Hyperhidrosis - what is it? Hyperhidrosis of the palms, head, legs: treatment

The allocation of sweat is a vital and natural function of the body. It is thanks to such a process that it is possible to regulate body temperature, eliminate toxins and toxins. Normally, sweating begins to actively manifest itself under certain conditions. This can be physical activity or hot weather. If such discharges become redundant and are observed independently of external factors, it is a pathological condition called hyperhidrosis. What it is?

general information

Hyperhidrosis - profuse sweating, which occurs regardless of physical factors (increased motor activity, overheating). By sweating is understood the physiological process, continuously occurring in the human body and accompanied by the release of watery secretions. It protects a person from hyperthermia and helps maintain homeostasis. Sweat, evaporating from the surface of the skin, cools the surface of the body, while lowering its temperature.

In the body of an absolutely healthy person, such discharge increases with physical and psychoemotional load.

Pathological violation of the process of sweating is expressed in excessive increase or decrease, as well as in the change of odor (becomes fetid). Hyperhidrosis may be common, when profuse sweating is observed on all parts of the body. Such pathology often accompanies disturbances in the endocrine / nervous system, infectious diseases. Local hyperhidrosis is observed in the event that sweating is limited to certain areas (palms, feet, axillary region).

Hyperhidrosis very often causes serious inconvenience to people, negatively affecting the quality of life. Knowing about the existence of such a problem, many are in constant expectation that this can happen suddenly, at the most inopportune moment. This nervous tension even more provokes active sweating. It turns out a vicious circle.

Only a qualified specialist can confirm hyperhidrosis. Photos of patients with this diagnosis can be seen in medical reference books. Timely recourse to a doctor is a guarantee of a speedy recovery. However, it is not uncommon for the patient to choose which type of therapy to choose (medication, surgery, prescriptions for traditional medicine). We will discuss this in more detail later in this article.

Main reasons

There are two types of pathology: primary and secondary hyperhidrosis. What it is? In the first case, excessive sweating can be the result of a corresponding emotional state, which is usually accompanied by sleep disorders, nervous tension. Most often, this type of pathology is observed during puberty. Secondary hyperhidrosis is a consequence of a malfunctioning of the body or the intake of certain groups of drugs. Below we list what diseases can provoke this problem:

• obesity;
• Hyperthyroidism;
• neurasthenia;
• rheumatism;
• Chronic diseases of infectious nature;
• Functional disorders of the central nervous system;
• Hyperplasia of the sweat glands.

Hyperhidrosis can be caused by external factors. These include the wearing of airtight footwear, clothing made from synthetic fabrics, improper nutrition.

Types of hyperhidrosis

Depending on the prevalence of this pathology, a common and local hyperhidrosis is isolated on the body. The latter, in turn, is divided into several types.

1. Palmar hyperhidrosis. Representatives of the strong half this type of pathology presents more difficulties than women, because they have to shake hands with each other every day. One thought about the upcoming meeting with colleagues or friends can be thrown into sweat, only strengthening the hyperhidrosis of the palms. Treatment of this type of pathology assumes an exceptionally qualified approach.
2. Elevated sweating on the feet is also one of the varieties of this pathology. Unfortunately, such a problem is most often accompanied by a very unpleasant odor, which is almost impossible to eliminate. Many drugs and special drugs are sometimes powerless.
3. The most severe form of this kind of deviation is the head hyperhidrosis. It can develop due to many reasons: malnutrition, infectious diseases, non-observance of personal hygiene rules.

In the course of the state of increased sweating, seasonal and persistent hyperhidrosis occurs. There is also an intermittent view that has the property of periodically escalating.

Depending on the primary cause of the development of pathology, idiopathic (arises spontaneously) and secondary hyperhidrosis (manifested as a signal of many diseases).

Clinical picture

What signs are accompanied by hyperhidrosis? What is it we have already told, now it is necessary to consider the main symptoms of this pathology.

Sweating most often develops in certain areas of the body. The skin is moist and cold, and there are signs of acrocyanosis on the hands and soles.

The sweat itself does not have a characteristic smell, the familiar aroma is given by the bacteria. They feed on sweat and multiply by this process. Unpleasant smell in medical practice is otherwise called bromidrosis. It can arise due to the decomposition of sweat bacteria, or because of the release of substances with characteristic aroma (sulfur, garlic, tobacco) together with the liquid. The appearance of an unpleasant odor, along with hyperhidrosis, is sometimes observed in menstrual disorders, in people with diabetes mellitus, with certain types of dermatosis.

All of the above signs indicate a hyperhidrosis. Treatment (reviews of patients claim that the therapy includes a variety of methods and is of a lengthy nature) may be appointed by the appropriate specialist.

Diagnostic measures

Diagnosis of this pathology is based on the patient's specific complaints. In medical practice, quantitative and qualitative methods for assessing excessive sweating are used. The first include:

• Gravimetry. A small piece of filter paper with a measured mass is applied to the previously dried skin. She remains on the patient's body for a while. Then the doctor separates it, weighs it. Such a test allows us to estimate the amount of the isolated liquid.
• Evapometry. The study is carried out with the help of a special device, through which it is possible to estimate the rate of evaporation of sweat from the skin.

Qualitative methods of diagnosis include iodine starch test. Diagnosis is based on the ability of starch to change color when sweat is released on the skin, previously treated with iodine.

Patients who complain of hyperhidrosis of the legs or head should be directed to an additional examination in order to identify more serious diseases.

Treatment of pathology should be aimed at eliminating the cause of excessive sweating. It is important to carefully monitor the neurologist, therapist and endocrinologist.

Non-surgical therapy

If the hyperhidrosis of the head or legs is not a sign accompanying the main disease, the following types of conservative treatment are used for its therapy:

• psychotherapy;
• Drug treatment;
• Antiperspirants;
• Physiotherapy methods.

Psychotherapeutic methods, for example hypnosis, are aimed at eliminating existing psychological problems in the patient. The ability to keep under constant control your own emotions and fears allows some to permanently rid yourself of such a pathology as hyperhidrosis. Reviews about this method of treatment are very diverse. Unfortunately, many patients do not have enough consultation with a specialist to cope with the problem.

Drug therapy includes the use of a variety of medications depending on the severity of the symptoms and the presence of contraindications. Sedatives (herbal sedatives, motherwort infusions) and tranquilizers are indicated for people with unstable CNS. Lowering her excitability, they help to cope with daily stress. Selection of a specific drug and its dosage should be performed by a doctor.

With this diagnosis, treatment often begins with the use of formaldehyde-based drugs. One of the most popular gels is Formidron. However, now it is practically not used in view of the high likelihood of irritation of the mucosa. "Teymurova paste" also lost its popularity, because it needs to be used several times a day, and indelible stains on clothes are unlikely to someone like. "Formagel" is the most effective, if you believe people who were able to defeat hyperhidrosis. Photos of the results of treatment clearly demonstrate the advantages of this remedy. Moreover, it is non-toxic and does not cause allergies.

Antiperspirants have a local effect, and prevent increased sweating due to the available in the composition of salts of zinc, aluminum, salicylic acid. Causing a narrowing of the excretory ducts of the sweat glands, drugs of this group block the excretion of the fluid outward. We will notice, usual antiperspirants in struggle against this pathology will not help or assist. It is necessary special funds, the cost of which sometimes reaches up to 2000 rubles.

Among physiotherapy procedures, hydrotherapy (contrast shower, coniferous saline baths) is very popular. It has a restorative effect on the central nervous system.

Combination of the above-described conservative treatment methods allows to achieve a long (1-2 months) clinical effect. Of course, this approach does not solve the problem radically. It is possible to get rid of it permanently through surgical intervention.

Salon procedures

When excessive sweating is recommended:

1. Electrophoresis and iontophoresis in hyperhidrosis - treatment by the action of current on the ion channels of sweat glands. The limbs on which there are problem zones are lowered into water, and afterwards small electrical impulses are started up to them. This procedure is very popular due to its relatively low cost.
2. Subcutaneous injections of the butolin toxin inhibit the release of acetylcholine in the nerve endings, thus blocking their activity. On the problem site, the doctor makes several injections. To avoid discomfort, a special anesthetic cream is used. The effect of such treatment is manifested after 2-6 days, and can last for six months. Choosing this way to combat increased sweating, you should consider possible side effects. These include headache, weakness in the whole body, redness on the skin.

Operative intervention

The surgical methods of treatment offered today have a certain risk, therefore resort to their help should be in case of ineffectiveness of conservative therapy. Currently, the following methods are used to combat increased sweating, defined by specialists as hyperhidrosis:

• Operation to remove sweat glands (curettage);
• Liposuction;
• Sympathectomy.

Curettage is an operation for the destruction of nerve endings, and the subsequent removal of sweat glands. For a more accurate determination in the problem area, the patient undergoes an iodine starch test. All manipulations are performed using a local anesthetic option. The doctor makes a small puncture on the skin, as a result of which it exfoliates. Then the surgeon "scraped" the cavity from within. Curettage is most often prescribed with increased sweating in the armpit. As complications in patients, minor bleeding and bruising are possible, which are easily eliminated.

Liposuction is indicated for people with overweight and a diagnosis such as hyperhidrosis. What is this and how is this procedure carried out? During the operation, the nerves of the so-called sympathetic trunk are destroyed, thereby suppressing the action of the nerve impulse, which is responsible for sweating. The course of the procedure and possible complications are similar to curettage. The doctor makes a small puncture on the skin, installs through it a special tube through which the nerve endings themselves are destroyed. Also during this procedure, axillary tissue is excised.

Sympathectomy is most often recommended for patients with a diagnosis of "palm hyperhidrosis". Treatment guarantees a positive and lasting result. Sympathectomy is actively used in practice since 1946. Operative intervention is performed under local anesthesia by an endoscopic method. The doctor destroys the sympathetic trunk with a high-frequency current or applies a special clip to it. Both variants of the procedure are highly efficient.

Hyperhidrosis of the palms, head, legs: the newest methods of treatment

Modern cosmetology offers one more variant of therapy of this pathology - laser technology SmartLipo. Previously, it was actively used in the treatment of cellulite. The effect of thermal energy on the cells of the sweat glands by the laser results in their complete "freezing" and termination of functions. As a result, there comes a final cure that does not require additional manipulation.

Treatment of hyperhidrosis by laser is possible only under local anesthesia, and necessarily in an outpatient setting. During the procedure, a thin cannula with a laser beam at the end is inserted under the skin through a microprojection, which acts directly on the gland cells. The intervention is not very traumatic and takes no more than 30 minutes. The probability of serious complications after laser treatment is practically zero.

Traditional methods of treatment

To get rid of increased sweating, folk healers recommend the following recipes:

1. Boric acid powder. It is necessary to rub the product daily into the skin of the palms or feet.
2. Decoction from the bark of oak. This product dries the skin, you can buy it at any pharmacy. From the broth should be done baths or lotions. If the hyperhidrosis of the legs causes discomfort, you can pour dry bark into your socks and go to bed.
3. Well-established in the fight against this problem is a sage broth. It should be used for trays. For hyperhidrosis of the axillary region, pour the broth into the nebulizer and periodically irrigate the skin.

Preventive measures

People who have been diagnosed with hyperhidrosis of the palms, legs or head, should follow simple recommendations. They will help to cope with this pathological condition.

It is extremely important to eat in a balanced way. The diet should include almost the same content of proteins, carbohydrates and fiber, and the amount of fat is better to reduce. Harmfully affect the process of sweating spices. It is recommended to reduce the use of caffeine, as it stimulates all metabolic processes in the body.

It is necessary to abandon alcoholic drinks and cigarettes. They disrupt the work of the central nervous system and blood circulation, which often provokes hyperhidrosis.

The doctor can recommend sports, and on a regular basis. Dosed physical exercise helps to lose excess weight. As you know, slender people sweat much less.

Observe the rules of personal hygiene. It is necessary to take a shower every day, change clothes.

It is very important to learn to relax. The modern rabid rhythm of life does not allow the nervous system to fully rest. As a result, all new diseases appear. In order to prevent the development of hyperhidrosis, you must perform some relaxing activities before going to bed every day: read a book, take a bath, spend time with your loved one.

The above recommendations necessarily help not only to prevent the development of pathology, but also to prevent the emergence of other ailments. The right way of life is a guarantee of health and longevity!