If you sweat much more than normal, you may have hyperhidrosis.
We all sweat. In fact, sweating is the body’s natural way of regulating your body temperature. For athletes and other physically active people, sweating is a necessary part of daily life. However, some people sweat more than normal, which can be a sign of a condition called focal hyperhidrosis.
Focal Hyperhidrosis is a skin condition that causes excessive sweating in focused areas, like hands, feet, armpits, and head. The symptoms of focal hyperhidrosis include:
-Excessive sweating in one targeted area
-Sweating soon after waking up
-Sweating on both sides of the body
-Excessive sweating at least once per week
Focal hyperhidrosis is thought to be genetic, and happens because sweat glands are overactive.
About 3% of the population suffers from hyperhidrosis, and while it isn’t life threatening or even dangerous, it is inconvenient.
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Treatments for focal hyperhidrosis include prescription antiperspirants and wipes, iontophoresis (electrical therapy), and botox, which blocks the nerve signals responsible for sweating.
If you think you may have hyperhidrosis, the first step is to get diagnosed. A doctor will take all sorts of things into account, such as family history, age of onset, sleeping issues, and duration of episodes.
So if you are concerned that you may have hyperhidrosis, don’t sweat it! Just go see a doctor and get on a treatment plan that works for you.