What is Hyperhidrosis?
Hyperhidrosis is characterized by abnormally excessive sweating, even under normal conditions without physical exercise or associated high temperatures, caused by the sympathetic nervous system.
This condition may be generalized, or occur with greater incidence in armpits, in the hands and feet, or in other parts of the body such as:
- Scalp
- Forehead
- Chest
- Back
Excessive sweating ends up interfering with patients' daily activities and, in more severe cases, causing social embarrassment.
This condition is more common than you might think. In Portugal, it's estimated that at least 500,000 people suffer from hyperhidrosis in various areas of the body.
Causes
The causes of excessive sweating can be linked to hereditary, emotional, or other pathological factors.
Primary Hyperhidrosis
This type of hyperhidrosis appears in childhood or adolescence in specific areas such as the scalp, forehead, hands, feet, or others.
Since it is impossible to determine the factor that triggers this condition, it is believed to be a hereditary characteristic.
Secondary Hyperhidrosis
We are talking about a condition of excessive sweating that generally appears in adulthood and is caused by an illness or side effect of medication.
In this case, sweating is widespread throughout the body and also occurs during sleep.
Specialist Doctor
in Sweat in other areas of the body
Prof. Doctor Sergio Sampaio
- Graduated from the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto
- PhD from the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto
- Specialist in Angiology and Vascular Surgery
- Fellow of the European Board of Vascular Surgery
English (UK)