Everybody sweats. It is normal and healthy to do so. Sweat, also known as perspiration, is liquid that is excreted from sweat glands. Perspiration makes its way out through all the little pores situated throughout the body. It is mainly made up of water and a tiny amount of ammonia, salt, urea, and sugar. Sweating is the body’s way of cooling down when it gets overly hot. But what happens when too much sweating occurs? The medical term for excessive sweating that is not necessarily brought on by exercise or hot weather is called hyperhidrosis. The abundance of sweat may be so plenty that it soaks through clothes and drips off the body liberally. There are two types of hyperhidrosis: focal and generalized. Focal hyperhidrosis is localized to certain parts of the body, like the armpits and feet. Generalized hyperhidrosis is when excessive sweating occurs throughout the entire body.
Causes of Hyperhidrosis
Millions of people suffer from hyperhidrosis. The condition typically begins in the teenage years but might already be present at birth. Stress and nervousness may contribute to excessive sweating. Hyperhidrosis can be a symptom of an underlying disease, like diabetes, gout, hyperthyroidism, some types of cancers, shingles, HIV, and menopause. Also, individuals who take certain medications, like breast cancer meds, antidepressants, pain relievers, heartburn/ reflux drugs, and asthma inhalers, may develop excessive sweating while taking these types of meds. In addition, those who are experiencing alcohol or drug withdrawals often develop hyperhidrosis as a side effect. Sometimes, hyperhidrosis is genetic and passed on from parent to child. Hyperhidrosis can be idiopathic as well. This means that there is no known cause and it just happens.
Symptoms of Hyperhidrosis
Signs of hyperhidrosis include very wet palms of the hands, clammy soles of the feet, sweating profusely, and perspiring so much it penetrates through the clothes and socks. Those who have hyperhidrosis might be susceptible to skin problems, such as fungal and bacterial infections. The sweat can even become stinky and this could be a source of embarrassment to the afflicted. They might become self-conscious and worry about what people around them think. They may socially withdraw from others and become depressed. People with hyperhidrosis often worry about their clothes being stained by sweat. They also have to constantly change their outfit to stay dry and smell pleasant. They would be unwilling to make physical contact with others. They may even choose a job where they work from home so that human interaction is limited.
Treating Hyperhidrosis
There are some effective ways to treat hyperhidrosis. Visit a doctor or skin specialist to consider the available options. A doctor can prescribe a strong antiperspirant that contains stronger versions of the materials found in the antiperspirants that can be purchased in stores. Drying topical creams and nerve-blocking medications can help alleviate excessive sweating too. It certainly wouldn’t hurt to try some home remedies either. Wear clothing that is made of natural fibers. Wool, cotton, and silk are ideal because they allow the skin to breathe and prevent sweat from staying on the skin for too long. If extra sweaty feet are an issue, consider going barefoot for as long as possible. Be sure to take a bath or shower every day to get rid of any bacteria caused by sweat. Dry every crevice of your body (particularly the armpits and in between the toes) carefully. Hyperhidrosis can be an uncomfortable condition to deal with, but with the right treatment and certain lifestyle modifications, it can be remedied.