Abnormal Perspiration: Hyperhidrosis

About Hyperhidrosis
Hyperhidrosis is the condition characterized by abnormally increased perspiration in excess of that required for regulation of body temperature and causing embarrassment and interfering with daily activities.
Alternatively, hyperhydrosis may be classified according to the amount of skin that is affected. Excessive sweating in an area that is greater than 100 cm2 (up to generalized sweating of the entire body) is differentiated from sweating that affects only a small area.
Hyperhidrosis can either be generalized or localized to specific parts of the body. There are two types of hyperhidrosis:

Primary hyperhidrosis: emotional stimuli are believed to trigger excessive sweating.
• Palmar/plantar hyperhidrosis affects the hands/feet. Sweaty palms are the most troublesome symptom.
• Palmar/axillary hyperhidrosis affects palms/armpits.
• Isolated axillary hyperhidrosis affects only the armpits.
• Craniofacial hyperhidrosis affects the face and head. It's the least common form.

Secondary hyperhidrosis: associated with an underlying medical condition, such as infection, malignancy, neurologic or endocrine disorders, spinal cord injury, and other conditions.

Treatment
Treatment options for hyperhidrosis range from over-the-counter and prescription antiperspirants to surgery to interrupt the nerve causing excessive sweating.

Topical medications
For light-to-moderate hyperhidrosis, doctors will likely recommend applying a nonprescription, over-the-counter, clinical strength antiperspirant on problem areas as an initial treatment.
Prescription antiperspirants with aluminum chloride are the next step. Typically, prescription antiperspirants (Drysol, Xerac) are applied to dry skin before bedtime. Six to eight hours later, the antiperspirant should be washed off. Prescription antiperspirants may cause red, swollen and itchy skin.

Iontophoresis
A battery-powered device is used to deliver a low current of electricity to the hands or feet, and sometimes the armpits, through water-saturated wool pads. This treatment alters the outer layers of skin to prevent sweat from coming to the surface. This intense treatment can decrease sweating for several weeks. However, it is not suitable for pregnant women or people who have a pacemaker.

Oral Medications
• Anticholinergics (such as glycopyrrolate) block nerve impulses to sweat glands.
• Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (such as topiramate) inhibit sweating.
• Clonidine reduces nerve stimuli, thereby reducing sweat output.
Older types of antidepressants, such as amitriptyline, can reduce sweating and also can help patients cope with hyperhidrosis.

Surgery
If you have severe hyperhidrosis and other treatments haven't worked, surgery may be an option. Two approaches involve interrupting the nerve signal triggering excessive sweating. The other approach is to remove some sweat glands.

Read more about hyperhidrosis at
http://www.mayoclinic.org/hyperhidrosis/treatment.html


By: -eLiNA-