Hyperhidrosis Sufferers Dread Summer Heat

It's time again for summer activities: swimming, barbecuing, outside sports, spending time with family and friends, etc. But for people who suffer from hyperhidrosis, it's time again to constantly worry about sweating. For these people, fighting to stay dry is a daily routine. They have no control over this medical condition, and most don't even know it is a medical condition. Hyperhidrosis is an abnormal increase in perspiration, in excess of that needed for body temperature regulation. People with this condition will sweat when it's cold outside, when they aren't involved in any activity, and when they are calm. Basically, they sweat all year round for no apparent reason at all. This is what makes the condition different from normal perspiration. And this is why when summer rolls around, hyperhidrosis sufferers dread the heat.

Not much is known about the cause of hyperhidrosis, but sweating is controlled by the sympathetic nervous system, or our "fight or flight" response. This part of the nervous system becomes active in times of stress, and prompts neurons to release adrenaline to ready the body for action. It's still not known if it's the over activity of the system itself or the sweat glands that produce excessive sweat in people. What is known is that this condition has a genetic pattern. Dr. Reisfeld, an experienced hyperhydrosis surgeon, found in his studies that 50% of his patients had some sort of genetic pattern. He and other researchers are constantly conducting studies and educating people about this condition. This medical condition affects millions of people around the world, about 3% of the population, but half of them have never been diagnosed or treated for their symptoms because of the lack of awareness.

Hyperhidrosis affects the quality of life for those who suffer from it. It's embarrasing, uncomfortable, and disrupts all aspects of a person's life. People with this condition sweat four or five times more than is normal, and the areas affected are mostly the hands, face, feet, and armpits. Moist hands interfere with gripping objects, and some people will refuse to shake hands with others. Facial sweat washes off sunscreen and is very noticeable to others. Excessively sweating feet may lead to foot odor and discomfort, especially when walking in sandals. And sweaty armpits tend to stain clothing, leave a tell-tale sign for others, and force people to change their shirts three or four times a day. Obviously this negatively impacts those with this condition.

So is there a cure? The answer is no. There are treatments available, but it's often a long, frustrating process to find the one that will work for you. The first step is to talk to your doctor to find the right path. There are oral medications available, though they are not recommended for long term use because of serious side effects, such as heart palpitations, blurred vision and impaired speech. Antiperspirants are most commonly used; the most effective being the ones that contain aluminum chloride hexahydrate as the active ingredient. Iontophoresis is used for those who have tried antiperspirants with no luck. This treatment uses water to conduct a mild electric current through the skin's surface to block the flow of sweat. In 2004, the FDA approved Botox as another treatment for those who needed a stronger alternative to antiperspirants. But this can be very expensive for those whose insurance won't cover the injections, and this can also be very painful. The last option is surgery, when all other options are exhausted. The next step is to connect to people like you, and stay informed. Visit the International Hyperhidrosis Society and sign up for the newsletter. You can also find clinical trials in your area (if any) to get involved in. The more research is conducted, the more developments for people like you with this condition.

In the meantime, here are some summer survival tips: 1. Don't wait until you are thirsty to drink water. Drink early, drink often, and drink again. Drink enough water to keep your body cool. 2. Wear loose, lightweight, and light-colored clothing. This will allow air to circulate around your body and enable sweat to evaporate, leaving you drier and cooler. 3. Stay out of the sun as much as you can between 10am and 4pm when the sun is at its peak. This will keep you cool and prevent sunburn to your skin. Apply waterproof sunscreen if you can't avoid the sun. 4. For those with excessive facial sweat, wear a wide-brimmed or long-billed hat. As with your clothing, be sure it's lightweight and light-colored. 5. Antiperspirants can also be used for face, feet, and hand coverage to minimize sweat.

Hyperhidrosis is a real medical condition, and for those who suffer from it, it's a serious problem. This condition affects all aspects of one's life, and unfortunately, there is no cure. Although treatments are available, the road is a long one to find the treatment that will work every time. And because there is a lack of awareness for hyperhidrosis, people aren't being diagnosed and treated. Research can only be done on those who participate willingly, so it's important to talk to your doctor if you're concerned you may have this condition.