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$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.