Hyperhidrosis and Cranial Hyperhidrosis: Causes and Treatment

Today, let's talk about hyperhidrosis. Hyperhidrosis refers to a condition characterized by excessive sweating. Hyperhidrosis can be broadly categorized into focal hyperhidrosis, where sweating occurs only in certain parts of the body, and generalized hyperhidrosis, where sweating occurs all over the body. Focal hyperhidrosis refers to sweating that occurs only in specific areas, with palmar-plantar hyperhidrosis being a typical example. Palmar-plantar hyperhidrosis refers to cases where there is excessive sweating in the hands and feet. In addition, it is common to experience excessive sweating in areas such as the armpits, face, and scalp.

Areas of Hyperhidrosis Occurrence

Sweat glands are typically abundant in areas such as the armpits, groin, hands, and feet. Consequently, these areas have a high potential for active sweat secretion and are therefore prone to hyperhidrosis. Hyperhidrosis can sometimes have a family history. Typically, if parents have hyperhidrosis, their children may also show signs of it from an early age. Hyperhidrosis can also be exacerbated by the influence of diseases or health conditions. For instance, excessive sweating can occur due to various physical conditions such as weight gain, gout, menopause, or hyperthyroidism, making it important to check one's physical health.

Causes of Hyperhidrosis

Cases where there is no specific underlying disease are referred to as idiopathic hyperhidrosis. Idiopathic hyperhidrosis typically involves excessive sweating localized to specific areas. Many individuals gradually show a tendency towards hyperhidrosis from a very young age, which then worsens, leading them to consider treatment. Approximately 3% of people are said to experience hyperhidrosis. Since hyperhidrosis does not involve pain or other secondary symptoms, individuals may not feel the need for treatment when it's mild, but severe symptoms can cause significant stress. In severe cases of hyperhidrosis, individuals may experience discomfort and anxiety, and it can also affect their interpersonal relationships.

Reasons for Sweating

Sweating is a natural physiological response. When you sweat, your body temperature decreases. If body temperature rises, sweating helps normalize it again. However, in hyperhidrosis, one can observe an underlying hypersensitive state where sweating begins with only a slight stimulus, even without significant changes in body temperature. For example, sweating might occur after minimal physical activity or during meals. It is also common to sweat excessively when concentrating or under stress.

Symptoms of Hyperhidrosis

• Palms are constantly damp or wet
• Soles of feet are constantly damp or wet
• Sweating occurs randomly and frequently
• Clothes often get wet due to sweat
• Excessive hand sweat makes shaking hands with others uncomfortable or avoided
• Body odor accompanies sweating

Struggling with Hyperhidrosis

If you experience excessive sweating in both armpits or on your hands and feet at least once a week, and no other underlying cause can be identified, it may be diagnosed as hyperhidrosis. For students, excessive hand sweat can sometimes interfere with their studies. They often worry about excessive sweating during exams, especially when concentrating or feeling nervous, which can even lead to exam papers becoming damp. Even for professionals in social life, hyperhidrosis can be a concern, making them self-conscious about how others perceive them. When symptoms are severe, hyperhidrosis is a condition that causes significant stress, even in the absence of pain.

Considerations for Hyperhidrosis

In cases of hyperhidrosis, the following situations should be considered: Is your body constitution naturally prone to heat? Sometimes, people genuinely sweat frequently to lower their body temperature because they produce a lot of heat. This typically applies to those with a slightly plump, obese physique who feel refreshed after a sauna or sweating. Conversely, there are cases where people sweat even if they don't generally produce a lot of body heat. In such instances, the body's heat balance is disrupted, leading to localized warmth in certain areas while other areas experience coldness.

My Body is Overly Sensitive

Furthermore, the sweating system can malfunction. It's similar to a fire alarm malfunctioning. There might be cases where a fire alarm goes off due to cooking smoke even when there's no actual fire. Similarly, in hyperhidrosis, even a slight stimulus can trigger sweating, despite the body not producing excessive heat. Minor stimuli such as spicy or irritating foods, emotional stress, or overwork can induce sweating. Restoring the body's heat balance and normalizing the hypersensitive sweating system is an important part of the treatment process.

Treatment of Hyperhidrosis

In hyperhidrosis treatment, there are cases where nerves that stimulate sweat glands are blocked. The problem here is that if the body's heat balance is not regulated, compensatory sweating may occur in other areas. Furthermore, if sweating does not occur properly, the body's heat may not dissipate effectively, leading to feelings of discomfort. Traditional Korean medicine (Hanbang) aims to alleviate hyperhidrosis by considering its constitutional predisposition in treatment. If hyperhidrosis is severe, avoid stimulating foods and wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes. Observing symptoms and carefully identifying factors that may trigger hyperhidrosis will also be helpful in treatment.