Hyperhidrosis, more commonly referred to as excessive sweating, is a condition that causes heavy sweating, even when you have not been exercising or feel particularly warm. Since November is Hyperhidrosis Awareness Month, we thought it a great time to dig into what causes this more-common-than-you-think condition and how to treat it.
What Causes Excessive Sweating?
Hyperhidrosis can be caused by genetics, known as primary hyperhidrosis, or as a result of certain medical conditions or medications, known as secondary hyperhidrosis. Primary hyperhidrosis happens when nerve signals tell sweat glands to “turn on” even when not needed. This often results in heavy sweating under the arms, but can also affect the palms of your hands and soles of your feet.
Some medical conditions that can cause excessive sweating include:
- Diabetes
- Thyroid disorders
- Nervous system disorders
- Menopause hot flashes
- Infections
Over 15 million people in the US alone struggle with excessive sweating.
How Is Hyperhidrosis Treated?
Fortunately, there are now FDA-approved treatment options for hyperhidrosis. One of the best-known treatments for excessive sweating is non-surgical miraDry®. MiraDry uses thermal energy (heat) to disable targeted sweat glands — but don’t worry, treatment won’t affect sweat glands in other areas of your body, so you’ll still be able to cool down when needed. Even better still, this treatment can be effective at virtually any age.
Other hyperhidrosis treatments include prescription-strength antiperspirants or wipes, prescription medications and BOTOX® injections.
To learn more about your hyperhidrosis treatment options, call our Plymouth office today at 612-213-1111 or contact us online and schedule an appointment to speak with one of our skin care experts.
