Approximately 2-3% of Italians suffer from excessive sweating. In 3 out of 10 cases, this condition has a genetic or hereditary cause ( primary hyperhidrosis ), while in the remaining cases ( secondary hyperhidrosis ) it may be related to underlying medical conditions or the use of certain medications.
We talked about it with Dr. Silvia Gurgone , dermatologist at Humanitas San Pio X and the Humanitas Medical Care Murat clinic in Milan.
What is sweating for?
Sweating is a physiological process regulated by the sympathetic nervous system, which aims to regulate body temperature and prevent overheating (we generally produce about half a liter of sweat per day). It can be triggered by high temperatures, physical exertion, emotional stress, or even for no apparent reason.
What causes hyperhidrosis?
In hyperhidrosis, the sweat glands in our body (about 2 million) react more intensely to stressful stimuli , creating a vicious circle that leads the person to excessive sweat secretion .
As we were saying, the causes linked to hyperhidrosis can be different:
- genetics (i.e. previous family history of hyperhidrosis)
- chronic cardiac or respiratory diseases
- diabetes
- gout
- hyperthyroidism
- side effects of some medications (such as antidepressants or blood pressure medications)
How does hyperhidrosis manifest itself?
Initially, hyperhidrosis affects the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet (the person may find themselves with wet or dripping hands) but later it tends to extend to the face and armpits , often causing situations of serious embarrassment for those who suffer from it.
How can you treat hand hyperhidrosis?
To treat hyperhidrosis, you need to undergo a specialist dermatological examination to allow the specialist to investigate the cause, for example with blood tests to rule out the presence of diabetes or a thyroid problem, and plan the appropriate therapy.
Excessive sweating can be controlled with aluminum chloride-based antiperspirant deodorants, astringents that dry out the sweat glands, or with the use of medicated wipes containing topical glycopyrrolate, which acts on the nerve fibers of the epidermis (the dermatologist will recommend the best treatment after evaluating the patient).
Furthermore, there are some precautions that can be adopted to better manage this condition, such as:
- wear loose, breathable clothing
- avoid excessive heat
- maintain a healthy weight
- learn to manage stress with relaxation techniques
- limit triggers such as alcohol, caffeine or spicy foods
- Change wet clothes frequently and take regular showers
Botulinum toxin for sweating: when is it indicated?
If the treatments described above do not provide the desired benefits, the specialist may suggest botulinum toxin injections under the armpits, palms of the hands, and soles of the feet to inhibit the release of acetylcholine and “paralyze” the sweat glands for 4-6 months (this is a repeatable treatment).
