Excessive sweating: know how to identify hyperhidrosis and how to treat it –

Sweating when doing physical activity is normal – especially on very hot days. But what about when the person suffers from excessive sweat routinely, to the point of dripping, even in banal situations where most people don’t sweat? This could be a sign of hyperhidrosis.

“It manifests itself in 1% of the population. It has a high prevalence”, explains Caio Lamunier, a dermatologist at the Brazilian Society of Dermatology and at the Hospital das Clínicas in São Paulo. “But many don’t know this because those who have the disease usually hide, that is, they avoid trigger situations”.

Excessive sweating, when can it be a problem?

According to the doctor, care is needed not to confuse hyperhidrosis with simple excessive sweat. “There is a very fine line between a more exacerbated sweating and the disease that needs to be treated. This limit is usually the functional and emotional damage it brings to the person”, says Lamunier.

That is, if the fact that you sweat a lot and routinely leads you to change your habits, withdraw from activities and isolate yourself, for example, it may be a sign that the problem needs to be addressed. According to the dermatologist, hyperhidrosis is not psychological, caused by nervousness or anxiety, as most believe. “It is a genetic disease in which there is an inadequate response of the sweat glands to routine trigger situations, such as high temperatures, stress and even low-intensity physical activities”, he says.

In general, hyperhidrosis begins to manifest in adolescence and, if not treated, remains with the person. Lamunier explains that the excessive sweat that starts in adult life or that which happens during sleep (night sweats) do not characterize hyperhidrosis. “There are other diseases that simulate this situation. If that happens, we suspect other diseases, such as some types of cancer, “he clarifies.

Different parts of the body that have sweat glands can suffer from hyperhidrosis: armpits, palms of the hands, soles of the feet, back and even the scalp. And it is possible that it happens in a localized or generalized way – it varies from case to case.

“When it is in the hands, for example, the person has difficulty handling papers and can get them wet. On the feet, it causes recurrent mycosis and causes shoes to slip. The fact is that it always brings some functional and social discomfort”, summarizes Lamunier.

How to treat hyperhidrosis

Fortunately, those who suffer from hyperhidrosis can already count on a variety of treatments to minimize discomfort and improve their quality of life. The best choice depends on the particularities of each case and should be discussed with your doctor.

Below, check out the available options listed by Fernanda Junqueira, dermatologist member of the Brazilian Society of Dermatology, American Society of Aesthetic Medicine and specialist by the Brazilian Medical Association:

Use of topical substances: in the form of a cream, it is the most affordable treatment, but it may not work for all cases. The doctor prescribes formulas that can be manipulated according to the needs of each patient. The actives create a barrier that prevents the exit of sweat through the pores. In general, a simple formula costs from R$ 200.

Botulinum Toxin: it has been the choice of 80% of doctors and patients today when it comes to cost-effectiveness. The doctor applies the substance with a needle in the affected region and, to minimize pain, the patient is given anesthesia before the procedure. It is highly effective and lasts from 10 months to a year. It costs between R$2,600 and R$4,000, depending on the professional.

Shock waves: also known as radio frequency. It’s an armpit procedure, done with braces in the dermatologist’s office. Studies show effectiveness of up to 40%. It requires eight to ten sessions and costs BRL 400 to BRL 800 per session, depending on the region of the country.

Surgical procedure: more invasive treatment, which aims to cut nerves so that they no longer carry nerve transmission to the sweat glands. Recovery is usually quick but effectiveness cannot be guaranteed, as the body may find alternative ways to sweat elsewhere in the body. It costs from R$ 8 thousand.

Conclusion

Although sweating is natural, in some cases the excessive sweat it may be a sign of hyperhidrosis, a genetic disease in which there is an inadequate response of the sweat glands to trigger situations (such as stress and low-intensity physical activity), which begins to appear in adolescence. The good news is that there are treatments for a more comfortable life. Suffer from sweating a lot? So seek an expert to find out which option is best for you.

read more

Heat and training: skin care for training in the heat
Dehydration symptoms you should watch out for
Workout to speed up metabolism at home