Hyperhidrosis

Hyperhidrosis or more commonly known as excessive sweating of the armpits, is the most frequent location of the disease (2.8% of the population). It usually begins to manifest itself in adolescence, with hormonal development. Fortunately, most of the time without odor, although some patients have an intense odor, secondary to their perspiration.

Those who suffer from excessive underarm sweating are forced to choose the color of the clothes they wear (black or white), the type of fabric, and they often change their shirt in the course of the day.

Excessive perspiration of the face and/or head is the result of an overactivity of the sympathetic nervous system, an overactivity that cannot be consciously controlled.

Face Hyperhidrosis or of the whole head usually begins in youth or adulthood. Extremely uncomfortable and annoying when exposed to third parties or in the development of social or work activity. At the moment that perspiration is triggered, attention is focused more on the sweat than on the reason for the meeting. Generally, those who suffer from hyperhidrosis of the face are forced to use a handkerchief to dry themselves frequently. Perspiration is exacerbated and worsens in the heat or in closed environments.

The greeting or handshake is one of the most uncomfortable moments for those who have palmar hyperhidrosis.

Just anticipating the situation makes things worse, causing perspiration to increase. But not only the greeting is a major annoyance, writing, taking objects or papers, touching another, dancing, etc; It is experienced as a trauma. Excessive perspiration of the hands begins in childhood, usually associated with perspiration of the feet. It is caused by overstimulation of the sympathetic nerve.

There are different ways of treating hyperhidrosis or excessive sweating:

• Iontophoresis: consists of the passage of a current through a specially designed device that is placed under the armpit. Its application for 30 minutes, several times a week, makes its use impractical. The mechanism of action is not clear. Its results are limited.
• Anticholinergic and/or sedative drugs: can be used in cases of mild perspiration. The use of medication is limited, since the doses required to reduce perspiration are accompanied by unwanted side effects.
• Injections in the area to be treated: it achieves that 1 cm around the application does not perspire. It requires multiple injections. The effect lasts 4 months on average.
• Surgery: endoscopic thoracic sympathicotomy and axillary curettage Thoracic sympathicotomy is used when patients also sweat their hands. Curettage is performed under local anesthesia. Through a small incision in the armpit, the branches of the sympathetic nerve are severed with a cannula. It is still an operation and like all operations it can have risks and complications.