate the areas where there is an excess *Paper test, which is specially formulated to absorb the extra moisture and then weighed to quantify the amount of sweating
*Laboratory tests to check for medical conditions such as an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), diabetes, gout, infection, others
If your diagnosis is indeed primary focal hyperhidrosis, there are treatments available that may provide significant relief. The first step often involves an antiperspirant containing a 10 percent to 15 percent (or higher) concentration of aluminum chloride hexahydrate. This is applied nightly and usually provides good relief for many individuals. If the excess armpit sweating is still a problem, or if this type of antiperspirant loses its effectiveness, there are other treatment options. These include:
*Medications to prevent the stimulation of the sweat glands
*Injection using a product containing botulinum toxin type A (Botox) that may provide relief for a period of four to seven months
*Iontophoresis (used for sweaty palms and feet) is a technique that uses a low level of electric current to shut down the sweat glands. Multiple treatments of 10-20 minutes are needed over a period of several weeks.
*Local surgical techniques targeted to remove excess sweat glands from the armpits (liposuction, curettage and excision) may be helpful.
Stay Strong~~!!!
IPL
In figuring out the cause of your sweating, your doctor will consider the two basic forms of hyperhidrosis: primary focal (previously described) and secondary generalized. In contrast to the primary form, those affected with generalized hyperhidrosis often experience sweating over a large area of their body that also occurs while they are asleep. Additionally, the cause is often secondary to something else (infection, cancer, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, spinal cord injury, certain medications, others).
While you may be experiencing extra sweating during your visit to the doctor, additional information will be needed. This includes answers to the following questions:
*Where does the sweating occur (hands, feet, armpits, groin, entire body)?
*When does it happen (any time of the day, only during the daytime, nighttime, winter, summer)?
*How long has it been a problem (days, weeks, months, years) and at what age did it begin?
*Are there certain situations that make it worse (when nervous, upset, meeting new people, working out, smoking, alcohol, foods containing caffeine or certain spices)?
*Have you had other symptoms since the sweating began (weight loss, fever, fast heart beat, etc.)?
*Are you taking any prescription, non-prescription, dietary or herbal supplements? If so, which ones? This is important because certain products (zinc supplements, antidepressants such as desipramine and nortriptyline, steroids, pilocarpine, others) may cause increased sweating.
*What products have your tried to control your sweating (deodorants, antiperspirants, powders, prescription medications, others)?
Next, your physician will perform a thorough physical examination that includes a check of your blood pressure, heart rate, thyroid, as well as any skin changes (signs of infection, injury, excess moisture) that may be contributing to your condition. Then, if focal hyperhidrosis is suspected, the following tests may be requested:
*Starch-iodine test, which helps to locate the areas where there is an excess *Paper test, which is specially formulated to absorb the extra moisture and then weighed to quantify the amount of sweating
*Laboratory tests to check for medical conditions such as an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), diabetes, gout, infection, others
If your diagnosis is indeed primary focal hyperhidrosis, there are treatments available that may provide significant relief. The first step often involves an antiperspirant containing a 10 percent to 15 percent (or higher) concentration of aluminum chloride hexahydrate. This is applied nightly and usually provides good relief for many individuals. If the excess armpit sweating is still a problem, or if this type of antiperspirant loses its effectiveness, there are other treatment options. These include:
*Medications to prevent the stimulation of the sweat glands
*Injection using a product containing botulinum toxin type A (Botox) that may provide relief for a period of four to seven months
*Iontophoresis (used for sweaty palms and feet) is a technique that uses a low level of electric current to shut down the sweat glands. Multiple treatments of 10-20 minutes are needed over a period of several weeks.
*Local surgical techniques targeted to remove excess sweat glands from the armpits (liposuction, curettage and excision) may be helpful.
Stay Strong~~!!!
IPL
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