What is Excessive Sweating
Excessive sweating or hyperhidrosis is profuse sweating not explained by environmental circumstances or physical activity.
Types of Hyperhidrosis
Hyperhidrosis may affect any area of the body with sweat glands and can be categorized into 2 types:
- PRIMARY FOCAL HYPERHIDROSIS: excessive sweating in focused, specific body areas involving axillary (underarms), palmar (hands), plantar (feet), and truncal (torso)
- SECONDARY GENERAL HYPERHIDROSIS: excessive sweating in several non-specific body areas
Causes of Hyperhidrosis
Hyperhidrosis may occur you are genetically predisposed or have abnormally large sweat glands. Hyperhidrosis can also be caused by certain medications, metabolic disorders, and hormone changes during menopause and pregnancy.
Treatment
It is best to treat your underlying medical condition if it is causing hyperhidrosis.
- Prescription antiperspirant products: with aluminum chloride, may help control hyperhidrosis
- Oral medications: to decrease sweating and secretions
- Botox injections: neurotoxin that can temporarily reduce sweat gland activity for a few months
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