Common Causes and Possible Treatments of Hyperhidrosis



Activities that requires you to stay under the heat of the sun or physical movements when you workout at the gym can and will make you sweat. Besides it’s a proven fact that undergoing such activities will make you lose bodily fluids of several quarts in forms of perspiration. However, there are times when the complex mechanism perspiration of our body goes awry that may lead to excessive sweating. Hyperhidrosis which means too much or excessive sweating are sometimes symptoms of a more potentially serious health condition and may also cause embarrassing moments at times. The counterpart of this condition which is called anhidrosis which means nonexistent sweating is a more serious condition and also life threatening.

For some people sweating is treated just as a minor nuisance and the odor that accompanies the sweat to be more troublesome. When in contact with bacteria a normally odorless sweat can develop an unpleasant smell which may be very offensive at times, although you are not alone with this smelly dilemma, a lot of Americans are spending millions of dollar every year on deodorants and antiperspirants.

Factors that causes hyperhidrosis include certain food and beverages; drugs such as aspirin, acetaminophen, analgesic and certain antipsychotic medications may increase and cause excessive sweating; heredity also plays a big factor to the contribution of this condition. Menopausal stage in women and low levels of male testosterone hormones also known as hypogonadism and low blood sugar levels may also be factors of hyperhidrosis. Fevers with chills which are sometimes an indication of a serious illness or infection may cause this condition too. Some of the factors that may be indirect causes of hyperhidrosis are health problems such as heart attack, hyperthyroidism, malaria, tuberculosis and some certain cancers. However, the exact real cause of hyperhidrosis is still unknown but it is somewhat known that overactive sympathetic nervous system causes excessive sweating.

Over-the-counter deodorant and antiperspirant are the simplest solution to excessive sweating. However, these solutions can help eliminate the odor that something goes along with the sweating but not the perspiration itself. Turning your skin acidic is one of the side effects of using deodorants and antiperspirants which are usually alcohol-based that makes it less likely for bacteria to get attracted. But antiperspirant and deodorants may cause contact dermatitis and skin irritations.

There are other recommended treatments for hyperhidrosis such as iontophoresis, a quite safe and painless procedure that uses a battery-operated device that will deliver a low voltage of electricity to the affected area that works just like a topical antiperspirant; anticholegernic drugs which are prescribed by doctors for people who have excessive generalized sweating, however the drug have various generally mild side effects; botox injections are also effective ways of treating hyperhidrosis; surgery is also an option which is done by removing overactive sweat glands. Complications will also be experienced by some people with hyperhidrosis conditions. Skin disorders are the most common associated complications of this condition such as warts, jock itch, bacterial infections, fungal nail infections and athlete’s foot.