49 years
My son of 16 years suffer from sweaty hands most of the time. Any advice?
Jan 25, 2015
Sweating is necessary; it serves to prevent the body from overheating. In hyperhidrosis, however, sweat still occurs even when the body is not in need of cooling. This excessive sweating can become a real nuisance and interfere with daily activities
Hyperhidrosis can be localised or generalised.
Localized hyperhidrosis: affects armpits, palms, soles, face or other sites
Generalized hyperhidrosis: affects most or all of the body
It can be primary or secondary.
Primary hyperhidrosis
Onset is in childhood or adolescence; improvement may or may not happen with age
There may be a family history
Usually involves armpits, palms and or soles in a symmetric distribution
Sweating usually decreases at night, and disappears during sleep
Secondary hyperhidrosis
Less common than primary hyperhidrosis
More likely to be unilateral and asymmetrical, or generalized
Can occur at night or during sleep.
Results from endocrine or neurological conditions
Examples of localized hyperhidrosis include palmar hyperhidrosis (as is the case for your son), axillary hyperhidrosis, and plantar hyperhidrosis.
This condition is managed as follows:
Antiperspirants that contain 10–25% aluminum salts to reduce sweating in the affected areas
Iontophoresis: this process helps in cases of hyperhidrosis of palms, soles and armpits. The affected area is immersed in water, an electrolyte solution or glycopyrronium solution, and a mild electrical current is passed across the skin surface for 10–20 minutes. The process is repeated daily for a few weeks, then less frequently as required. It may or may not produce the desirable effects.
Medications
Oral anticholinergic drugs, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and anxiolytics may be useful for some patients.
Botulinum toxin injections: used for armpit hyperhidrosis off-label for localized hyperhidrosis in other sites. They reduce or stop sweating for three to six months.
Iontophoresis: this process helps in cases of hyperhidrosis of palms, soles and armpits. The affected area is immersed in water, an electrolyte solution or glycopyrronium solution, and a mild electrical current is passed across the skin surface for 10–20 minutes. The process is repeated daily for a few weeks, then less frequently as required. It may or may not produce the desirable effects.
Medications
Oral anticholinergic drugs, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and anxiolytics may be useful for some patients.
Botulinum toxin injections: used for armpit hyperhidrosis off-label for localized hyperhidrosis in other sites. They reduce or stop sweating for three to six months.
More invasive procedures exist for cases that do not respond to the above therapies.
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