Excessive Sweating
What are the signs of excessive sweating?
A few signs of excessive sweating are obvious—clammy skin, soaked clothing, and beads of sweat dripping from the face and hands. These may be accompanied by body odour, itching, peeling skin, and even skin infections.
The medical term for excessive sweating is hyperhidrosis.
What causes excessive sweating or hyperhidrosis?
A variety of factors cause the body’s sweat glands to work overtime and result in excessive sweating. A few common causes include:
- Heat and humidity: Hot, humid weather and rigorous physical activity cause excessive sweating. This is the body’s natural way of cooling down and flushing out toxins.
- Genetics: Some people may be genetically predisposed to excessive sweating.
- Stress and anxiety: Emotional or psychological factors, such as stress, anxiety, or nervousness, can trigger hyperhidrosis.
- Hormonal imbalances: Too much sweat can also result from hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy and menopause.
- Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, obesity, thyroid dysfunction, heart disease, and infections are also responsible for hyperhidrosis.
- Medication: Some painkillers, antidepressants, and other medications cause excessive sweating as a side effect.
What are the types of hyperhidrosis?
There are two main types of hyperhidrosis:
- Primary focal hyperhidrosis: This type affects specific parts of the body such as the face, head, hands, feet, groin, or the armpits. It is the most common type of hyperhidrosis and is usually a result of malfunctioning eccrine sweat glands. It’s often inherited.
- Secondary generalised hyperhidrosis: Here, the sweating isn’t limited to a specific body part but affects the whole body. In such cases, an underlying medical condition or specific medication is usually responsible.
Based on the body part affected or the associated medical condition, the hyperhidrosis may be classified further. For example, excessive sweating of hands is called palmar hyperhidrosis. If the feet are affected, the term used is plantar hyperhidrosis.
How can I get rid of excessive sweating?
Excessive sweating may be manageable to some extent with antiperspirants, frequent showering, and breathable fabrics. However, for a more effective long-term solution, it’s best to consult a healthcare provider, who will likely suggest one of the following:
- Medication: This depends on the severity of your condition and its underlying cause. Be sure to ask about potential side effects.
- Specialised therapy: Microwave therapy, iontophoresis, and botulinum toxin injections. Botulinum toxin injections are available here at Leela Cosmedica.
- Surgery: There is a surgical option of endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS) or sweat gland removal however as with any surgery it does carry its own risks.
What happens during a consultation?
Dr. Lauren Lee is a highly professional and skilled Cosmetic Physician.
Here’s what to expect during your consultation session.
She will listen to your concerns about your skin and appearance, and proceed to examine and assess your condition.
After the examination, she will determine suitability of treatment, and discuss risks, benefits, and side effects.
Once the appropriate treatment has been decided, she will proceed with treatment and provide advice on aftercare.
Other conditions we treat
Appearance of facial lines on the forehead, around the eyes, nose, and lips as a result of ageing.
Facial sagging or laxity
Loss of firmness in the skin around the cheeks, jawline, and neck due to decreased collagen production.
Gradual loss of fullness of the facial tissues around the temples, cheeks, under-eye area, and lips due to ageing.
Sagging or bulging of the chin due to accumulation of fat beneath the chin and jawline.
Acne scarring
Permanent marks or indentations left on the skin as a result of persistent acne lesions.
Eye bags
Puffiness or swelling under the eyes leading to a tired or aged appearance.
Under-eye dark circles
Darkening of the skin under the eyes, may be accompanied by puffiness.
Hair loss
Alopecia areata is the partial loss of hair from the scalp, in both men and women.
Excessive sweating
Hyperhidrosis is extreme and unnecessary sweating in the underarms.
Gummy smile
Excessive gingival display, where a large portion of gums is visible when smiling.
Upper lip lines
Premature vertical wrinkles above the upper lip due to ageing and loss of elasticity and collagen.
Teeth & jaw clenching
Bruxism is involuntary grinding, gnashing, or clenching of teeth typically during sleep.
Marionette lines
Lines that form at the outer corner of the mouth down to the chin; as a result of ageing and loss of collagen.
Neck, chest & décolletage
Accelerated skin ageing in the neck, chest, and around the collarbone area; usually due to sun exposure.
Sagging or drooping skin along the lower jawline often the result of ageing and loss of skin elasticity.
Ageing hands
Visible signs of ageing on the back of hands, including thinning skin, loss of fat, age spots, wrinkles, and creases.
Clinic Location
Leela Cosmedica clinic provides wrinkle smoothening treatments, facial volume enhancement, double chin reduction, collagen-stimulating therapy, facial slimming, and treatments for teeth grinding.
To get in touch with us, please call the clinic.