It’s perfectly normal and healthy to break a sweat when you are involved in extended periods of physical exertion or you’re outside on a particularly sunny and hot day. It’s another issue if you break a sweat even when your body temperature has not risen at all. This is an indication that you might have a condition known as hyperhidrosis, abnormally excessive sweating for apparently no reason.
The Main Types of Hyperhidrosis
Hyperhidrosis can affect specific areas of the body or the whole body. There are generally two types of hyperhidrosis: Focal hyperhidrosis and generalized hyperhidrosis. Focal hyperhidrosis is when the excess sweating is localized, as in the case of palmoplantar hyperhidrosis, which affects the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. Generalized hyperhidrosis is the kind that affects areas of the entire body.
Symptoms of this disorder usually start to manifest during the teenage years. Sometimes it starts right at birth or later on in midlife. In many cases, there is no known reason for the excessive sweating. This is known as primary idiopathic hyperhidrosis. Other times, it can be a symptom of an underlying health problem, sickness or disorder. This is known as secondary hyperhidrosis. Some health conditions that can cause secondary hyperhidrosis include:
- Hot flashes caused by menopause
- Low levels of blood sugar
- Diabetes
- Some types of cancer
- Bacterial or viral infections
- Disorders of the nervous system
- Alcoholism or drug abuse
- Hyperthyroidism
Typical Hyperhidrosis Symptoms
The symptoms of hyperhidrosis are very noticeable. Aside from the noticeable sweating that can soak through clothing and make the face, hands, and feet sweaty, there are other symptoms that occur because of the constant dampness of skin. Fungal or bacterial infections can occur on the skin and make the problem even worse. Body odor can easily be a problem for people with hyperhidrosis.
How Is Hyperhidrosis Treated?
We treat our patients with hyperhidrosis depending on what is causing it and how severe it is. Botox®, miraDry®, and PrecisionTx are all options we offer at the Falcone Center. Botox® effectively disables the sweat glands in the targeted area for a certain amount of time. miraDry® offers results that can last several years, and it may also cause hair loss in the treated area. PrecisionTx utilizes thermal energy to effectively remove the sweat glands.
If you are interested in learning more about these treatments, consider speaking with the educated staff at the Falcone Center in Bala Cynwyd, PA, Maple Shade and Lambertville, NJ. Contact us today to schedule your consultation!