Wearing our fancy and favorite clothes may give off a vibe. But does it happen when marks of sweat circle around our armpits? Some people get insecurities from excessive sweating like this. Whether they do activities or not, sweat is their biggest enemy. We all know sweating is good as it cools down the body when we do activities that require our muscles to heat up; more sweating is excellent. However, too much of it is abnormal. A case like this is called hyperhidrosis, and here is how to determine if you have it. 

What is Hyperhidrosis? 

This is described to be abnormal and excessive sweating where your body’s sweat glands overact. Your body’s overactivity causes sweating that does not come from exercise or heat. This condition usually impedes normal activities and leads to much embarrassment and social anxiety. 

There are cases where a medical condition or anxiety provokes excessive sweating. Other people have a hard time controlling the symptoms, and some are ignorant that they already have them. 

What are the symptoms? 

Remember that sweating is normal, especially if you are in a hot environment, exercising, and under stress or anxiety. But if you sweat excessively, even at rest, this is much of a symptom. 

When you have focal hyperhidrosis, or the type of hyperhidrosis that affects the hands and feet, face, or underarms, this causes excessive sweating on both sides of the body. It occurs at least once a week during waking hours. 

If your heavy sweating comes with lightheadedness, nausea, or chest pain, you should see a doctor. You should pay immediate attention to the symptoms if sweating causes you social and emotional turmoil, disrupts your daily routine, experience night sweats for unknown reasons, and begin to sweat more than usual. 

If you are unsure when to get a treatment, you can observe the sweating episodes first then consult a professional when it gets worse.

What are the types of Hyperhidrosis? 

Hyperhidrosis has two types, namely generalized and focal hyperhidrosis. When you consult your professional, you can be diagnosed under the two. 

Generalized Hyperhidrosis: As mentioned earlier, generalized hyperhidrosis is a type of hyperhidrosis that another medical problem causes. Some medical conditions such as diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, low blood sugar, nervous system disorders, infections, heart attack, and menopause hot flashes can cause the body to sweat overly. Medications such as zinc supplements and naproxen trigger extra sweating as a side effect. This type of hyperhidrosis is also called secondary hyperhidrosis, common in adults. 

Focal Hyperhidrosis: If you can acquire general hyperhidrosis due to medications and medical conditions, focal hyperhidrosis is inherited. Focal hyperhidrosis or primary hyperhidrosis results from a mutation or change in your genes. It usually affects your hands and feet, armpits, and head and starts early in life (before 25). 

What are the complications for Hyperhidrosis?

There can be complications, and these are infections and emotional and social effects. People who experience extreme sweat episodes tend to be more prone to skin infections. Since abnormal sweating is somehow unpleasant and having sweat-soaked clothes is embarrassing, it might affect your confidence. Much worse if your condition is starting to affect your motivation and pursuit to face everyday life. 

Moreover, according to sources, hyperhidrosis is also associated with partial injury to the sciatic and median nerves. It can also affect any nerves. 

How is a diagnosis for Hyperhidrosis made?

As mentioned earlier, several people have difficulty opening up about their excessive sweating issues. However, bringing this up to your healthcare provider will bring relief to you in the long run. In diagnosing, your provider will assess your health history, evaluate your symptoms and raise inquiries about how often your symptoms appear. 

Aside from this, you can also conduct tests to check further if you have hyperhidrosis. Your provider can test it through what they call “Paper Test” and “Starch-iodine Test.” In a paper test, your provider will put a unique paper on the affected sites to absorb it and weigh how much you have sweated. In the starch-iodine test, your provider will apply iodine solution to your sweaty area and then sprinkle starch afterward. If the solution turns dark blue, you have excessive sweating. 

Can anyone else have hyperhidrosis, and does it smell?

Statistics show that two to five percent of people in the United States have the condition. However, this could be higher as several people do not talk about hyperhidrosis to their doctors, which is dubbed as embarrassing. In this case, it is crucial to have formal statistics of how many individuals hyperhidrosis affects. 

The sweat itself is odorless since it is made up mostly of water when it comes to odor. However, when bacteria on the skin contact sweat droplets, it produces a pungent smell and becomes a body odor. 

Can I prevent Hyperhidrosis? 

You cannot prevent hyperhidrosis if you have focal hyperhidrosis since it is hereditary and can be passed down to the family. However, you can control some cases of generalized hyperhidrosis. It would be best to get an accurate diagnosis and treatment for your case and symptoms. 

In most cases, your healthcare professional will advise you to help prevent and lessen your sweating by changing your lifestyle, oral medications like anticholinergic drugs, using clinical-grade cloth wipes to reduce armpit sweating, and taking aluminum-based antiperspirants.

What are the possible treatments for Hyperhidrosis?

If these remedies and lifestyle changes do not work, we have possible treatments for you! The Food and Drug Administration has approved Botulinum toxin A or botox as a treatment for hyperhidrosis. 

Studies show that Botulinum toxin A injections can reduce underarm sweating by 82% to 87%. According to patients, the results are noticeable about four days after treatment and eventually show full effects within two weeks. The sweating relief generally lasts from four to twelve months, while the injection has an effect lasting up to fourteen months. Professionals also claim that additional treatments are effective and safe, resulting in a better quality of life. Your provider can also use botox injections in the hands to stop hyperhidrosis. However, this can be painful, but your provider can use analgesics to help decrease discomfort and pain.

If you are experiencing hyperhidrosis or seeing symptoms to yourself, this blog is a safe space for you. But Vital Aesthetics is a safer space for you to discuss your condition. Not only will they provide you with aesthetic care, but also your overall body needs. So do not waste your time now and contact the best medical spa the United States offers. It is time to throw that sweating embarrassment away and be the best version of yourself!