Excessive Sweating

Hyperhidrosis is a chronic disorder of excessive sweating that can affect any body part, including the underarms, the palms, the soles of the feet, and the face. Visit the Sweating. CA web site to find out more.

About Sweat Glands:

Sweat Glands - Introduction
There are between 2 and 4 million sweat glands found across the human body. These are coiled tubular glands that are found in the dermis or lower part of the skin...

Eccrine Sweat Glands
Have a wide distribution, all across the body, especially in the hands, feet and forehead. They consist of ducts, which are a downward budding of the skin and secretory coils deep in the skin, which create the sweat...

Apocrine Sweat Glands
Have a more limited distribution, but are found in the following areas; Axilla (underarm), Perianal (near the anal area)...

Excess Sweating/Hyperhidrosis:

Hyperhidrosis - Definition
Hyperhidrosis is the excessive production of sweat. There are many forms of hyperhidrosis and this condition affects a large portion of the general population. Primary focal hyperhidrosis (PFHH) is the most common form of hyperhidrosis and is defined as excessive sweating, not caused by...

Causes of Hyperhidrosis
The cause of hyperhidrosis is based upon the origin of the stimulus causing the sweating response. These triggers may come from the...

Medical Treatments:

Treatment of Hyperhidrosis
Hyperhidrosis is difficult to treat and there are a number of topical, pharmaceutical, electochemical and surgical therapies available. Recently, therapy, which involves the local injection...

Topical Treatments
Aluminum salt solutions are the most common antiperspirants in use today. Aluminum chloride is the partially neutralized form that is used in cosmetic antiperspirants, while aluminum chloride hexahydrate is the widely used effective antiperspirant and is available in products such as...

Tap-Water Iontophoresis (TWI)
In cases where antiperspirants are not effective, a physician may recommend Tap Water Iontophoresis for the treatment of palm or foot hyperhidrosis. In medical terms, iontophoresis is the...

Systemic Medications
Anticholinergic medications are sometimes effective in hyperhidrosis but the dosages required to reduce sweating can cause unpleasant side effects such as, dry mouth, bloating, sensitivity to light and urinary retention. Most patients with hyperhidrosis cannot...

Neuromuscular Blocking Agents
These agents block acetylcholine and inhibit the transmission of nerve impulses that trigger sweating. Botulinum toxin (Botox®) is injected under the skin and produces a sustained, localized decrease in sweating. It may...

Surgical Measures
Surgical removal of the subcutaneous tissue (and the sweat glands) in the axillae can eliminate sweating in that area. This type of surgery has been the traditional approach for axillary hyperhidrosis that does not respond well to other therapies...

Treatment Options
Depending on the location of the hyperhidrosis and the patient's needs, the physician will consider various treatment options based upon the following therapeutic ladder for localized primary hyperhidrosis, with the preferred treatment options listed first...

Articles about Excessive Sweating (Hyperhidrosis)

Suffering from Excess Sweat? Discover Your Treatment Options.
It is sometimes said that men perspire, and ladies 'glow' - but for many, male or female, excess sweating is a medical condition which has in the past been difficult to control. Approximately 2-3% of the population suffers from excess sweating, also known as hyperhidrosis...

Have a "No-Sweat" Wedding - Treatment options to Plan Ahead
BOTOX® can be used to reduce sweating on any part of the body. The most commonly treated areas include the armpits, and the palms and soles...

No Sweat! A New Way To Control Excessive Sweat
Almost every one sweats as a normal reaction to stress such as heat and exercise. However, some people sweat excessively underarms, on the hands or the feet, causing severe social and psychological embarrassment...