$Unique_ID{BRK03840} $Pretitle{} $Title{Hyperhidrosis} $Subject{Hyperhidrosis Bromhidrosis Hemihyperhidrosis Excessive Perspiration Excessive Sweating } $Volume{} $Log{} Copyright (C) 1986, 1992 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. 216: Hyperhidrosis ** IMPORTANT ** It is possible the main title of the article (Hyperhidrosis) is not the name you expected. Please check the SYNONYMS listing to find the alternate names and disorder subdivisions covered by this article. Synonyms Bromhidrosis Hemihyperhidrosis Excessive Perspiration Excessive Sweating General Discussion ** REMINDER ** The information contained in the Rare Disease Database is provided for educational purposes only. It should not be used for diagnostic or treatment purposes. If you wish to obtain more information about this disorder, please contact your personal physician and/or the agencies listed in the "Resources" section of this report. Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) may be confined to certain areas of the body or may affect the entire body. When the entire body is affected the eccrine sweat glands cause the problem, while the localized type is produced by apocrine sweat glands. When Hyperhidrosis is localized it usually affects the palms, soles, underarms, the area under the breasts, or the groin. Symptoms Hyperhidrosis is characterized by excessive sweating, either over the entire body or on the palms, soles, armpits (axilla), the area under the breasts, or the groin area. Onset usually occurs in childhood or during puberty. The skin in the affected areas is often pink or bluish white. In severe cases the skin, especially on the feet, may be softened by the moisture (macerated), cracked, or scaling. The perspiration may have a bad odor (Bromhidrosis). This odor is caused by a chemical breakdown of the sweat and cellular debris by bacteria and yeasts. Generalized Hyperhidrosis, which affects the entire body, frequently accompanies fever. Hyperhidrosis sometimes improves spontaneously around the age of 25 years. Causes Improper functioning of endocrine glands such as the thyroid (hyperthyroidism), pituitary gland, or occasionally a central nervous system disorder, may cause generalized Hyperhidrosis. The cause of localized Hyperhidrosis is not known. This type of excessive sweating usually occurs in otherwise normal individuals. Hyperhidrosis of the palms and soles may be triggered by emotion or exercise. As with normal sweating, Hyperhidrosis may be precipitated by heat, either from outside the body or from a fever. The sweating may also be caused by illnesses or disorders such as infection, diabetes mellitus, tumors, gout, menopause and alcohol intoxication. Certain foods such as garlic may cause the odor of the perspiration (Bromhidrosis) to intensify. For more information on Hyperhidrosis, see "Sweating It Out: The Problem of Perfuse Perspiration" in the Prevalent Health Conditions/Concerns area of NORD Services (RDB-10). Related Disorders Frey's Syndrome (Gustatory Hyperhidrosis) is a type of excessive sweating triggered by eating or drinking spicy foods and beverages. This type of hyperhidrotic attack may occur in otherwise healthy people, especially on the face. Frey's Syndrome can sometimes be caused by a tumor, mumps, or surgery to the salivary gland near the ear (the parotid salivary gland). This may be due to dysfunction of common sympathetic nerves projecting to both the salivary glands and affected sweat glands. Thus sweating rather than salivating may occur. (For more information, choose "Frey" as your search term in the Rare Disease Database.) Affected Population Onset of Hyperhidrosis is usually during childhood or adolescence. The disorder affects both males and females from all ethnic groups equally. Therapies: Standard For people who have Hyperhidrosis of palms and soles (palmar-plantar type Hyperhidrosis), wearing cotton socks and shoes that let air circulate is helpful in preventing overheating of the feet. Rotating shoes daily is also recommended. The use of medicated powder that inhibits bacterial growth and absorbs moisture may be helpful. Cornstarch is not recommended. For persistent cases of Hyperhidrosis, several topical agents (e.g., aluminum chloride in ethyl alcohol) may be prescribed by a dermatologist. Menopausal sweating is usually treated with estrogen. Anticholinergic drugs may also be prescribed in severe cases for short term treatment of Hyperhidrosis. However, side effects such as dry mouth, drowsiness, and constipation often make use of these drugs problematic. In the most extreme and disabling cases surgical removal of the sweat glands from the armpits may be performed. However, scarring may occur as a result of the operation. Another surgical procedure to treat the most severe cases of Hyperhidrosis is severing of the sympathetic nerve that connects the sweat glands to the central nervous system (sympathectomy). However, the excessive sweating never disappears completely, and a fair amount of patients have recurrences of hyperhidrotic symptoms. Horner's Syndrome, in which nerve paralysis results in drooping of the eyelids, may be a complication of sympathectomy. Biofeedback has been used with varying degrees of success in some cases. A patient can learn to exert control over a physical function such as sweating with a biofeedback machine that monitors and registers the effects of that function. Therapies: Investigational A device that uses iontophoresis, in which charged atoms (ions) are electrically driven into the skin, is being used experimentally to treat Hyperhidrosis. This disease entry is based upon medical information available through August 1992. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder. Resources For more information on Hyperhidrosis, please contact: National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) P.O. Box 8923 New Fairfield, CT 06812-1783 (203) 746-6518 National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse Box NDDIC Bethesda, MD 20892 (301) 468-6344 References SWEATING IT OUT: THE PROBLEM OF PROFUSE PERSPIRATION: Dixie Farley; FDA Consumer (December 1985-January 1986). Pp. 21-25.