Associated with sweating. Severe sweating is not just a matter of discomfort: the main causes and solutions

Excessive sweating is a problem that is as common as it is unpleasant. Modern standards of human life do not approve of the presence in society of people who emit an unpleasant odor. And the explanation that this is not at all connected with cleanliness is unlikely to be understood and accepted. The problem needs to be dealt with. And for this it is important to understand the reasons for this phenomenon.

The problem of extremely high blood pressure has been known to medicine for a long time. There is even a special term for it - hyperhidrosis (Greek - a lot of water). At the same time, it is necessary to immediately say that the disease does not pose any direct health risks - scientists classify it as a “social disease” - one that can cause a person to have problems being among others of his own kind. And then diseases associated with social rejection may arise - nervous breakdowns, depression, in the worst case, everything can lead to a suicide attempt.

However, all these gloomy prospects open up only if you do not fight hyperhidrosis and do not perceive it as a problem. Doctors and scientists have a different opinion and claim that excessive sweating can and should be overcome. They even developed a classification of hyperhidrosis based not only on the volume and key areas of sweating, but also on the level of public rejection.

So, according to the degree of severity, excessive sweating is divided into:

1. Mild (increased sweating, but this does not cause social problems);
2. Moderate (heavy sweating, slight social rejection);
3. Severe (constant smell of sweat, wet spots on clothes, almost complete social rejection).

According to its prevalence, hyperhidrosis is divided into:

• General (increased sweating is characteristic of the whole body);
• Local (increased sweating is typical for certain areas of the body).

Both classifications do not contradict each other, for example, a person may have mild general or severe local hyperhidrosis. Experts note that the general subtype is extremely rare; more often people suffer from the local form. That is why it would be useful to understand the reasons for increased sweating in different parts of the body.

Head

There are many reasons for increased sweating on the head, but not all of them are related to hyperhidrosis directly. Let us first separate those that are quite common, but have nothing to do with the problem:

• ARVI and colds.
• Chronic infectious and oncological diseases.
• As a manifestation of an allergic reaction
• Side effects of certain medications;
• Stress and nervous condition.
• Metabolic disease.

As you can see, there are more than enough reasons for hyperhidrosis. However, scientists believe that the main cause is increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system, namely arousal. Thus, the key cause of increased sweating is stress. Sensitive, nervous, touchy people are more prone to increased sweating on the head.

Body

As already mentioned, hyperhidrosis is not a disease in itself. However, the cause of increased sweating throughout the body is often precisely diseases, namely:

As you can note, there are many diseases that affect excessive sweating. The reason for such a wide list is that scientists still cannot accurately determine the key cause of hyperhidrosis and compile a list of pathogens based on observations of patients with other pathologies.

Hands

Hyperhidrosis of the hands, especially the palms, is one of the most common types of increased sweating in general. Long-term observations have made it possible to identify the main causative agents of this problem:

Legs

From the point of view of hyperhidrosis, the legs are a special part of the body that is constantly constrained by some kind of shoes. That is why the list of factors influencing excessive sweating in the feet is somewhat different from the rest of the body.

In addition to these specific reasons, of course, increased sweating can be caused by stress, diseases of the endocrine system, cancer and infectious diseases, similar to other parts of the body.

Main symptoms

Despite all the obviousness of the external manifestation, it is not so easy to distinguish hyperhidrosis from ordinary sweating, especially in the hot summer months. And what is logical, this disease has its own symptoms that allow it to be diagnosed in a timely manner.

Prevention and treatment

In some cases, hyperhidrosis is hereditary and in this case its prevention does not produce tangible results. As for everyone else, if a person begins to notice that the amount of sweat produced is greater than usual, it is worth taking care of preventing the disease, especially since the basic recommendations are useful for everyone, regardless of the presence or suspicion of hyperhidrosis.

As for treatment, any procedures, no matter how effective they may seem, should be carried out only in consultation with the attending physician. However, it would be useful to describe the main methods of treatment.

If the case is not severe, then all therapy is usually limited to just regulating the amount of water consumed, naturally in a decreasing direction. This is combined with daily baths with the addition of oak bark and a weak solution of potassium permanganate. In addition, special solutions and lotions are available for wiping affected areas of the skin on the body, as well as powders and powders for the feet and palms.

If the disease manifests itself in a severe form, complex therapy is usually used, prescribed by a professional neurologist. Along with it, the latest laser methods for treating hyperhidrosis are often used, but their effectiveness has not been proven.

What is increased sweating, forms (primary, secondary) and degrees of hyperhidrosis, treatment methods, doctor’s recommendations - video

Treatment of hyperhidrosis with folk remedies: oak bark, soda, vinegar, potassium permanganate, diet

Heavy sweating (excessive sweating) is called hyperhidrosis and is a condition in which a person produces large amounts of sweat in various areas of the body in situations in which little or no sweat is normally produced. Heavy sweating can occur all over the body or only in certain areas (armpits, feet, palms, face, head, neck, etc.). If increased sweating is observed throughout the body, then this phenomenon is called generalized hyperhidrosis. If excessive sweating affects certain areas of the body, then this is localized (local) hyperhidrosis.

Treatment of hyperhidrosis, regardless of its location (generalized or localized) and the mechanism of development (primary or secondary), is carried out using the same methods and drugs, the action of which is aimed at reducing the intensity of the sweat glands.

Heavy sweating - the essence of pathology and the mechanism of development

Normally, a person constantly produces a small amount of sweat, which does not cause any discomfort. At high ambient temperatures (for example, heat, bathhouse, sauna, etc.), during physical activity, when eating hot food or drinking, as well as in some other situations (for example, stress, spicy food, etc.) sweating may increase and become noticeable to the person himself and others. However, in these cases, increased sweating is a normal reaction of the body aimed at cooling the body and preventing overheating.

Heavy sweating refers to the increased production of sweat in situations for which this is not normally typical. For example, if a person sweats at rest or with slight excitement, then we are talking about increased sweating.

Factors that provoke heavy sweating can be absolutely any physical, mental or physiological phenomena. However, the main difference between heavy sweating and normal sweating is the onset of profuse sweating in situations in which this would not normally occur.

The general mechanism for the development of any type of hyperhidrosis, regardless of the nature and strength of the causative factor, is excessive activity of the sympathetic nervous system, which activates the sweat glands. That is, a signal is transmitted through the nerve fibers of the sympathetic department of the peripheral nervous system to the sweat glands, which, as a result of this influence, are activated and begin to work in an enhanced mode. Naturally, if the sympathetic nervous system works too actively, then its influence on the sweat glands is also greater than normal, which leads to increased production of sweat.

However, increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system is just a mechanism of hyperhidrosis. But the exact reasons for the increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system are unknown. After all, excessive sweating can develop against the background of complete health, and with certain diseases, and with emotional experiences, and with taking a number of medications, and with a whole series of very interesting factors that, at first glance, have nothing to do with sympathetic nervous system. However, scientists and doctors were only able to establish for sure that with increased sweating, provoking factors lead to one thing - activation of the sympathetic nervous system, which, in turn, enhances the work of the sweat glands.

Since an imbalance in the activity of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems is characteristic of vegetative-vascular dystonia, severe sweating is very common with this disorder. However, many people suffering from excessive sweating do not have vegetative-vascular dystonia, so this pathology cannot be considered as the most common and probable cause of sweating.

If severe sweating develops in a person against the background of any diseases, then its development mechanism is exactly the same - that is, excessive activity of the sympathetic nervous system. Unfortunately, the exact mechanism of the influence of somatic, endocrinological and psychological disorders on the sympathetic nervous system is unknown, as a result of which the so-called “trigger” point of sweating has not been established. Since scientists and doctors do not know how exactly the process of active work of the sympathetic nervous system is started, it is currently impossible to regulate the centers of the brain that control the nerve fibers that transmit signals to the sweat glands. Therefore, to treat excessive sweating, only symptomatic remedies that reduce the production of sweat by the glands can be used.

Classification and brief characteristics of various types of severe sweating

Depending on the presence or absence of predisposing factors, excessive sweating is divided into two types:
1. Primary hyperhidrosis (idiopathic).
2. Secondary hyperhidrosis (associated with illness, medications, and emotional hyperreactivity).

Primary or idiopathic hyperhidrosis

Primary, or idiopathic hyperhidrosis is a physiological feature of the human body and develops for unknown reasons. That is, primary excessive sweating develops against a background of complete health without any apparent reason and is not a sign of any disorder or disease. As a rule, idiopathic hyperhidrosis is hereditary, that is, it is passed on from parents to children. According to international data, this form of excessive sweating affects from 0.6% to 1.5% of people. With primary idiopathic hyperhidrosis, a person, as a rule, sweats heavily only in certain parts of the body, for example, feet, palms, armpits, neck, etc. Excessive sweating throughout the body is extremely rare in primary hyperhidrosis.

Secondary hyperhidrosis

Secondary hyperhidrosis develops against the background of any existing diseases, when taking certain medications and with a sharp expression of emotional reactions. That is, with secondary hyperhidrosis there is always a visible cause that can be identified. Secondary excessive sweating is characterized by the fact that a person sweats heavily throughout the whole body, and not any individual parts. If a person suspects that he has secondary sweating, then he should consult a doctor for a detailed examination, which will identify the disease that has become the causative factor of severe sweating.

In addition to dividing hyperhidrosis into primary and secondary, excessive sweating is also classified into the following three types depending on the volume of skin involved in the pathological process:
1. Generalized hyperhidrosis;
2. Localized (local, local) hyperhidrosis;
3. Gustatory hyperhidrosis.

Generalized hyperhidrosis

Generalized hyperhidrosis is a type of excessive sweating throughout the body, where a person sweats from all areas of the skin, including the back and chest. Such generalized hyperhidrosis is almost always secondary and is provoked by various diseases or medications. In addition, this type of sweating develops in pregnant women, in the early postpartum period, in the second half of the menstrual cycle, and also during menopause. In women, sweating in these conditions is due to hormonal characteristics with the predominant effect of progesterone, which stimulates the sympathetic nervous system.

Localized hyperhidrosis

Localized hyperhidrosis is a variant in which a person sweats only certain parts of the body, for example:

• Palms;
• Feet;
• Armpits;
• Area around the lips;
• Face;
• Back;
• Skin of the external genitalia;
• Anal area;
• tip of the nose;
• Chin;
• The scalp.

With local hyperhidrosis, only certain parts of the body sweat, while others produce sweat in normal amounts. This form of sweating is usually idiopathic and is most often caused by vegetative-vascular dystonia. Excessive sweating of each individual part of the body is usually called a special term in which the first word is derived from the Latin or Greek name for the part of the body with excessive sweating, and the second is “hyperhidrosis”. For example, excessive sweating of the palms will be referred to as “palmar hyperhidrosis”, feet – “plantar hyperhidrosis”, armpits – “axillary hyperhidrosis”, head and neck – “craniofacial hyperhidrosis”, etc.

Usually sweat does not have any odor, but with local hyperhidrosis, bromidrosis (osmidrosis) or chromidrosis may develop. Bromidrosis is a foul-smelling sweat that is usually formed when hygiene is not followed or when consuming foods with a strong odor, such as garlic, onions, tobacco, etc. If a person consumes products with a strong odor, then the aromatic substances contained in them, released from the human body through sweat, give it an unpleasant aroma. Bromidrosis, if hygiene is not observed, develops due to the fact that bacteria living on the surface of the skin begin to actively decompose protein substances released in sweat, resulting in the formation of foul-smelling compounds of sulfur, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, etc. In addition, foul-smelling sweat with hyperhidrosis can occur in people with diabetes mellitus, skin syphilis (syphilitic rashes) and pemphigus, as well as in women suffering from menstrual irregularities.

Chromydrosis represents the coloring of sweat in various colors (orange, black, etc.). A similar phenomenon occurs when any toxic substances and chemical compounds (mainly compounds of cobalt, copper and iron) enter the human body, as well as in the presence of hysterical seizures and systemic diseases.

Gustatory hyperhidrosis

Gustatory hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating of the upper lip, skin around the mouth, or tip of the nose after eating hot, hot, or spicy foods or drinks. In addition, gustatory hyperhidrosis can develop with Frey's syndrome (pain in the temple and temporomandibular joint, combined with profuse sweating in the temples and ears).

Many doctors and scientists do not distinguish gustatory hyperhidrosis as a separate type of excessive sweating, but include it as part of the localized form of excessive sweating.

Features of local hyperhidrosis of some localizations

Let's consider the features of increased sweating in some of the most common localizations.

Excessive sweating under the arms (axillary hyperhidrosis)

Heavy sweating under the arms is quite common and is usually caused by strong emotions, fear, anger or excitement. Any disease rarely causes sweating of the armpits, therefore local hyperhidrosis of this localization is almost always idiopathic, that is, primary.

However, isolated secondary excessive sweating in the armpits can be caused by the following diseases:

• Follicular mucinosis;
• Blue nevus;
• Tumors of cavernous structure.

Axillary hyperhidrosis is treated in the same way as any other form of excessive sweating.

Severe sweating of the head

Excessive sweating of the head is called cranial hyperhidrosis and is quite common, but less common is excessive sweating of the palms, feet and armpits. Such local excessive sweating, as a rule, is idiopathic, but in some cases it is secondary and is caused by the following diseases and conditions:

• Neuropathy in diabetes mellitus;
• Herpes zoster of the face and head;
• Diseases of the central nervous system;
• Damage to the parotid salivary gland;
• Frey's syndrome;
• Skin mucinosis;
• Hypertrophic osteoarthropathy;
• Blue nevus;
• Cavernous tumor;
• Sympathectomy.

In addition, the scalp may sweat a lot after consuming hot, spicy or spicy drinks or foods. The treatment and course of excessive sweating of the head does not differ from that of other localizations.

Excessive sweating of the feet (sweating feet, plantar hyperhidrosis)

Severe sweating of the feet can be either idiopathic or provoked by various diseases or wearing incorrectly selected shoes and socks. Thus, many people develop foot hyperhidrosis due to wearing tight shoes or shoes with rubber soles, as well as the constant use of nylon, elastic tights or socks.

The problem of excessive sweating of the feet is very relevant, since it causes severe discomfort to a person. After all, when the feet sweat, an unpleasant odor almost always appears; the socks are constantly wet, as a result of which the feet freeze. In addition, the skin on the legs, under the influence of sweat, becomes damp, cold, cyanotic and easily damaged, as a result of which a person is constantly faced with infectious and inflammatory diseases.

Excessive sweating of the palms (palmar hyperhidrosis)

Severe sweating of the palms is usually idiopathic. However, sweating of the palms can also be secondary, and in this case it usually develops due to emotional experiences, such as excitement, anxiety, fear, anger, etc. Sweaty palms caused by any disease are very rare.

Heavy facial sweating

Severe facial sweating can be either idiopathic or secondary. Moreover, in the case of secondary facial hyperhidrosis, this problem is usually caused by diseases of the nervous and endocrine systems, as well as emotional experiences. Also quite often, excessive facial sweating occurs when consuming hot foods and drinks.

Features of excessive sweating in various situations

Let's consider the features of hyperhidrosis in various situations and in certain conditions.

Heavy sweating at night (during sleep)

Increased sweating during the hours of rest at night can bother both men and women, and the causative factors of this condition are exactly the same for all people, regardless of gender and age.

Night sweats can be idiopathic or secondary. Moreover, if such sweating is secondary, then this indicates a severe systemic infectious or oncological disease. The causes of secondary night sweats can be the following diseases:

• Systemic fungal infection (for example, aspergillosis, systemic candidiasis, etc.);
• Long-term chronic infections of any organs (for example, chronic tonsillitis, etc.);

If, in addition to night sweats, a person experiences rapid fatigue, weight loss, or frequent increases in body temperature above 37.5 o C, then hyperhidrosis is undoubtedly secondary and is a sign of a serious illness. In the case when none of the above, besides sweating at night, bothers a person, hyperhidrosis is idiopathic and does not pose any danger.

It should be said that although night sweats can be a symptom severe illness, in most cases, people suffering from this problem do not have any health problems. Typically, idiopathic night sweats are caused by stress and anxiety.

If a person has idiopathic night sweats, then to reduce its severity it is recommended to follow the following rules:

• Make the bed as comfortable as possible and sleep on a hard mattress and pillow;
• Ensure the air temperature in the room in which you plan to sleep is no more than 20 - 22 o C;
• If possible, it is recommended to open the bedroom window at night;
• Lose weight if you are overweight.

Heavy sweating during physical activity

During physical activity, increased sweating is considered normal, since a large amount of heat generated by muscles during intense work is removed from the human body by evaporation of sweat from the surface of the skin. A similar mechanism of increased sweating during physical activity and in the heat prevents the human body from overheating. This means that it is impossible to completely eliminate sweating during exercise. However, if this problem greatly bothers a person, then you can try to reduce sweating.

To reduce sweating during exercise, wear loose, open, light clothing that does not cause additional heat to the skin. In addition, the areas of the most pronounced sweating can be treated with a special antiperspirant deodorant containing aluminum 1–2 days before planned physical activity. You should not apply deodorant to large areas of the body, as this blocks the production of sweat and can cause overheating of the body, manifested by weakness and dizziness.

Heavy sweating when sick

Excessive sweating can be caused by a fairly wide range of different diseases. Moreover, sweating itself, as such, does not play a significant role in the mechanisms of disease development, but is simply a painful and unpleasant symptom that causes serious discomfort to a person. Since sweating in diseases is treated in the same way as idiopathic hyperhidrosis, it makes sense to pay attention to it only in cases where it may indicate an unfavorable course of the pathology and the need for urgent medical attention.

So, you should definitely consult a doctor if sweating is combined with any of the following symptoms:

• Significant reduction in body weight without dieting, physical activity, etc.;
• Weakening or increasing appetite;
• Persistent cough lasting more than 21 days in a row;
• Periodic frequent increases in body temperature above 37.5 o C, occurring for several weeks in a row;
• Chest pain, worsened by coughing, breathing and sneezing;
• Spots on the skin;
• Enlargement of one or more lymph nodes;
• Feeling of discomfort and pain in the abdomen, which occurs quite often;
• An attack of sweating is accompanied by palpitations and increased blood pressure.

Sweating in various diseases can be generalized or localized, occurring at night, in the morning, during the day, or against the background of emotional or physical stress. In other words, the characteristics of sweating in any disease can be quite variable.

In diseases of the thyroid gland and other internal secretion organs (endocrine glands), sweating develops quite often. Thus, attacks of generalized excessive sweating can occur with hyperthyroidism (Graves disease, thyroid adenoma, etc.), pheochromocytoma (adrenal tumor) and dysfunction of the pituitary gland. However, with these diseases, sweating is not the main symptom, since the person has other, much more serious dysfunctions of the body.

With hypertension, generalized sweating often develops, since during an attack of high blood pressure the activity of the sympathetic nervous system increases.

Heavy sweating during menopause

About half of all women experience hot flashes and sweating during menopause, but these symptoms are considered normal because they develop due to hormonal changes occurring in the body. When menstruation finally stops and a woman reaches menopause, hot flashes, sweating and other painful symptoms characteristic of the period of declining menstrual function will pass. However, the fact that sweating and hot flashes during menopause are normal does not mean that women should endure these painful manifestations of the body’s transition to another stage of functioning.

Thus, at present, to improve the quality of life and alleviate a woman’s condition, there is a wide range of medications that stop such manifestations of the decline of menstrual function as sweating and hot flashes. To choose the best remedy for yourself, it is recommended to consult a gynecologist who can recommend hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or homeopathic medicines (for example, Klimaksan, Remens, Klimadinon, Qi-Klim, etc.).

Heavy sweating after childbirth and during pregnancy

During pregnancy and for 1 – 2 months after childbirth, a woman’s body produces progesterone in large quantities. Progesterone and estrogen are the main sex hormones of the female body, which are produced with a certain cyclicity so that in some periods one hormone has a predominant effect, and in others - the second.

Thus, during pregnancy, some time after childbirth, as well as in the second half of the menstrual cycle, the effects of progesterone prevail, since it is produced much more than estrogen. And progesterone increases the functioning of the sweat glands and their sensitivity to ambient temperature, which, accordingly, leads to increased sweating in women. Accordingly, increased sweating during pregnancy and some time after childbirth is a completely normal phenomenon that should not be feared.

If sweating causes discomfort to a woman, then to reduce it during the entire period of pregnancy, you can use antiperspirant deodorants that are safe for the baby and do not affect its growth and development.

Night sweats - why we sweat at night: menopause (relief of symptoms), tuberculosis (treatment, prevention), lymphoma (diagnosis) - video

Heavy sweating in women and men

The causes, frequency of occurrence, types and principles of treatment for heavy sweating in men and women are exactly the same, so it is inappropriate to consider them in separate sections. The only distinctive feature of female excessive sweating is that the fair sex, in addition to all other causes of hyperhidrosis, has one more - a regular increase in progesterone levels in the second half of each menstrual cycle, during pregnancy, after childbirth and during menopause. Therefore, women can suffer from sweating for the same reasons as men and additionally during certain periods of their lives when the influence of progesterone prevails in the hormonal background.

Heavy sweating - causes

Obviously, idiopathic severe sweating does not have any obvious and visible causes, and it can be provoked by ordinary situations, such as eating, mild excitement, etc. And sometimes attacks of sweating can occur without any visible provoking factor.

The situation is completely different with secondary severe sweating, which is always caused by some reason, which is a somatic, endocrine or other disease.

So, the following diseases and conditions may be the causes of secondary severe sweating:
1. Endocrine diseases:

• Thyrotoxicosis (high level of thyroid hormones in the blood) due to Graves' disease, adenoma or other diseases of the thyroid gland;
• Diabetes;
• Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar);
• Pheochromocytoma;
• Carcinoid syndrome;
• Acromegaly;
• Pancreatic dysfunction (decreased production of enzymes by the pancreas).

2. Infectious diseases:

• Tuberculosis;
• HIV infection;
• Neurosyphilis;
• Systemic fungal infections (for example, aspergillosis, systemic candidiasis, etc.);
• Herpes zoster.

3. Infectious and inflammatory diseases of various organs:

• Endocarditis;
• Chronic tonsillitis, etc.

4. Neurological diseases:

• Diencephalic syndrome of newborns;
• Diabetic, alcoholic or other neuropathy;
• Vegetative-vascular dystonia;
• Syringomyelia.

5. Oncological diseases:

• Hodgkin's disease;
• Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas;
• Compression of the spinal cord by a tumor or metastases.

6. Genetic diseases:

• Riley-Day syndrome;

7. Psychological reasons:

• Fear;
• Pain;
• Anger;
• Anxiety;
• Stress.

8. Other:

• Hypertonic disease;
• Hyperplasia of sweat glands;
• Keratoderma;
• Withdrawal syndrome in alcoholism;
• Opium withdrawal syndrome;
• Damage to the parotid salivary glands;
• Follicular mucinosis of the skin;
• Hypertrophic osteoarthropathy;
• Blue nevus;
• Cavernous tumor;
• Mushroom poisoning;
• Poisoning with organophosphorus substances (OPS).

In addition, severe sweating may develop while taking the following medications as a side effect:

• Aspirin and products containing acetylsalicylic acid;
• Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (Gonadorelin, Nafarelin, Buserelin, Leuprolide);
• Antidepressants (most often Bupropion, Fluoxetine, Sertraline, Venlafaxine);
• Insulin;
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (most often Paracetamol, Diclofenac, Ibuprofen);
• Opioid analgesics;
• Pilocarpine;
• Sulfonylurea derivatives (Tolbutamide, Gliquidone, Gliclazide, Glibenclamide, Glipizide, etc.);
• Promedol;
• Emetics (ipecac, etc.);
• Medicines for the treatment of migraine (Sumatriptam, Naratriptan, Rizatriptan, Zolmitriptan);
• Theophylline;
• Physostigmine.

Excessive sweating in a child - causes

Severe sweating can occur in children of all ages, even in infants in their first year of life. It should be remembered that excessive sweating in a child over 6 years of age, in terms of causative factors, types and methods of treatment, is completely equivalent to that in an adult, but in children under 6 years of age, hyperhidrosis is provoked by completely different reasons.

Thus, many newborn babies sweat intensely during feeding, when they suck on the breast or milk from a bottle. Children during the first 3 years of life sweat very much during their sleep, regardless of whether they sleep during the day or at night. Increased sweating accompanies them during both night and daytime sleep. Scientists and doctors consider children to sweat during meals and sleep as a normal phenomenon, which reflects the baby’s body’s ability to remove excess heat to the outside and prevent overheating.

Remember that a child is adapted by nature to tolerate relatively low temperatures, and the optimal ambient temperature for him is 18 - 22 o C. At this temperature, a child can calmly walk in a T-shirt and not freeze, although almost any adult in the same clothes will be uncomfortable . Considering the fact that parents try to dress their children warmly, focusing on their own feelings, they constantly expose them to the danger of overheating. The child compensates for too warm clothes by sweating. And when heat production in the body increases even more (sleep and food), the child begins to sweat intensely in order to “shed” the excess.

There is a widespread belief among parents that excessive sweating of a child in the first 3 years of life is a sign of rickets. However, this opinion is completely untrue, since there is no connection between rickets and sweating.

In addition to these physiological causes of increased sweating in children, there are a number of factors that can cause hyperhidrosis in children. These factors are diseases of internal organs, which always manifest themselves with other, more noticeable and important symptoms, by the presence of which parents can understand that the child is sick.

Excessive sweating in children: causes, symptoms, treatment. Hyperhidrosis during pregnancy - video

Heavy sweating - what to do (treatment)

For any type of severe sweating, the same treatment methods are used, aimed at reducing sweat production and suppressing the activity of the glands. All these methods are symptomatic, that is, they do not affect the cause of the problem, but only eliminate a painful symptom - sweating, thereby increasing a person’s quality of life. If sweating is secondary, that is, provoked by some disease, then in addition to using specific methods to reduce sweating, it is imperative to treat the direct pathology that caused the problem.

So, currently the following methods are used to treat severe sweating:
1. External application of antiperspirants (deodorants, gels, ointments, wipes) to the skin to reduce sweat production;
2. Ingestion of tablets that reduce sweat production;
3. Iontophoresis;
4. Injections of botulinum toxin (Botox) in areas with excessive sweating;
5. Surgical methods for treating sweating:

• Curettage of sweat glands in areas of excessive sweating (destruction and removal of sweat glands through an incision in the skin);
• Sympathectomy (cutting or compressing the nerve going to the glands in the area of ​​excessive sweating);
• Laser lipolysis (laser destruction of sweat glands).

The listed methods represent the entire arsenal of ways to reduce excess sweating. Currently, they are used according to a certain algorithm, which involves first using the simplest and safest methods, and then, in the absence of the necessary and desired effect, moving on to other, more complex methods of treating hyperhidrosis. Naturally, more complex methods of therapy are more effective, but have side effects.

Thus, the modern algorithm for using methods for treating hyperhidrosis is as follows:
1. External use of any antiperspirant on areas of skin with excessive sweating;
2. Iontophoresis;
3. Botulinum toxin injections;
4. Taking pills that reduce hyperhidrosis;
5. Surgical methods for removing sweat glands.

Antiperspirants are a variety of products applied to the skin, such as deodorants, sprays, gels, wipes, etc. These products contain aluminum salts, which literally clog the sweat glands, blocking the production of sweat and thereby reducing sweating. Antiperspirants containing aluminum can be used for a long time, achieving optimal levels of perspiration. Previously, drugs containing formaldehyde (Formidron) or methenamine were used as antiperspirants. However, at present their use is limited due to toxicity and relatively low effectiveness compared to products with aluminum salts.

When choosing an antiperspirant, you need to pay attention to the aluminum concentration, since the higher it is, the stronger the activity of the product. You should not choose products with maximum concentration, as this can cause severe skin irritation. It is recommended to start using antiperspirants with a minimum concentration (6.5%, 10%, 12%) and only if they are ineffective, use a product with a higher aluminum content. The final choice should be made with a product with the lowest possible concentration that effectively stops sweating.

Antiperspirants are applied to the skin for 6–10 hours, preferably at night, and then washed off. The next application is made after 1 - 3 days, depending on how much the effect of the product is sufficient for that particular person.

If antiperspirants are ineffective in reducing sweating, an iontophoresis procedure is performed, which is a type of electrophoresis. With iontophoresis, using an electric field, medications and salts penetrate deep into the skin, which reduce the activity of the sweat glands. To reduce sweating, iontophoresis sessions are performed with plain water, botulinum toxin or glycopyrrolate. Iontophoresis can stop sweating in 80% of cases.

If iontophoresis is ineffective, then to stop sweating, botulinum toxin is injected into the problem parts of the skin. These injections eliminate the problem of sweating in 80% of cases, and their effect lasts from six months to one and a half years.

Tablets that reduce sweating are taken only in cases where antiperspirants, iontophoresis and botulinum toxin injections are ineffective. These tablets include products containing glycopyrrolate, oxybutynin and clonidine. Taking these tablets is associated with numerous side effects (for example, difficulty urinating, sensitivity to light, palpitations, dry mouth, etc.), so they are used very rarely. Typically, people take anti-sweating pills before important meetings or events when they need to eliminate the problem reliably, effectively and for a relatively short period of time.

Finally, if conservative methods of stopping sweating do not help, you can use surgical treatment methods that involve the destruction and removal of sweat glands or cutting the nerves leading to the problem area of ​​​​the skin.

Curettage involves scraping out the sweat glands directly from the problem area of ​​skin with a small spoon. The operation is performed under local or general anesthesia and eliminates sweating in 70% of cases. In other cases, repeated curettage is required to remove some more glands.

Laser lipolysis is the destruction of sweat glands with a laser. In essence, this manipulation is similar to curettage, but is more gentle and safe, since it allows minimizing skin trauma. Unfortunately, laser lipolysis to reduce sweating is currently performed only in selected clinics.

A sympathectomy involves cutting or clamping the nerve leading to the sweat glands located in a problem area of ​​skin with severe sweating. The operation is simple and highly effective. However, unfortunately, sometimes, as a complication of the operation, a person experiences excessive sweating in the adjacent area of ​​skin.

What is increased sweating, forms (primary, secondary) and degrees of hyperhidrosis, treatment methods, doctor’s recommendations - video

Deodorant (remedy) for heavy sweating

Currently, the following antiperspirant deodorants with aluminum are available to reduce sweating:

• Dry Dry (Dry Dry) – 20 and 30% aluminum concentration;
• Anhydrol Forte – 20% (can only be purchased in Europe);
• AHC30 –30% (can be purchased through online stores);

Sweating is the body's natural process of regulating body temperature, the body's reaction to high environmental temperatures or to intense physical activity. All people sweat differently: for some this process is more intense, for others it is less. There is nothing wrong with the fact that you sweat more than other people. However, excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) that is not caused by heat or exercise can signal some medical conditions.

Intense sweating is characteristic of very excitable people; it occurs during excitement, physical stress, and also in hot weather. Sometimes only certain areas of the body may sweat - armpits, palms, soles. Sweating (hyperhidrosis) can be generalized or localized. General sweating mainly occurs due to exposure to high environmental temperatures, physical and emotional stress, as well as certain types of diseases (tuberculosis, damage to the nervous system). Common forms of localized hyperhidrosis are palmoplantar hyperhidrosis and large fold hyperhidrosis. Very often, these forms are a manifestation of vegetative-vascular dystonia, as well as the result of non-compliance with personal hygiene, clothing made of synthetic fabrics, the use of tight rubber shoes, etc.

General hyperhidrosis is observed with various intoxications, infections, disorders of the function of the endocrine glands and some other diseases. Excessive sweating can also be triggered by strong emotional arousal, such as fear, pain, etc. This type of sweat is usually called cold sweat because it occurs on pale and cold skin. In addition, the secreted sweat can be oily, which is influenced by the admixture of the secretion of the sebaceous glands. Treatment in this case is aimed at the underlying disease.

Excessive sweating creates conditions for the development of fungal and pyogenic flora as a result of skin damage and changes in its acidity. Intense sweating is the cause of colds, many skin diseases and often causes an unpleasant odor.

Areas of the body with excessive sweating (groin folds, legs, armpits, under the mammary glands in obese women) should be washed daily with warm water and soap. Clean and dry skin should be generously sprinkled with a powder that absorbs moisture well - talcum powder, powder.

If your feet are sweating, you can use hot foot baths. This must be done daily, with the addition of potassium permanganate (until the water turns pink). After foot baths, dry skin between the toes and soles are well sprinkled with powder. In the morning, you can pour disinfectants into clean socks, for example, a mixture of talc and methenamine in equal proportions. To avoid drying out the skin of your feet, you need to lubricate them 1-2 times a week with a nourishing cream.

If your feet sweat excessively, it is recommended to avoid wearing tight shoes. In addition, it is necessary to avoid shoes made of artificial materials or rubber. The same goes for clothes. It is best to wear clothes made from natural materials, and socks must be cotton. Otherwise, synthetic fiber underwear will only worsen the sweating problem.

Excessive sweating of the palms occurs due to increased sensitivity or strong nervous excitement. To solve the problem of sweating palms, you can use hand baths made from sage infusion or oak bark decoction. Contrasting (using alternately cold and hot water) hand baths will also become indispensable for this problem. Naturally, you shouldn’t forget about sweat deodorant.

Excessive sweating requires avoiding the use of fatty creams and cream-powder for facial skin care. Before applying powder to your face, you must clean it using special cosmetic wipes or a cotton swab dipped in lotion.

If the armpit area sweats excessively, it is necessary to remove hair in the armpits. This is not only useful, but also aesthetically pleasing. In addition, constant hygiene should be mandatory. But this is not always enough.

Aluminum chloride hexahydrate (Etiaxil) is mainly used to treat excessive sweating in the armpit area. Good results can only be achieved if all recommendations are strictly and completely followed: there should be no irritation on the skin, that is, no hair removal or shaving two days before the start of treatment. This product is applied at night (effectiveness - 8 hours), in the morning, wash the treated areas well with soap. This procedure must be done for two days in a row (two nights). These procedures give good results. In the future, it can be done once a week.

For excessive sweating of the armpits, you can use the following recipe: brew 1 tsp. oak bark with a glass of boiling water and add the juice of one lemon. Soak a cotton pad in the resulting broth and wipe the problem areas with it several times a day. This mixture helps reduce the secretion of sweat glands and gives the skin a fresh lemon scent.

Many dermatologists recommend regularly using a contrast shower, and lubricating intensely sweating areas of the body with Teymurov paste or a 1-2 percent solution of acetic acid. It is also recommended to use general strengthening agents - preparations of phosphorus, valerian, iron, calcium, multivitamins, infusions of medicinal herbs, for example, sage, lemon balm (half a glass 2 times a day).

In order to reduce sweating, you need to give up smoking, hot and spicy foods, tea and coffee. It is best to drink compotes, fruit drinks and natural juices.

You need to wash at least once a day, and problem areas should be washed with antibacterial soap. After a shower, be sure to use a body deodorant suitable for your skin, which contains antiperspirants - substances that reduce sweating. If your skin is damaged, it is better not to use deodorant. In addition, change your clothes more often, since they absorb sweat, which then forms bacteria and creates an unpleasant odor.

It's no secret that the human body has many sweat glands that produce sweat. The release of moisture is a physiological feature of the body and is necessary for its thermoregulation and release of waste and toxins.

The largest number of sweat glands are located in the armpits, on the feet and palms, as well as in the groin area and under the mammary glands. This is why the maximum amount of sweat is produced in these areas of the body.

If sweating increases due to increased ambient temperature, hard work or physical exertion, then it is understandable. But many people begin to sweat excessively for no apparent reason, and this pathological condition causes them a lot of inconvenience. Indeed, in addition to the fact that with increased sweating, clothes become covered with wet spots, an unpleasant smell of sweat begins to emanate from the person. Excessive sweating is medically called “hyperhidrosis.”

The article describes the reasons that cause severe sweating in both men and women, and ways to cure this ailment.

People, regardless of gender and age, can suffer from excessive sweating. Hyperhidrosis causes a lot of inconvenience and suffering not only to the patient himself, but also to everyone around him.

In some cases, profuse sweat may appear as a result of physiological processes. But sometimes it signals the presence of serious diseases of the body.

External causes of hyperhidrosis

Increased activity of the sweat glands can be caused by a number of external reasons. This includes increased ambient temperature, an unforeseen stressful situation, hard physical work, and high sports loads. But hyperhidrosis caused by these reasons is characterized by its short duration. As soon as the external factor is eliminated, sweating returns to normal.

In these cases, the main cure will be timely hygiene and the use of deodorants and antiperspirants. The action of deodorants is fundamentally different from the work of antiperspirants. Deodorants only muffle the smell of sweat due to the aromatic fragrances they contain. While antiperspirants, in which the active substance is aluminum chloride or zinc salts, affect, reducing sweat production.

To avoid excessive sweating, do not wear clothes made of synthetic materials. Synthetics do not allow air to pass through to the body and prevent the removal of moisture, so a greenhouse effect is created and the body begins to sweat even more. People who suffer from excessive sweating are advised to wear loose clothing made from natural materials, such as cotton, silk or fine wool, as they have the best hygienic qualities and allow the body to breathe freely.

Internal causes of hyperhidrosis

Frequently recurring bouts of heavy sweating indicate the onset of a serious illness. These may be the following deviations.

Types of hyperhidrosis

Depending on whether there are reasons that cause severe sweating or not, two types of disease are distinguished: primary and secondary.

Primary (idiopathic) hyperhidrosis

Increased sweating, called primary hyperhidrosis, is not a symptom of any disease and occurs when the person is completely healthy. Although this form of the disease affects about 1.5% of people on the planet, the causes of this pathology are up to the end has not yet been studied. Very often, primary hyperhidrosis is inherited, from the older generation to the younger. With this type of disease, one part of the body sweats, for example, the armpits, palms or feet. Less commonly, increased sweating affects the entire body.

If a person’s increased sweating is a consequence of some understandable reasons, then this type of disease is called secondary hyperhidrosis. There are many reasons for its appearance. These include various chronic diseases, emotional tension, and taking a number of medications. In this form of the disease, the whole body is severe. Having identified excessive sweating throughout the body, you need to consult a doctor, undergo the necessary examination and determine ways to treat the disease.

In addition to dividing the disease into two types, excessive sweating can differ in the surface area of ​​the skin affected by the lesion.

With this type, excessive sweating is noticeable throughout the entire body, including the back and chest. Such hyperhidrosis always appears as a result of taking medications or other diseases. It can develop in pregnant women, during menopause and during the menstrual cycle.

Localized hyperhidrosis

With localized hyperhidrosis, sweating affects only one specific part of the body, such as the armpits, feet, palms, and neck. Most often, this type of disease is transmitted genetically and refers to primary hyperhidrosis. If the sweat itself does not carry a foreign odor, then with local hyperhidrosis bromidrosis or chromidrosis may develop.

Bromidrosis is characterized by the appearance of a fetid odor in sweat associated with eating spicy and smelly foods, as well as neglecting hygiene rules. If the patient’s diet contains a large amount of onions, garlic, and pepper, then the sweat acquires an unpleasant odor. When a person neglects personal hygiene, bacteria that inhabit the skin and decompose the protein released from the body create foul-smelling compounds with, sulfur and hydrogen sulfide.

With chromidrosis, sweat turns different colors. This disease is mainly associated with chemical poisoning.

It begins after eating hot or spicy foods. With gustatory hyperhidrosis, only the upper lip, nose and skin around the mouth sweat.

Heavy sweating during sleep

Increased sweating at night during sleep occurs the same in everyone, regardless of gender and age. Such sweating can be either primary or secondary. Moreover, in the second case, severe sweating is associated with severe infectious or cancerous diseases, especially if the patient’s weight drops sharply with sweating and the body temperature remains above normal for a long time.

If, apart from night sweats, nothing else worries a person, then hyperhidrosis does not cause any concern. In this case, the disease begins against a background of fatigue or irritation. In order to eliminate this pathological condition, it is enough to make yourself a comfortable bed, create a comfortable temperature in the room, and sometimes lose weight.

Increased sweating when working

During physical work, muscles produce a huge amount of thermal energy, which is removed by releasing sweat onto the surface of the human skin. This process is completely natural and protects the human body from overheating during heat and heavy exercise. It is impossible to completely get rid of sweating when doing work, but if sweating is very bothersome, it can be reduced a little.

To cope with this problem, it is necessary to wear light clothing during heavy work or sports activities that allow the body to breathe. Knowing that you will soon have to sweat, it is advisable to treat the armpits and feet, that is, those places where sweating is most profuse, with antiperspirants. You should not treat large areas with deodorizing agents, as they impede the work of the sweat glands and can cause overheating.

Increased sweating during menopause

During menopause, a fundamental hormonal change occurs in the female body. Therefore, it is not at all surprising that with the onset of menopause, many of the female representatives suffer from excessive sweating. Over time, when menstruation finally stops and the female body moves to a new stage of functioning, both hot flashes and excessive sweating will go away on their own. But this does not mean at all that a woman should suffer and endure inconveniences caused by the physiology of her body throughout the transition period.

Modern pharmacologists have developed many medications that can alleviate a woman’s condition during menopause. To reduce sweating, you need to consult a doctor who will select a medicine or homeopathic remedy.

Treatment methods for hyperhidrosis

Hyperhidrosis is a long-standing, well-studied disease, so in traditional and folk medicine there are many methods and medications to combat the problem. For all types of disease, treatment agents perform the same functions. They cannot eliminate the cause of the disease, but they do an excellent job of treating the symptoms themselves, sweating and odor, the reduction of which is ensured by blocking the sweat glands. In the case when sweating is a consequence of some disease, it is necessary to treat the disease itself. Today, there are the following methods to reduce sweat.

• Deodorants, antiperspirants.

These cosmetic anti-sweat preparations are applied directly to the skin in areas of abundant moisture and are the simplest and safest means of treating hyperhidrosis, used in the early stages of the disease. The effect of deodorants is limited to masking the unpleasant odor with the help of aromatic fragrances. Antiperspirants affect the functioning of the sweat glands due to the aluminum chloride found in their composition, thereby slowing down sweating.

Heavy sweating brings a lot of trouble to a person. By identifying the cause of the disease and choosing a treatment method, you can say goodbye to hyperhidrosis forever.

Excessive sweating is a common syndrome. If you sweat more than other people, you should dry your hands before shaking hands - these are standard signs of hyperhidrosis. Excessive sweating is harmless, but unpleasant to say the least. But sometimes it is a signal of illness. Therapists remind that excessive sweating is a warning signal of thyroid disease, diabetes or infection.

Some diseases can be diagnosed by the nature of sweating.

Causes

Sweating is normal when the body is exposed to heat. Sweating cools the body. If there is no medical reason for excessive sweating, it is called primary hyperhidrosis. When the nerves responsible for triggering the sweat glands become overactive, they cause large amounts of sweat to occur even when it is not needed. This is why hyperhidrosis occurs. There is also the possibility of a hereditary factor.

Body sweating with hyperhidrosis occurs at any time of the day, in any situation. It is caused by hot weather, exercise, illness, and spicy foods. In adults, a common cause of this syndrome is emotional stress. However, excessive sweating occurs due to problems with the heart, lungs, diabetes, and kidney disease. It can also cause shock.

Diseases due to sweating

If excessive sweating is associated with a medical condition, it is called secondary hyperhidrosis. Many people are interested in what diseases cause a person to sweat a lot. Doctors identify the main diseases that cause excessive sweating:

• diabetes;
• hyperthyroidism;
• pheochromocytoma;
• generalized anxiety disorder;
• myocardial infarction;
• HIV AIDS;
• leukemia;
• malaria;
• ARVI;
• tuberculosis;
• kidney disease;
• menopause;
• obesity.

Therapists remind that hyperhidrosis is sometimes a side effect of taking certain medications, including some beta blockers and antidepressants.

Diseases of the endocrine system in which a person sweats a lot

In diseases of the endocrine system, a symptom is profuse sweating. Endocrinologists identify common diseases:

• Hyperthyroidism. A pathology characterized by too strong functioning of the thyroid gland. Hyperhidrosis in this case is caused by thyroid hormones, the consequence of which is excessive heat generation, which leads to the release of a large amount of sweat.
• Diabetes. Everyone knows the diagnosis, which is characterized by an increase in blood sugar levels. In this case, increased sweating does not occur in all parts of the body, but only in its upper part: face, palms, armpits. The lower part even becomes overdried.
• Anemia causes people to sweat excessively.
• Obesity. Overweight people, as a rule, have impaired metabolism and the functioning of the endocrine glands. Eating spicy and fatty foods leads to excessive activity of the sweat glands.
• Hepatitis. Although excessive sweating is not the main effect of hepatitis, hepatitis is often accompanied by excessive sweating. It occurs especially often in men with viral hepatitis.

Diabetes

There are three types of sweating:

• Unreasonable sweating. When excessive sweating was not caused by high temperature or exercise;
• Gustatory sweating: triggered by food and limited to the face and neck
• Night sweats caused by low blood glucose levels during the night.

Thyrotoxicosis

Thyrotoxicosis is a disease in which too much thyroid hormone is produced. Symptoms of thyrotoxicosis vary and are more severe in the later stages of the disease. The disease accelerates the body's chemical processes, and therefore the possibility of excessive sweating.

Anemia

With anemia (low levels of hemoglobin in the blood), shortness of breath occurs when performing physical work. Anemia often causes excessive sweating.

Climax

Disturbed hormonal levels during menopause lead to excessive sweating. Seventy-five percent of women complain of increased sweating during and in anticipation of menopause. For some women, the problem is so serious that a change of clothing becomes necessary.

Doctors suspect that sweating during menopause is caused by fluctuations or decreases in estrogen levels.

Acromegaly

Acromegaly is a disease of the endocrine system that occurs as a result of a benign tumor of the pituitary gland in the brain. In addition to disproportionate growth of muscles and bones, one of the symptoms is excessive sweating.

Infectious diseases

Therapists identify pathologies that are accompanied by sweating as a process of the body’s natural defense against overheating:

• Flu, ARVI. Fever present in the early stages of the disease. Sweating in this case is a kind of protective reaction of the body to it.
• Bronchitis. Characterized by persistent high temperature. This is what causes hyperhidrosis.

Doctors also identify more dangerous pathologies:

• Tuberculosis. Tuberculosis is also characterized by excessive sweating at night.
• Malaria. The disease is accompanied by fever, chills, and, as a result, excessive sweating.

ARVI

Acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI) are diseases of the respiratory tract, accompanied by a high temperature observed at first. This leads to excessive sweating, which helps lower the temperature.

Sweating as a symptom of tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is a lung disease that is accompanied by various symptoms. Among them are cough with blood discharge, fever, chest pain. An important symptom of tuberculosis is excessive sweating. A characteristic symptom of this disease is excessive sweating at night.

Other infections with signs of sweating

The list of infectious diseases, a sign of which is excessive sweating, includes malaria, common purulent bacteria and even syphilis. Speaking about syphilis, it should be mentioned that this disease affects the nerve fibers that contribute to the active functioning of the sebaceous glands.

Oncological pathologies

Oncologists say that different types of cancer can lead to sweating. These include non-Hodgkin lymphoma and Hodgkin lymphoma, carcinoid tumors, leukemia, mesothelioma, bone cancer, kidney cancer and liver cancer. Doctors are not able to fully understand why some types of cancer lead to this disease, but this may be a response of the body and evidence of the fight against the syndrome. However, the fact remains. People with advanced cancer of any type sometimes experience this condition.

Neurological diseases

High stress and anxiety disorders are sometimes a symptom of excessive sweating. Psychotherapists, psychologists and hypnotherapists talk about this. Anxiety and stress can cause a fever, leading to increased sweating. Some psychotropic drugs sometimes cause excessive sweating.

Parkinson's syndrome

The disease is characterized by damage to the autonomic system. As a result, people suffering from Parkinsonism also suffer from hyperhidrosis.

Cardiovascular problems

Cardiologists identify the main diseases leading to hyperhidrosis:

• myocardial infarction;
• hypertension;
• stroke;
• rheumatism.