Sweat secretion is a vital and natural function of the body. Thanks to this process, regulation of body temperature, elimination of toxins and toxins is possible. Normally, sweating begins to manifest itself actively under certain conditions. It can be physical activity or hot weather. If such discharge becomes excessive and is observed regardless of factors from the outside, we are talking about a pathological condition called hyperhidrosis. What it is?
general information
Hyperhidrosis is profuse sweating that occurs regardless of physical factors (increased motor activity, overheating). Sweating refers to a physiological process that continuously occurs in the human body and is accompanied by the release of a watery secretion. It protects a person from hyperthermia and helps maintain homeostasis. Sweat, evaporating from the surface of the skin, cools the surface of the body, while lowering its temperature.
In the body of an absolutely healthy person, such discharge increases with physical and psycho-emotional stress.
A pathological violation of the process of perspiration is expressed in its excessive amplification or reduction, as well as in a change in smell (it becomes fetid). Hyperhidrosis can be common when profuse sweating is observed on all parts of the body. Such a pathology often accompanies violations in the endocrine / nervous system, infectious diseases. Local hyperhidrosis is observed if sweating is limited to certain areas (palms, feet, axillary region).
Hyperhidrosis very often causes serious inconvenience to people, negatively affecting the quality of life. Knowing the existence of such a problem, many are constantly waiting for this to happen suddenly, at the most inopportune moment. This nervous tension further provokes active sweating. It turns out a vicious circle.
Only a qualified specialist can confirm hyperhidrosis. Photos of patients with such a diagnosis can be found in medical directories. Timely seeking help from a doctor is a guarantee of a speedy recovery. However, the patient often faces a choice of which treatment option to choose (medication, surgery, traditional medicine recipes). We will discuss this in more detail later in this article.
Main reasons
There are two types of pathology: primary and secondary hyperhidrosis. What it is? In the first case, excessive sweating can be the result of a corresponding emotional state, which is usually accompanied by sleep disturbances, nervous tension. Most often, this kind of pathology is observed during puberty. Secondary hyperhidrosis is a consequence of a malfunction of the body or the intake of certain groups of drugs. Below we list which diseases can provoke this problem:
- obesity;
- hyperthyroidism;
- neurasthenia;
- rheumatism;
- chronic diseases of an infectious nature;
- functional disorders of the central nervous system;
- sweat gland hyperplasia.
Hyperhidrosis can also be caused by external factors. These include wearing airtight shoes, clothing made from synthetic fabrics, and improper nutrition.
Types of Hyperhidrosis
Depending on the spread of this pathology on the body, general and local hyperhidrosis is distinguished. The latter, in turn, is divided into several types.
- Palmar hyperhidrosis. For representatives of the strong half, this type of pathology causes more difficulties than women, because they have to shake hands with each other every day. One thought about an upcoming meeting with colleagues or friends can be sweaty, only exacerbating palm hyperhidrosis. Treatment of this type of pathology requires an exclusively qualified approach.
- Increased sweating on the feet is also one of the varieties of this pathology. Unfortunately, this problem is most often accompanied by a very unpleasant odor, which is almost impossible to eliminate. Many drugs and special tools are sometimes powerless.
- The most severe form of this kind of deviation is head hyperhidrosis. It can develop due to many reasons: malnutrition, infectious diseases, non-observance of personal hygiene rules.
In the course of a state of increased sweating, seasonal and constant hyperhidrosis occurs. There is also an intermittent view, which has the property of periodically aggravating.
Depending on the primary cause of the development of pathology, idiopathic (occurs spontaneously) and secondary hyperhidrosis (manifests itself as a signal of many diseases).
Clinical picture
What are the signs of hyperhidrosis? What is this we have already said, now it is necessary to consider the main symptoms of this pathology.
Sweating most often develops in certain areas of the body. The skin is moist and cold, on the hands and soles there are signs of acrocyanosis.
Sweat itself does not have a characteristic odor, bacteria familiar to everyone give the aroma. They feed on sweat and multiply due to this process. Bad breath in medical practice is otherwise called bromidrosis. It can occur due to the decomposition of sweat by bacteria, or due to the release together with a liquid of substances with a characteristic aroma (sulfur, garlic, tobacco). The appearance of an unpleasant odor, coupled with hyperhidrosis, is sometimes observed with menstrual irregularities, in people with diabetes, with some types of dermatosis.
All of the above signs indicate hyperhidrosis. Treatment (patient reviews claim that the therapy includes a variety of methods and is of a long nature) may be prescribed by an appropriate specialist.
Diagnostic measures
Diagnosis of this pathology is based on the patient's specific complaints. In medical practice, quantitative and qualitative methods for assessing excessive sweating are used. The first include:
- Gravimetry A small piece of filter paper with measured weight is applied to pre-dried skin. She remains on the patient's body for a while. Then the doctor separates it, weighs it. This test allows you to estimate the amount of fluid released.
- Evapometry. The study is carried out using a special apparatus, through which you can estimate the rate of evaporation of sweat from the skin.
Qualitative diagnostic methods include the iodine starch test. Diagnosis is based on the ability of starch to change color when sweat is released on the skin treated with iodine in advance.
Patients complaining of foot or head hyperhidrosis should be referred for additional examination in order to identify more serious diseases.
Treatment of pathology should be aimed at eliminating the causes of excessive sweating. It is important to be thoroughly examined by a neurologist, therapist and endocrinologist.
Non-surgical therapy
If hyperhidrosis of the head or legs is not a sign accompanying the main disease, the following types of conservative treatment are used for its treatment:
- psychotherapy;
- drug treatment;
- antiperspirants;
- physiotherapeutic methods.
Psychotherapeutic methods, such as hypnosis, are aimed at eliminating the existing psychological problems in the patient. The ability to constantly control their own emotions and fears allows some to permanently rid themselves of such a pathology as hyperhidrosis. Reviews about this method of treatment are very diverse. Unfortunately, for many patients, consultation with a specialist is not enough to deal with the problem.
Drug therapy includes the use of a variety of drugs, depending on the severity of symptoms and the presence of contraindications. Sedatives (herbal sedatives, motherwort infusions) and tranquilizers are indicated for people with unstable central nervous system. By reducing her irritability, they help to cope with daily stress. The selection of a specific drug and its dosage should be carried out by a doctor.
With this diagnosis, treatment often begins with the use of formaldehyde-based drugs. One of the most popular gels is Formidron. However, now it is practically not used due to the high probability of mucosal irritation. “Teymurova Paste” also lost its popularity, because it needs to be used several times a day, and indelible stains on clothes are unlikely to please anyone. "Formagel" is most effective, according to people who were able to defeat hyperhidrosis. Photos of the treatment results clearly demonstrate the benefits of this tool. Moreover, it is non-toxic and does not cause allergies.
Antiperspirants have a local effect, and prevent increased sweating due to the salts of zinc, aluminum, salicylic acid present in the composition. Causing a narrowing of the excretory ducts of the sweat glands, drugs of this group block the removal of fluid to the outside. Note that ordinary antiperspirants will not help in the fight against this pathology. Special funds are needed, the cost of which sometimes reaches 2000 rubles.
Among physiotherapeutic procedures, hydrotherapy (contrast shower, coniferous-salt therapeutic baths) is very popular. It has a general strengthening effect on the central nervous system.
The combination of the above conservative methods of treatment allows you to achieve a long (1-2 months) clinical effect. Of course, this approach does not solve the problem radically. You can get rid of it forever through surgery.
Salon treatments
If excessive sweating is recommended:
- Electrophoresis and iontophoresis in hyperhidrosis - treatment through the action of current on the ion channels of the sweat glands. The limbs, on which there are problem areas, are lowered into the water, and then small electrical impulses are sent to them. This procedure is very popular due to the relatively low cost.
- Subcutaneous injections of butolinic toxin inhibit the release of acetylcholine in the nerve endings, thus blocking their activity. The doctor makes several injections on the problem area. To eliminate unpleasant sensations, a special anesthetic cream is used. The effect of such treatment manifests itself in 2-6 days, and can last for six months. Choosing this method of dealing with increased sweating, you should consider the possible side effects. These include headache, weakness throughout the body, redness on the skin.
Surgical intervention
Surgical treatment methods offered today have a certain risk, therefore, resorting to their help should be in case of failure of conservative therapy. Currently, the following methods are used to combat increased sweating, defined by specialists as hyperhidrosis:
- surgery to remove sweat glands (curettage);
- liposuction;
- sympathectomy.
Curettage is an operation for the destruction of nerve endings, and the subsequent removal of sweat glands. To more accurately determine the problem area, the patient undergoes an iodine starch test. All manipulations are performed using a local version of anesthesia. The doctor makes a small puncture on the skin, resulting in its detachment. Then the surgeon "scrapes" the cavity from the inside. Curettage is most often prescribed for increased sweating in the armpit. As complications in patients, minor bleeding and hematomas are possible, which are easily eliminated.
Liposuction is indicated for people with overweight and a diagnosis of hyperhidrosis. What is it and how is this procedure carried out? During the operation, the nerves of the so-called sympathetic trunk are destroyed, thereby suppressing the action of the nerve impulse, which is responsible for sweating. The course of the procedure and possible complications are similar to curettage. The doctor makes a small puncture on the skin, installs a special tube through it, through which the nerve endings themselves are destroyed. Axillary tissue is also excised during this procedure.
Sympathectomy is most often recommended for patients with a diagnosis of palm hyperhidrosis. Treatment guarantees a positive and lasting result. Sympathectomy has been actively used in practice since 1946. Surgical intervention is carried out under local anesthesia in an endoscopic manner. The doctor destroys the sympathetic trunk with high-frequency current or imposes a special clip on it. Both versions of the procedure are highly effective.
Hyperhidrosis of the palms, head, legs: the latest treatment methods
Modern cosmetology offers another treatment option for this pathology - SmartLipo laser technology. Previously, it was actively used in the treatment of cellulite. The influence of thermal energy by the laser on the cells of the sweat glands leads to their complete "freezing" and cessation of functions. As a result, there comes a final cure that does not require additional manipulations.
Laser hyperhidrosis treatment is possible only under local anesthesia, and is mandatory on an outpatient basis. During the procedure, a thin cannula with a laser beam at the end, which acts directly on the gland cells, is inserted under the skin through a micropuncture. Intervention is less traumatic and takes no more than 30 minutes. The likelihood of serious complications after laser treatment is almost zero.
Alternative methods of treatment
To get rid of sweating, traditional healers recommend the following recipes:
- Boric acid powder. It is necessary to rub this product daily into the skin of the palms or feet.
- Decoction of oak bark. This tool dries the skin, you can purchase it at any pharmacy. From the broth should make baths or lotions. If foot hyperhidrosis is uncomfortable, you can pour dry bark into socks and go to bed.
- Excellent in the fight against this problem, a decoction of sage. It should be used for baths. With axillary hyperhidrosis, pour the decoction into the nebulizer and periodically irrigate the skin.
Preventative measures
People who have been diagnosed with hyperhidrosis of the palms, legs, or head need to follow simple guidelines. They will help to cope with this pathological condition.
It is imperative to eat balanced. The diet should include almost equal amounts of protein, carbohydrates and fiber, and the amount of fat should be reduced. Adversely affect the process of sweating spices. It is recommended to reduce the use of caffeine, as it stimulates all metabolic processes in the body.
It is necessary to refuse alcoholic drinks and cigarettes. They disrupt the central nervous system and blood circulation, which often provokes hyperhidrosis.
The doctor may recommend sports, and on a regular basis. Dosed physical activity helps to lose weight. As you know, slender people sweat much less.
Observe personal hygiene. It is necessary to take a shower daily, change clothes.
Learning to relax is very important. The modern frantic rhythm of life does not allow the nervous system to fully relax. As a result, new diseases appear. In order to prevent the development of hyperhidrosis, it is necessary to carry out some relaxing activities daily before going to bed: reading a book, taking a bath, spending time with your loved one.
The recommendations listed above will certainly help not only prevent the development of pathology, but also prevent the appearance of other ailments. The right way of life is the key to health and longevity!