What is hyperhidrosis?

Hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating or perspiration. Thoracic surgery specialists explain that it can occur in a single area or be generalized.

What causes hyperhidrosis?

There are two types of hyperhidrosis: primary hyperhidrosis, when it occurs without apparent cause, or secondary hyperhidrosis, when the cause is known.

Primary hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating with no apparent cause. It occurs mainly in women in the areas of the palms of the hands, soles of the feet and armpits.

When sweating occurs in a localized area, the causes are usually emotional, due to physical exercise, heat or fever. It can also occur in times of anxiety, excitement, anger or fear.

Taste sweating occurs around the lips and mouth when hot or spicy foods or beverages are ingested.

Compensatory sweating is the appearance of intense sweating after sympathectomy. Generalized sweating affects practically the entire body surface.

On the other hand, secondary hyperhidrosis is caused by endocrine disorders, tumors or infections, among others.

Hyperhidrosis: diagnosis

By asking the patient a series of questions and verifying the hyperhidrosis, the diagnosis is simple although it can always be confirmed with the performance of certain tests. It is advisable to perform a blood test to rule out diseases such as diabetes or leukemia, as well as to evaluate the function of the thyroid gland.

When the doctor examines a patient, sweating is usually present as the patient is often nervous. Clothes may be wet. In addition, the palms of the hands and soles of the feet have a pale coloration and, in very severe cases, there may be maceration and cracking. As a consequence of hyperhidrosis there is usually emotional stress (vicious circle) and social isolation, to a greater or lesser degree.

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The diagnosis of primary hyperhidrosis is clinical. The usual laboratory tests can help to rule out pathologies that produce secondary hyperhidrosis.