The problem of excessive sweating
Excessive sweating doesn’t pose a serious risk to health but it can affect self-esteem, leading to psychological problems and a reduction in quality of life for sufferers.
Hyperhyidrosis
There are two forms of hyperhidrosis, one which affects only certain parts of the body, such as the feet, the face or the armpits and another which can involve the whole of the body.
Health problem
If there is no obvious cause for the problem then this is known by doctors as primary idiopathic hyperhidrosis.
But if the sweating is due to a health problem, for example, an overactive thyroid gland, then the condition is secondary hyperhidrosis.
Hyperhidrosis is not uncommon – around 1.5 million people in England have the condition. Typically, it starts while a sufferer is a teenager or a young adult. Men and women are equally affected.
Because it depends on underlying health conditions, secondary hyperhidrosis can strike at any age.
Embarrassing issue
One of the problems with treating excessive sweating is that many people are reluctant to get medical attention because they are embarrassed or believe, mistakenly, that there is no treatment available.
However, there are a number of different treatments available to control the symptoms and the outlook is generally good.
Those who have a problem with excessive sweating should contact their GP as the first step.
On to treatments >.
