Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition characterized by excessive activity of the sweat glands, exceeding the physiological need to regulate body temperature. This condition can occur even without a trigger such as exercise or hot weather.
Hyperhidrosis can affect the whole body or only certain areas such as the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, armpits and face. Although it can be experienced by anyone, this condition most often occurs in children and teenagers.
Although it does not directly endanger health, hyperhidrosis can have significant psychological impacts on sufferers, including embarrassment, stress, depression and anxiety. For more information about hyperhidrosis and its treatment, let's look at some frequently asked questions in this article.
Common Questions About Hyperhidrosis
Here are ten frequently asked questions regarding hyperhidrosis:
1. What is Hyperhidrosis?
Hyperhidrosis is a condition where sweat production is excessive, and is not related to physical activity or air temperature. People with this disorder feel that their clothes get wet quickly and their palms often sweat. Apart from interfering with daily activities, hyperhidrosis can also reduce the sufferer's quality of life. This is caused by feelings of anxiety and shame.
Hyperhidrosis can affect social and professional interactions, resulting in sufferers often avoiding physical contact and social situations. To manage this condition, it is important to consult a medical professional who can offer a variety of treatment options, ranging from topical therapies to more intensive medical procedures.
2. What are the Main Causes of Hyperhidrosis?
The main causes of hyperhidrosis depend on the type. For primary hyperhidrosis, it is not yet known for certain, but genetic factors play an important role. Primary hyperhidrosis generally occurs on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, and sometimes on the face. Meanwhile, the causes of secondary hyperhidrosis are certain medical conditions, such as the use of certain drugs, diabetes, menopause, low blood sugar levels, hyperthyroidism, heart attacks, infectious diseases, cancer, tuberculosis, Parkinson's and stroke. Secondary hyperhidrosis can cause sweating all over the body.
Primary hyperhidrosis often begins in childhood or adolescence and continues into adulthood. Meanwhile, secondary hyperhidrosis usually appears in adulthood and is often a symptom of an underlying medical condition. Therefore, proper diagnosis is essential to determine the primary cause of hyperhidrosis and the most effective treatment. Consultation with a specialist doctor is highly recommended to get appropriate treatment.
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3. What are the Common Symptoms of Hyperhidrosis?
There are various common symptoms of hyperhidrosis, including visible profuse sweating, sweating when the air is not hot, sweating not after strenuous exercise, difficulty opening doors or holding a pen because hands are wet with sweat, skin becomes soft, white, or peels off. certain areas due to being continuously wet with sweat, and infections in parts of the body that sweat too much.
Additionally, people with hyperhidrosis often feel uncomfortable and lack confidence in social or professional situations because of this condition. Common symptoms of hyperhidrosis can also cause sleep disturbances and difficulty in carrying out daily activities. It is important to consult a doctor if these symptoms begin to interfere with the quality of life, as there are various treatment methods that can help control this condition, such as drug therapy, the use of special antiperspirants, or other medical procedures.
4. How is Hyperhidrosis Diagnosed?
To diagnose hyperhidrosis, the doctor will ask questions regarding the symptoms experienced, the age when the complaint first appeared, and the patient's and family's medical history. After that, the doctor will perform a thorough physical examination. This examination includes observing areas of the body that often sweat excessively. In addition, the doctor may perform additional tests such as a thermoregulatory sweat test or a starch-iodine test to measure the level of sweat production.
In some cases, blood tests or urine tests may also be performed to rule out other possible causes such as thyroid disorders or diabetes. All of these steps are important to ensure an accurate diagnosis and determine appropriate treatment. Thus, how to diagnose hyperhidrosis requires a comprehensive and detailed approach to provide the best treatment for patients.
5. Can Hyperhidrosis be Cured?
Basically, hyperhidrosis can be minimized in several ways. These methods vary, ranging from the usual to the more aggressive. One of them is autonomic nerve surgery which is usually carried out by specialist surgeons. Apart from that, it is also said that hyperhidrosis can be treated by injecting botulinum toxin or using a laser to shrink the sweat glands. This doesn't mean it can be done quickly and without side effects, this kind of action still requires consideration by a specialist doctor.
In fact, every operation and surgical procedure certainly has a risk of side effects. Therefore, every time you want to carry out treatment or medical action on the body, you need to consult a specialist first. In cases of hyperhidrosis, it usually starts with finding out the causal factors and whether this condition really interferes with the patient's activities so that it must be followed up with surgery.
In addition to medical interventions, there are also non-invasive approaches that can help manage hyperhidrosis symptoms. For example, the use of strong antiperspirants containing aluminum chloride, iontophoresis therapy, and the use of oral medications that can help reduce sweat production.
Although hyperhidrosis can be cured or at least minimized, it is important for patients to discuss with a specialist the best option for their condition. With the right approach and in-depth consultation, hyperhidrosis can be treated effectively, providing a better quality of life for sufferers.
6. How to Prevent Hyperhidrosis?
Hyperhidrosis can be prevented depending on the cause. If hyperhidrosis is due to certain health conditions such as diabetes, treating diabetes can help prevent hyperhidrosis. If hyperhidrosis is caused by a psychological condition, such as nervousness and anxiety, behavioral therapy can help reduce excessive sweat production.
Apart from that, there are several ways to prevent hyperhidrosis that can be applied. Using an antiperspirant that contains aluminum chloride can help reduce sweat production. Maintaining body hygiene by bathing regularly and wearing clothing that absorbs sweat can also be a preventive measure. Avoiding spicy foods and caffeinated drinks, which can trigger excessive sweating, is also highly recommended. Consulting a doctor to get appropriate advice and treatment according to individual conditions is also an important step in preventing hyperhidrosis.
7. When Should I Consult a Doctor about Hyperhidrosis?
In some cases, excessive sweating can be a sign of a serious medical condition. Immediately go to the doctor or nearest emergency room if excessive sweating is accompanied by nausea, chest pain, and dizziness or feeling like you are going to faint. You also need to see a doctor if you experience the following conditions:
- Sweat comes out more than usual
- Sweat comes out at night without any trigger
- Excessive sweating interferes with daily activities
- Excessive sweating causes emotional stress or disruption to social life,
- And sweat comes out a lot and is accompanied by drastic weight loss.
Additionally, it is important to consult a doctor about hyperhidrosis if you experience recurrent skin infections due to excessive sweating or if you feel uncomfortable with this condition. Doctors can help determine the cause and provide appropriate treatment to improve your quality of life. Remember, timely medical consultation can prevent further complications.
8. Hyperhidrosis is a Sign of What Disease?
People with sensitive nerve conditions are usually at greater risk of experiencing primary hyperhidrosis. When you feel stressed or nervous, this will increase sweat production on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, and sometimes the face. Secondary hyperhidrosis, on the other hand, is often caused by certain medical conditions. Risk factors include diseases such as diabetes, menopause, thyroid problems, low blood sugar, some types of cancer, heart attack, nervous system disorders, certain infections, and taking certain medications.
What disease hyperhidrosis is a sign of can be a complex question, as this condition can be a symptom of a variety of health problems. Therefore, it is important to consult a medical professional for proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Identifying the underlying cause of hyperhidrosis is a crucial first step in determining effective treatment and reducing the impact of this condition on a patient's quality of life.
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9. What Causes the Palms and Feet to Sweat Often?
If you have experienced it, this condition could be a symptom of hyperhidrosis. Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition that causes a person to sweat excessively. A person who has hyperhidrosis sweats excessively on several parts of the body, such as the palms of the hands, soles of the feet and armpits. Generally hyperhidrosis is not dangerous, but this condition makes sufferers less confident.
The causes of frequently sweating palms and feet can vary, ranging from genetic factors to disorders of the nervous system that regulates sweat. Some people may have this condition from birth, while others may experience it in response to stress or high environmental temperatures. It is important to consult a doctor if you experience these symptoms, so you can determine the cause and get appropriate treatment. Therapy such as special antiperspirants, iontophoresis, or even certain medical procedures can be a solution to treat hyperhidrosis.
Watch the video “Sweaty Hands and Feet, This Is What You Should Be Aware Of!”
10. What Should People with Hyperhidrosis do?
If you feel excessive sweat production even though it is not hot, go to the nearest hospital to determine the cause of your excessive sweating. The condition of hyperhidrosis can be treated in several ways so that sufferers can feel more comfortable when doing activities. Medication can be used to treat excessive sweating.
Apart from several actions that can be taken by medical staff, you can do simple methods at home so that you can treat hyperhidrosis independently at home, such as:
- Avoid consuming foods or drinks that make you sweat, such as spicy food and alcohol
- Regular use of antiperspirant
- Avoid tight clothing made from artificial fibers, such as nylon
- Use underarm protectors that can absorb sweat
- Use socks that absorb sweat and change them every day
- Wear leather shoes and wear different shoes every day
- If your hyperhidrosis is triggered by anxiety, immediately seek treatment from a mental health professional to treat anxiety
These are some common questions about hyperhidrosis. If you suffer from hyperhidrosis, change your lifestyle to be more comfortable when doing activities. Always consume healthy and nutritious food to avoid various health problems.
References:
https://www.halodoc.com/kesehatan/hiperhidrosis
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