Most people experience higher than normal sweating in the summer months when warm weather rolls around. However, if you are a victim of hyperhidrosis, your body loses an excessive amount of sweat year-round, regardless of the weather. When you suffer from hyperhidrosis, minor things can trigger sweating—from walking up a flight of stairs to eating a spicy meal. We know that constant sweating is uncomfortable and often embarrassing. The good news is that you’re not alone: An estimated 2%-3% of people in America suffer from hyperhidrosis, generally known as “excessive sweating.”
If you are among these heavy sweaters, here is everything you must know about hyperhidrosis.
The team at About Face Anti-Aging explained that this common problem has many treatment options, so you don’t have to suffer in silence forever. Here are some frequently asked questions about hyperhidrosis:
What is hyperhidrosis?
(Hi-pur-hi-DROE-sis) Hyperhidrosis is unusual and extreme sweating that is not necessarily the result of exercise or heat.
Many people suffer from excessive sweating of the underarms or of the palms & soles of the feet. Underarm sweating tends to begin in late adolescence, while palm and sole sweating often begin earlier, around age 13 (on average). While these are normal, excessive sweating is a concern, and if left untreated, these may continue for your entire life.
There are usually two types of this condition: primary hyperhidrosis, contrasted with secondary hyperhidrosis, which relates to sweating that happens as a result of another medical condition.
Some medical problems related to secondary Hyperhidrosis include diabetes mellitus, menopause (i.e., hot flashes), hyperthyroidism, and others.
Why do we sweat?
Sweating is the way our body cools itself. It happens because of the vaporization of sweat as the body’s temperature rises. Sweating can simply happen when it’s warm outside or when you are physically exercising or exerting yourself. When you are suffering from hyperhidrosis, it can happen without a specific reason.
When does hyperhidrosis develop?
Patients with hyperhidrosis usually develop symptoms in their teens, commonly at the onset of puberty. Additionally, sweating that begins in the mid to late twenties is usually secondary to a different medical issue.”
Some sufferers are genetically predisposed to hyperhidrosis, so if any of your family members suffer from this condition, that is most likely why you do, too.
What about night sweats?
Unfortunately, excessive sweating at night is not limited to localized patterns throughout the day. For example, if you have sweaty palms during the day, it’s possible that you won’t have them at night. Instead, you will sweat all over.
What are some medical approaches for axillary hyperhidrosis?
There are many ways to treat hyperhidrosis, but they depend on the severity of your condition and your willingness and ability to undergo a medical procedure.
Unfortunately, your regular drugstore won’t have any help to cure hyperhidrosis. However, you can still use drugstore deodorants. Antiperspirants that contain aluminum chloride can be considered pretty helpful.
If simple and basic antiperspirants provide some help, then prescription strength ones may even be more effective. However, skin irritation and burning may be common side effects of using these. You can check with our experts at About Face Anti-Aging about whether these products would be helpful for you and about what other treatment options we recommend for hyperhidrosis.
If you suffer from excessive sweating or hyperhidrosis in your underarms or the palms of your hands, you must pay a visit to About Face Anti-Aging Institute. We are the best at treating hyperhidrosis in Texas. Contact us today to schedule a consultation to get rid of your excessive sweating.
