Overview
Most people who get sweaty palms a lot don’t have a health problem. But there is a medical condition called “hyperhidrosis”. Hyperhidrosis is a condition of excessive sweating without any major contributing factor like heat, workout etc.
When a person has hyperhidrosis, it usually begins around puberty. A number of things can trigger the sweating, including alcohol, some medicines, hormones, spicy foods, stress, and conditions like diabetes.
The excess of sweat happens even if the person is not engaging in tasks that require muscular effort, and it does not depend on the exposure to heat.
The good news about hyperhidrosis is that doctors have several different options for treating it.
Check: Home remedy for Body Odor
It affects men and women equally, and most commonly occurs among people aged 25–64 years, though some may have been affected since early childhood. Persons of all ages can be affected by hyperhidrosis. Localized hyperhidrosis, unlike generalized hyperhidrosis, usually begins in childhood or adolescence.
In a study of 850 patients with palmar, axillary, or facial hyperhidrosis, 62% of patients reported that sweating began since before they could remember; 33%, since puberty; and 5%, during adulthood
About 60% in both databases were women.
All races can be affected by hyperhidrosis; however, Japanese are reportedly affected more than 20 times more frequently than other ethnic groups.
There are about 30-50% people who have hyperhidrosis just because their family members have hyperhidrosis. This proves that hyperhidrosis can genetically transferred.
Which parts of body does get Excessive sweat?
There are following organs that got effected from hyperhidrosis.
- Underarms,
- face,
- neck,
- back,
- groin,
- feet,
- hands.
What is hyperhidrosis/ Excessive Sweating
It is also known by following name;-
- Polyhidrosis
- Seborrhea
“ Hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating, which means sweating more than normal”
The body uses sweat as a form of temperature control, in order to cool itself.
People with hyperhidrosis report feelings of social isolation and withdrawal from others in order to avoid touching others.
This includes dating, business activities (where shaking hands is commonplace) and other activities for fear of body odor and damp clothing.
People with hyperhidrosis don’t have more sweat glands than other people. Rather, the nerve that controls sweating the sympathetic nerve is oversensitive and causes the overproduction of sweat.
Although it is not life-threatening but it can be uncomfortable and cause embarrassment and psychological trauma.
Types of Excessive Sweating
Hyperhidrosis can either be generalized, or localized to specific parts of the body.
Hands, feet, armpits, groin, and the facial area are among the most active regions of perspiration due to the high number of sweat glands in these areas.
There are following types of hyperhidrosis;-
- Focal hyperhidrosis:- When excessive sweating is localized
(e.g. palms, soles, face, underarms, scalp) it is referred to as primary hyperhidrosis or focal hyperhidrosis. Primary focal hyperhidrosis is excessive focal sweating of at least 6 months’ duration without any obvious cause
Primary or focal hyperhidrosis usually starts during adolescence or even earlier and seems to be inherited as an autosomal dominant genetic trait. It must be distinguished from secondary hyperhidrosis, which can start at any point in life
Primary or focal hyperhidrosis may be further divided by the area affected, for instance, palmoplantar hyperhidrosis (symptomatic sweating of only the hands or feet) or gustatory hyperhidrosis (sweating of the face or chest a few moments after eating certain foods).
- Generalized hyperhidrosis:- Excessive sweating involving the whole body is termed generalized hyperhidrosis or secondary hyperhidrosis. Secondary generalized hyperhidrosis usually begins in adulthood It is usually the result of some other, underlying condition.This form of hyperhidrosis typically affects large areas of the body, and patients may also sweat during sleep.
Secondary hyperhidrosis may be due to a disorder of the thyroid or pituitary glands, diabetes mellitus, tumors, gout, menopause, certain drugs, or mercury poisoning.
According to the International Hyperhidrosis Association, approximately 2.8 percent of Americans are affected by hyperhidrosis; that’s around 7.8 million people.
Who can get hyperhidrosis?
There are two types of hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating): primary hyperhidrosis and secondary hyperhidrosis.
Primary hyperhidrosis is usually inherited, which means one of your family members may have had it. Primary hyperhidrosis begins in childhood and worsens with puberty, especially in women.
Secondary hyperhidrosis is caused by some following other condition or behavior;-
- Neurologic syndromes
- Thyrotoxicosis
- Diabetes mellitus
- Gout
- Menopause
- Medications that may cause sweating
- Chronic alcoholism
- Spinal cord injury
- Blood pressure medication
Symptoms of Excessive Sweating
Depending where on your body you experience hyperhidrosis will determine your symptoms;-
- Excessive sweating for at least 6 months without any clear reason
- Sweat occurs in the both side of the body.
- The sweating can be rough in some times
- Excessive sweating occurs at least one time in a week.
- There is no presence of sweat during sleeping.
- If your family members have hyperhidrosis, then it is 100% sure that you have chances to get hyperhidrosis.
- Excessive amount of sweating usually occurs before your’s 25.
Causes of excessive sweating
Sweating is how your body cools itself when it gets too hot (when you’re exercising, sick or really nervous). Nerves tell your sweat glands to start working. In hyperhidrosis, certain sweat glands work overtime for no apparent reason, producing sweat that you don’t need.
Focal hyperhidrosis:- There are some following causes that are responsible for focal hyperhidrosis;-
- Certain odors and foods, including citric acid, coffee, chocolate, peanut butter and spices.
- Emotional stress, especially anxiety.
- Heat.
- Spinal cord injury.
Generalized or secondary hyperhidrosis:- There are some common following reasons that are responsible for generalized or secondary hyperhidrosis;-
- Dysautonomia (autonomic dysfunction).
- Heat, humidity and exercise.
- Infections, such as tuberculosis.
- Malignancies, such as Hodgkin disease (cancer of the lymphatic system).
- Menopause.
- Metabolic diseases and disorders, including hyperthyroidism, diabetes, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), pheochromocytoma (a benign tumor in the adrenal glands), gout and pituitary disease.
- Severe psychological stress.
- Some prescription drugs, including certain antidepressants
Complications
There are several complications that can occur as a result of the type of chronic, profuse sweating that people with hyperhidrosis can experience, these may include;-
- Social and emotional issues:- It include embarrassment from body odor and visible sweating, social isolation, and more. Some individuals with hyperhidrosis describe their symptoms as being so severe that they hesitate to pursue a romantic partnership, avoid social activities, and experience severe anxiety due to the disorder. In fact, in a study, 35% of people with hyperhidrosis reported a decrease in leisure activity time due to excessive sweating and 41% reported that sweating interfered with their pursuit of hobbies, avoiding exercise, walking and even reading (for those with palmer hyperhidrosis).
- Psychological impact:- As many as one-third of people with hyperhidrosis report their condition as being barely tolerable or intolerable and reported that the condition frequently interfering with activities of daily living. Additional psychosocial symptoms of hyperhidrosis include;-
- Avoiding social engagement (such as handshaking)
- Depression8
- Lack of confidence
- Impairment of work performance
- Missed social gatherings
- Difficulty with social and romantic relationship
- Softening of the skin:- It can occur in the affected areas of the skin due to them being continually moist.
- Athlete’s foot:- It a fungal infection similar to tinea cruris. This condition originates from a fungus that grows in a wet moist environment, located on the foot, usually in between the toes (instead of in the groin area).
- Skin infections:- It can result from the combination of maceration, which causes skin breakdown, combined with bacteria and viruses that gravitate to moist, warm and dark areas of the body.
- Nail infections
- Warts
- Bacterial infections:- Especially around hair follicles and between the toes.
- Drink more water:- Your body naturally produces more sweat when you are dehydrated or your body temperature rises. As such, drinking plenty of water is a win-win when it comes to preventing sweat the natural way. A fully hydrated body also aids in digestion, which is also beneficial when you sweat too much.
Tips to prevent Excessive Sweating
Focal hyperhidrosis cannot be prevented. However generalized or secondary hyperhidrosis can be prevented. There are following tips that can be helpful to prevent hyperhidrosis;-
- Bathe daily to reduce body odor.
- Apply baby powder to shoes to absorb moisture.
- Wear sandals to keep your feet cool and dry.
- Choose clothing that’s appropriate to your activity level. Wear moisture-wicking fabrics while exercising and colored fabrics to hide sweat stains.
- Apply antiperspirant to your skin at night
Home remedy for Excessive Sweating
There are following home remedies that can be effective in hyperhidrosis;-
Apple cider vinegar:- Apple cider vinegar is an incredibly versatile product. You can use it to clean, preserve food, and even to help with some skin conditions. It can also be used to control the odor-causing bacteria that contribute to hyperhidrosis.
Use apple cider vinegar as a natural astringent by applying it to your skin with a cotton ball before bed and washing it off in the morning. Best of all, apple cider vinegar is something you can usually find at your local grocery store!
2. Baking soda and cornstarch Paste:- Both baking soda and cornstarch help absorb sweat, lower pH levels, and block odors. Create your own natural deodorant by mixing baking soda with an equal part of cornstarch and applying it to clean, dry underarms. For best results, apply this all-natural hyperhidrosis remedy several times a day.
3.Lemon juice:- Lemon juice is another all-natural deodorant and hyperhidrosis home remedy you may want to try. To get the best results, apply fresh lemon to your underarms at night, then shower in the morning to remove any residual lemony-fresh scent.
4.Black Tea:- Black tea can be used as a topical, all-natural hyperhidrosis treatment. The tea helps to control sweating and reduce odor-causing bacteria because the tannic acid in the tea constricts and reduces pores.
To make this home remedy for hyperhidrosis, steep the tea for several minutes, then allow it to cool to room temperature and apply it to affected areas. You can also prepare enough to soak your hands and/or feet. Repeat several times a day.
5. Tea tree oil:- Tea tree oil is a natural astringent and helps reduce odor-causing bacteria.
To boot, it’s probably the best smelling option on the list. To use tea tree oil as a natural hyperhidrosis treatment, apply it using cotton balls to underarms or other sweaty areas once or twice daily.
If you are using a concentrated essential oil, be sure to combine with a carrier oil before applying to your skin.