Beating the Heat and Hyperhidrosis

Are you suffering from excessive sweating? If you’re looking for answers, you’ve come to the right place. If you want to beat the heat and your hyperhidrosis, here are a few things you need to know.

What Is Hyperhidrosis?

First, it’s important that you fully understand what hyperhidrosis is. If you’re sweating excessively and haven’t received a diagnosis, this information could help you determine if it’s time to see a doctor. To start, sweating is a normal bodily function. Not only does it regulate body temperature, but it also helps to rid the skin of dirt and bacteria. Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis), on the other hand, is sweating that occurs on such an excessive level that it can cause physical discomfort and serious emotional distress. And more people suffer from this condition than you might think. In fact, almost 3% of the population is living with hyperhidrosis. And while excessive sweating is a subjective measure, the impacts of how much you sweat are key to diagnosing and treating this condition. So if the amount you sweat causes stress, anxiety, and even social isolation, it’s safe to classify your problem as an excessive sweating issue.

What Causes Excessive Sweating?

There are a number of factors that can contribute to the development of hyperhidrosis. Most of them are underlying conditions, which means your excessive sweating may stop once the underlying issue is treated. In some cases, excessive sweating can be attributed to hormonal changes in the body during life events such as puberty, pregnancy, and menopause. Each of these events causes major hormonal fluctuations in the body. In these instances, excessive sweating is typically a temporary issue. It’s also possible that anxiety could be contributing to your excessive sweating. Whether you’re currently under a lot of stress or you’ve been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, excessive sweating is a common symptom. Hyperthyroidism is another common underlying condition that can cause excessive sweating. This condition is the result of an overactive thyroid gland and can cause unintentional weight loss, rapid heartbeat, and increased sensitivity to heat. Thus, the sweating.

How Is Hyperhidrosis Treated?

There are a number of different ways you can treat hyperhidrosis. If the cause of your hyperhidrosis is one of the conditions mentioned above, it’s possible that prescription medication will effectively manage your condition. For example, antidepressants or anti-anxiety medication may help your excessive sweating if an anxiety or depression disorder is, in fact, the underlying cause of the problem. In other cases, you may find that a prescription antiperspirant does the trick. There are also prescription topical creams and nerve-blocking medications that can help manage excessive sweating. In the vast majority of cases, the underlying cause of your excessive sweating is what will need treatment in order to effectively manage your condition.

Living with hyperhidrosis can be challenging, especially if you’re physically and emotionally distressed by your condition. If you have more questions about this condition or you’re ready to find a treatment program, contact a doctor at SE Dermatology Specialists today.