Hyperhidrosis Q&A

HYPERHIDROSIS Q&A

Q: What is hyperhidrosis? A: Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition in which excessive sweating occurs beyond what is needed to maintain normal body temperature.1,2 Excessive sweating can occur in the hands, feet, underarms or face, and it often interferes with everyday activities. Hyperhidrosis affects approximately 15 million people in the United States, and nearly 5 percent of the world’s population.2

Q: Why do we sweat? A: People sweat for a variety of reasons. The main reason people sweat is to cool the body through a process called thermoregulation.3 When the skin is hot, either due to outside temperature or physical activity, the sweat glands are triggered to produce sweat.4 When the sweat evaporates off of the skin, it has a cooling effect.4 People living with hyperhidrosis, however, sweat when the body doesn’t necessarily need cooling.1

Sweating can also be triggered because of emotional stress.3 This type of sweating is generally restricted to the palms, soles, armpits and forehead.3 The causes of emotional sweating are not as well understood as thermoregulation.3

Q: What type of sweat glands exist in the human body? A: Sweat glands are small tubular structures in the skin that secrete sweat onto the skin.3 Eccrine sweat glands are distributed throughout almost the entire human body and they secrete directly onto the surface of the skin.3 Apocrine sweat glands are ten times larger than eccrine sweat glands.3 They are localized in the axilla (underarms) and perianal areas.3 Rather than directly opening onto the skin surface, these glands secrete sweat into the pilary canal of the hair follicle.3

Q: What are the symptoms of hyperhidrosis? A: The primary symptom of hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating beyond what is needed to maintain normal body temperature.1,2 This condition occurs without physical exertion or extreme heat, and varies from person to person. The excessive sweat can be felt throughout the entire body, while other times is localized to certain areas.5

Q: Are there different types of hyperhidrosis? A: There are two different types of hyperhidrosis.5 Primary hyperhidrosis often begins in childhood or adolescence and affects localized areas of the body, including the hands, feet, underarms or face.5 The condition may be inherited and many members of the same family may suffer from hyperhidrosis.5

Secondary hyperhidrosis is a type of excessive sweating that is caused by another medical condition or is a side effect of a medication.5 Compared to primary hyperhidrosis, secondary hyperhidrosis usually begins in adulthood, affects the entire body (vs. localized areas) and often presents symptoms during sleep.5

Medical conditions that can cause excessive sweating include:5 • Diabetes • Frostbite • Gout • Injury, such as head trauma caused by an accident • Menopause • Obesity • Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) • Tumor

Q: What is axillary hyperhidrosis? A: Axillary hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating that occurs in the armpit.6 Q: How does hyperhidrosis impact a person’s daily life? A: Excessive sweating can have a serious impact on a person’s quality of life, career choices, relationships and overall well-being.2 Studies show that hyperhidrosis is associated with increased prevalence of anxiety and depression.7

People with hyperhidrosis develop coping behaviors to manage their condition. This includes:8 • Frequently change clothes throughout the day • Freshen up with wipes or extra showers • Place napkins under their arms or stick panty liners in their shirts • Hide under dark-colored, bulky clothing

Q: Is excessive sweating inherited? A: Research shows that primary hyperhidrosis may be inherited and many members of the same family may suffer from this condition.9 Unfortunately, many families don’t talk about hyperhidrosis due to social stigma and embarrassment.9

Q: What types of treatments are available for hyperhidrosis? A: There are many different ways to treat hyperhidrosis. Treatments can include:10

A solid, gel or spray substance that is applied to the underarms, hands, feet or hairline. Antiperspirants form a gel plug, which will Antiperspirants block the duct of a sweat gland, preventing sweat from reaching the surface of the skin. Antiperspirants, available in regular, clinical and prescription strength, are usually a dermatologist’s first treatment recommendation.

Thermolysis Using targeted microwaves or lasers, this treatment causes the destruction of sweat glands through localized heating.

A medical device that sends an electric current through water to disrupt the activity of sweat glands in the hands or feet. The at- Iontophoresis home device requires the hands or feet to be immersed in a shallow pan of tap water while a low-voltage current runs through the water.

A series of multiple injections or shots of medication that temporarily blocks the chemical signaling that stimulates sweat glands. Medications Other medicines can temporarily provide relief by blocking sweat glands from working in other ways.

An operation to surgically remove the sweat glands from the underarms or palms of the hands. Because surgery is permanent and Surgery carries risks, it is usually only considered when other treatments fail to bring relief to excessive sweating.

References: 1. American Academy of Dermatology. Hyperhidrosis: Overview. Accessed October 04, 2017, from https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/dry-sweaty-skin/hyperhidrosis. 2. Doolittle, J., Walker, P., Mills, T., & Thurston, J. (October 15, 2016). Hyperhidrosis: an update on prevalence and severity in the United States. Accessed October 04, 2017, from https://link.springer.com/ content/pdf/10.1007%2Fs00403-016-1697-9.pdf. 3. Wilke, K., Martin, A., Terstegen, L., & Biel, S. S. (2007). A short history of sweat gland biology. International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 29(3), 169–179. 4. International Hyperhidrosis Society (IHHS). (2016). Understanding Sweating. Accessed October 04, 2017, from http://www.sweathelp.org/home/understanding-hyperhidrosis.html. 5. American Academy of Dermatology. Hyperhidrosis: Signs and Symptoms. Accessed October 04.2017, from https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/dry-sweaty-skin/hyperhidrosis#symptoms 6. International Hyperhidrosis Society (IHHS). (2016) Sweaty Armpits. Accessed October 04.2017, from https://www.sweathelp.org/where-do-you-sweat/sweaty-armpits.html. 7. Bahar, Rayeheh, et al. The prevalence of anxiety and depression in patients with or without hyperhidrosis (HH). Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, vol. 75, no. 6, 2016, pp. 1126–1133., doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2016.07.001. 8. International Hyperhidrosis Society (IHHS). (2016). Diagnosing Hyperhidrosis. Accessed October 04. 2017 from https://www.sweathelp.org/home/diagnosing-hyperhidrosis.html. 9. International Hyperhidrosis Society (IHHS). (2016). Two Types of Hyperhidrosis. Accessed October 04, 2017 from https://www.sweathelp.org/home/types-of-hyperhidrosis.html. 10. American Academy of Dermatology. Hyperhidrosis Diagnosis and Treatments. Accessed October 04, 2017 from https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/dry-sweaty-skin/hyperhidrosis#treatment.