What is hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)?
Perspiration is the body’s way of regulating the temperature in cases of extreme heat. Hyperhidrosis occurs when the perspiration is excessive and when temperature regulation triggers do not exist.
Hyperhidrosis most often affects the:
- Palms
- Soles of the feet
- Groin area
- Underarms
Hyperhidrosis can cause nuisances such as the need to change clothing, but can also have a devastating effect in social or business situations where it is negatively perceived by others.
What causes hyperhidrosis?
The triggers of hyperhidrosis have not been precisely determined. However, it is believed that the condition is both inherited, known as primary hyperhidrosis, and acquired, known as secondary hyperhidrosis. The exact reason for developing secondary hyperhidrosis is unknown, but scientists have some evidence connected to changes in the pituitary gland and the thyroid. Other connections have been made with:
- Diabetes
- Gout
- Menopause
- Allergic reaction to medications
- Cancer
- Stressful situations can trigger the condition.
The symptoms of hyperhidrosis include:
- Abnormal amounts of sweating
- Excessive sweating when conditions for sweating do not exist
- Night sweats in normal health
Chances of developing secondary hyperhidrosis (not inherited) rise in people who:
- Are allergic to certain medications
- Are in menopause
- Suffer from low blood sugar
- Develop an overactive thyroid gland
- Have some forms of cancer
- Have suffered a heart attack
What can treat hyperhidrosis?
Treatment options for hyperhidrosis include:
- Prescription antiperspirants
- Surgery on certain sweat glands or nerves
- Oral medication
- Botox® injections
- Iontophoresis (electrical current therapy)
- miraDry® (electromagnetic therapy)
Related resources
See all blogs
Sweat More than Most? 6 Ways to Fight Excessive Sweat
February 3, 2025
Everyone sweats. It’s the body’s way of regulating its temperature. But excessive sweating might be hyperhidrosis, the clinical name for overactive sweat glands. While hot weather or a brisk workout...
Top Treatments for Excessive Sweating
September 27, 2017
As we discussed in The Science Behind Sweat, sweating is a necessary component of a proper functioning body. In some cases though, people can suffer from excessive sweating, also known...
The Science Behind Sweat
September 20, 2017
Sweat gets a bad rap. We call it smelly and it ruins our favorite white tees. But, the truth is we need to sweat. How Does Sweating Work? Your body...
Request a consultation with a skin specialist today.
Loading map...