Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)

Hyper­hi­dro­sis is exces­si­ve swea­ting that goes well bey­ond what the body needs to regu­la­te its tem­pe­ra­tu­re. It main­ly affects the arm­pits, palms, soles of the feet or face. For many peo­p­le it is a con­sidera­ble bur­den in dai­ly life and at work.

Cau­ses

In pri­ma­ry hyper­hi­dro­sis, the sweat glands are healt­hy but are over­sti­mu­la­ted by the ner­vous sys­tem. It often beg­ins in child­hood or ado­le­s­cence and tends to run in fami­lies. Secon­da­ry hyper­hi­dro­sis results from ano­ther cau­se, such as an over­ac­ti­ve thy­ro­id, infec­tions, hor­mo­n­al chan­ges or medication.

Sym­ptoms

Typi­cal signs are visi­ble sweat patches and damp hands and feet, even wit­hout heat or exer­ti­on. Con­stant mois­tu­re can wea­k­en the skin bar­ri­er and encou­ra­ge infec­tions such as ath­le­te’s foot.

Tre­at­ment

A secon­da­ry cau­se is ruled out first. Alu­mi­ni­um-based anti­per­spi­rants are the first step. For the hands and feet, tap water ionto­pho­re­sis often helps. In the arm­pits, botu­li­num toxin injec­tions are effec­ti­ve, with results las­ting seve­ral months. Sur­gi­cal pro­ce­du­res are only con­side­red in sel­ec­ted cases.

Matching tre­at­ment at Swiss Der­ma Cli­nic: Exces­si­ve sweating