Symptoms
- Sweating disrupts your daily routine.
- Sweating causes emotional distress or social withdrawal.
- You suddenly begin to sweat more than usual.
- You experience night sweats for no apparent reason.
In this post
Can hyperhidrosis be self diagnosed?
Self-Checks/At-Home Testing
There are questionnaires designed to help a person who is experiencing excessive sweating to determine whether the sweating is problematic, or simply normal sweating.
What does hyperhidrosis feel like?
Hyperhidrosis is a common condition in which a person sweats excessively. The sweating may affect the whole of your body, or it may only affect certain areas. Commonly affected areas include the: armpits.
What can trigger hyperhidrosis?
In hyperhidrosis, certain sweat glands work overtime for no apparent reason, producing sweat that you don’t need. Focal hyperhidrosis commonly results from: Certain odors and foods, including citric acid, coffee, chocolate, peanut butter and spices. Emotional stress, especially anxiety.
What age do you get hyperhidrosis?
Hyperhidrosis tends to begin between the ages of 14 and 25 for most people with the condition. However, symptoms can begin much earlier as eccrine sweat glands, which become overactive in those with hyperhidrosis, are present and functional at birth.
How common is hyperhidrosis?
Hyperhidrosis is rare, affecting about 1 percent of the population. However, for those affected, the condition often interferes with their daily activities and can be rather embarrassing in social situations.
Is hyperhidrosis a disability?
Hyperhidrosis is a social, emotional and occupational disability which affects close to 3 % of the population.
Do I have Hypohidrosis?
Hypohidrosis, sometimes called anhidrosis, is when your body has trouble cooling down by sweating. Typically when you get hot, your sweat glands make perspiration (sweat) that evaporates from your skin and takes heat with it.
Does hyperhidrosis make you smell?
A condition called hyperhidrosis makes a person sweat excessively. People with this condition may be more susceptible to body odor because they sweat so much, but it’s often the eccrine sweat glands that cause the most discomfort with sweaty palms and feet.
Is hyperhidrosis genetic?
So yes, hyperhidrosis is thought to be a reflection of inherited genetic traits. So if you have a parent with hyperhidrosis, the odds are higher that you will too. Researchers even believe that hyperhidrosis is a dominant trait, increasing the chances that it will be inherited.
How do you fix hyperhidrosis?
Treatment
- Prescription antiperspirant. Your doctor may prescribe an antiperspirant with aluminum chloride (Drysol, Xerac Ac).
- Prescription creams.
- Nerve-blocking medications.
- Antidepressants.
- Botulinum toxin injections.
How can I cure my hyperhidrosis naturally?
Natural remedies to treat hyperhidrosis may include herbal substances such as sage tea or sage tablets, chamomile, valerian root, and St. John’s Wort. Acupuncture, biofeedback, hypnosis, and relaxation techniques have also been suggested as potential treatments.
What are the different types of hyperhidrosis?
There are two types of hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating): primary hyperhidrosis and secondary hyperhidrosis. Primary hyperhidrosis is usually inherited, which means one of your family members may have had it. Primary hyperhidrosis begins in childhood and worsens with puberty, especially in women.
Who is most likely to get hyperhidrosis?
Hyperhidrosis affects approximately 4.8% of Americans. Primary hyperhidrosis, a specific classification of the disease, primarily affects younger adults aged 18 to 39 years, and it often has a genetic component. Living with hyperhidrosis presents many challenges and impacts numerous aspects of daily life.
What kind of doctor treats hyperhidrosis?
Dermatologists are generally the best doctors for treating excessive sweating that’s not controlled by OTC products. They are usually more familiar with hyperhidrosis treatment, especially when sweating is severe. Depending on your insurance, you may need a referral to a dermatologist from your regular doctor.
Does hyperhidrosis affect fertility?
In the confusing world of fertility, where do hot flashes and night sweats belong? From a Western medical point of view, these problems have no influence on the success of conception.
Is hyperhidrosis normal?
Sometimes excessive sweating is a sign of a serious condition. Seek immediate medical attention if your heavy sweating is accompanied by lightheadedness, chest pain or nausea. See your doctor if: Sweating disrupts your daily routine.
What causes teen hyperhidrosis?
The cause of hyperhidrosis is not known, although some experts believe it may be tied to overactive sweat glands or genetics. Diagnosing the condition involves a physical exam, including a starch iodine test. Iodine is applied to the sweaty areas (armpits, hands or feet), followed by the application of starch.
Can you outgrow hyperhidrosis?
Mahtabifard says that while the condition is most likely present at birth, hyperhidrosis becomes really noticeable and problematic at puberty, when children start texting and touching. It affects both boys and girls evenly, and they do not outgrow it.
Is hyperhidrosis a mental disorder?
Excessive sweating, or hyperhidrosis, can also happen as a symptom of social anxiety disorder. In fact, according to the International Hyperhidrosis Society, up to 32 percent of people with social anxiety experience hyperhidrosis.
Can you join the military with hyperhidrosis?
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) considers hyperhidrosis a qualifying disability for veterans benefits. Unfortunately, this does not make obtaining hyperhidrosis veterans benefits easy or straightforward. If you received a denial of disability benefits for hyperhidrosis, do not lose hope.