What is Hyperhidrosis? And How Do I Know If I Have It?

Hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating, is a medical condition that affects nearly 5% of the world's population. Sweating is necessary to cool the body and prevent overheating, but people with hyperhidrosis find themselves sweating constantly or much more than is necessary to maintain body temperature.

Excessive sweating can occur on many places of the body, but the most common areas are the underarms, hands, feet, face/scalp, groin, and chest/under breasts. Excessive sweating can impact daily life and affect skin health.

You may have hyperhidrosis if:

• You experience excessive sweating at least once per week.
• Sweating impairs your daily life.
• Your first experience with excessive sweating occurred before age 25.
• Sweating decreases (or even stops) at night during sleep.
• Other members of your family also suffer from excessive sweating.

The cause of hyperhidrosis is currently unknown. What is known, however, is that the "eccrine" sweat glands overproduce sweat. Eccrine sweat is clear and odorless. In hyperhidrosis, there is no change in the "apocrine" sweat glands, which are responsible for the sweat that causes body odor.

Fortunately, there are many treatment options for people who suffer from hyperhidrosis. Topical antiperspirants should be used first. Oral medications, such as glycopyrrolate tablets, can also be used in combination with antiperspirants. At Undefined Health, we offer a complete line of prescription-strength antiperspirants specifically designed for the different areas that you may sweat. We also offer glycopyrrolate. Get started with a free online evaluation.