What is hyperhidrosis?

What is hyperhidrosis?

What is hyperhidrosis? Hyperhidrosis is the name given to excessive and uncontrollable sweating. Sweat is a weak salt solution produced by the eccrine sweat glands. These are distributed over the entire body but are most numerous on the palms and soles (with about 700 glands per square centimetre).

Is excessive sweating due to hyperhidrosis serious?

Excessive sweating due to hyperhidrosis can be a short- or long-term problem. It affects some people for most of their lives. Concern over how someone may react to your symptoms (like shaking your sweaty hand) may make you want to withdraw. There is no cure for hyperhidrosis, but help is available.

Is there a way to prevent hyperhidrosis?

You may be able to prevent some cases of generalized hyperhidrosis. The key is getting a precise diagnosis and treatment for an underlying condition that is causing symptoms. What is the prognosis (outlook) for people with hyperhidrosis?

What is focal hyperhidrosis (hyperhidrosis)?

Focal hyperhidrosis is a chronic skin disorder that you can inherit from your family. It results from a mutation (change) in your genes. It is also called primary hyperhidrosis. Most people who sweat excessively have focal hyperhidrosis.

Hyperhidrosis is a disorder of excessive sweating due to the overstimulation of cholinergic receptors on eccrine glands. This disorder is characterized by sweating beyond what the body uses for homeostatic temperature regulation.[1]

Which physical findings are characteristic of hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)?

Patients with hyperhidrosis will report excessive sweating, usually in areas with the highest density of eccrine glands, including the palms, soles, face, head, or axillae.

How do dermatologists diagnose hyperhidrosis?

Before treatment begins, it is important to find out why a patient has excessive sweating. How do dermatologists diagnose hyperhidrosis? To diagnose this condition, a dermatologist gives the patient a physical exam. This includes looking closely at the areas of the body that sweat excessively.