Sweating is a normal physiological process that helps regulate body temperature. The nervous system will automatically trigger the sweat glands when the body temperature increases. When it's hot or exercising, sweat will immediately evaporate from the skin and cause a cold effect on the body. In addition, when anxious or nervous, sweat will also come out, especially on the palms of the hands. However, when the body sweats excessively while not exercising, overheating or anxious, this condition is called hyperhidrosis.

Hyperhidrosis is a condition in when person will sweat more than normal and is not related to heat or exercise. Hyperhidrosis is not dangerous, but it can cause disruption of daily activities, reduce a person's self-confidence, and cause social anxiety.

Symptoms of hyperhidrosis are characterized by sweating far exceeding normal limits. The hands, feet, armpits, face, and head are the most common areas of the body for hyperhidrosis. In fact, some people with hyperhidrosis may sweat all over the body, not just some parts of the body. People with hyperhidrosis often sweat in situations where other people do not, for example when the weather is cold. The skin in people with hyperhidrosis is also soft, white in color, or peels in certain areas, as a result of being constantly wet with sweat. In addition, a person suffering from hyperhidrosis will more often experience skin infections in parts of the body that sweat too much.

Based on the cause, hyperhidrosis is divided into two types, including primary hyperhidrosis and secondary hyperhidrosis. Primary hyperhidrosis is not caused by a medical condition and usually appears in one or more areas of the body and is most commonly the armpits, hands, feet, or forehead. Excessive sweating in primary hyperhidrosis, can also occur on both sides of the body. This condition begins to be experienced since childhood or adolescence, and becomes more frequent, especially after waking up. In contrast to primary hyperhidrosis, secondary hyperhidrosis is occurs due to a medical condition, such as diabetes, hyperthyroidism, tumors, nervous system disorders, menopause, obesity, and infections. Secondary hyperhidrosis is characterized by the whole body sweating excessively and sweating while sleeping. Sufferers usually experience this condition after adulthood. In addition, consumption of certain foods and drugs can also cause excessive sweating in secondary hyperhidrosis, such as discontinuation of opioid use.

Treatment of hyperhidrosis is based on the source of the cause. If the cause is a medical problem, treatment of the medical condition will take precedence. However, if a clear cause cannot be found, treatment focuses on controlling excessive sweating. In addition to medical treatment, several things can be done to control sweating, including bathing every day, using shoes and socks with natural ingredients, changing socks as often as possible, wearing clothes according to the activity to be carried out, and controlling stress with relaxation, such as meditation or yoga because stress can trigger sweating.

 

Medical Affairs (FH)

 

References:

Mayo clinic.2017.Hyperhidrosis https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases conditions/hyperhidrosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20367152

American Academy of Hyperhidrosis.https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/hyperhidrosis-symptoms

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