ABSTRACT:
Hyperhidrosis, defined as excessive sweating that exceeds the body’s thermoregulatory needs, affects the lives of many millions of people around the world, and has findings that are more than what is ordinarily expected in profuse sweating. With such a large number of people affected, it continues to be misunderstood and underdiagnosed, which adds even more burden on those individuals. The purpose of this article is to provide a brief overview of hyperhidrosis, including what it is, how it is classified, what causes it, common complications and other symptoms, how it is diagnosed, and its treatment options. Hyperhidrosis is divided into primary and secondary hyperhidrosis. Primary hyperhidrosis generally is localized to certain body areas of excessive sweating, which is known as a focal hyperhidrosis. Secondary hyperhidrosis is where the hyperhidrosis is generally caused or associated with a health condition or medications. There are common triggers, including genetics, hormones, neurogenic, and environmental triggers. Excessive sweating can lead to other complications like physical discomfort and skin complications, but it also affects one’s emotional well-being, social interactions, and ability to work in their profession; social isolation, anxiety, a loss of self-worth socially, work and job interactions, and finally a fear of exposure and scrutiny by others.
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