Hyperhidrosis

Embarrassed to shake hands because of sweaty hands? Afraid to remove shoes in public because of the stink you sweaty feet may raise? Getting red-faced every time you raise your arms to expose those sweat patches on the shirt or top underarms? Relax, you’ve only got hyperhidrosis and you’re not alone, at least one percent of the population is afflicted with this disorder. Let’s see what this tongue-twister of an affliction is all about.

Hyperhidrosis defined

Sweating, as you already know, is body’s way of cooling itself to maintain constant internal body temperature. However, nature makes some people overdo this perspiration thing and make them sweat excessively. This production of perspiration, beyond what is necessary to cool the body, is called hyperhidrosis. The blame for this excessive sweating can be pinned on your sympathetic nervous system that controls over five million sweat glands throughout the body, of which about two-thirds are in the hands alone!

The nerves generally initiate sweating, as and when needed, but may get “supercharged” and cause the sweat glands to release more sweat than required. Why this happens cannot be said with certainty, but researchers don’t rule out genetic causes.

The four major parts most susceptible to hyperhidrosis are face, armpits, hands and feet. In severe cases, sweat may literally drip. If you think sprinkling baby talc would help, think again. According to dermatologists, it’s one of the worst things you can do, as powder cakes up after absorbing the sweat and leave you not only clammy, but caked as well!