This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages without signing in

Hyperhydrosis

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Hyperhidrosis is the production of sweat which is in excess of that needed for normal thermoregulation (1).

  • the condition, although it often goes unreported, can have a negative effect on quality of life
  • it may be associated with an unpleasant odour (bromhidrosis) caused by by-products of bacteria that colonise sweaty areas (1)

Hyperhydrosis can be primary (idiopathic hyperhidrosis) and secondary hyperhidrosis. Furthermore, excessive sweating in patients can be either in a localized area (focal) or over the entire body (generalized) (2)

  • primary disease is usually focal and may affect
    • axillae (73%)
    • hands (45.9%)
    • feet (41.1%)
    • scalp (22.8%)
    • groin (9.3%)
  • secondary hyperhidrosis can be generalized or focal (1,2)

Primary hyperhidrosis commonly starts during childhood or adolescence (3):

  • believed to be caused by overactive hypothalamic thermoregulation
  • commonly focal, and in 30% to 50% of cases a family history is reported
  • people with primary hyperhidrosis may find that the disease persists or improves as they age
  • is a clinical diagnosis where sweating is visible, excessive, focal, and has no apparent cause
    • further diagnostic criteria include:
      • a duration of more than 6 months and/or occurrence in at least one focal area;
      • bilateral and approximately symmetrical sweat pattern;
      • positive family history;
      • frequency of at least twice a week; interference with daily activities;
      • onset before the age of 25; and
      • cessation during sleep (unlike secondary hyperhidrosis)

Secondary hyperhidrosis can start at any age (3)

Considerations:

  • palmar hydrosis can affect manual tasks, such as writing, using tools, and playing instruments
  • plantar hyperhidrosis can ruin footwear and make the feet more prone to pompholyx or secondary bacterial or fungal infection

Reference:

  1. Benson RA, Palin R, Holt PJ, Loftus IM. Diagnosis and management of hyperhidrosis. BMJ. 2013;347:f6800
  2. Perera E, Sinclair R.Hyperhidrosis and bromhidrosis - a guide to assessment and management. Aust Fam Physician. 2013;42(5):266-9
  3. Ashton S et al. Hyperhidrosis: assessment and management in general practice. British Journal of General Practice 2024; 74 (742): 236-238. DOI: 10.3399/bjgp24X737361

Create an account to add page annotations

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.