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Don’t Sweat It: A guide to managing sweat

It’s that time of year when our bodies are constantly veiled in a thin layer of uncomfortable moisture. Due to a condition called hyperhidrosis, some people are prone to producing an excessive amount sweat. Everyone sweats; but hyperhidrosis causes people to perspire unpredictably, even in cooler weather and during non-strenuous conditions. Regardless of whether you have hyperhidrosis, sweating impacts people’s everyday life. Fortunately, there are ways to manage it.

Do I have hyperhidrosis?

Hyperhidrosis is a common condition that nearly one in every 20 people in the U.S. have. Although sweating is a natural body process, the condition limits people from doing routine tasks like writing with a pen or gripping a steering wheel. Hyperhidrosis can significantly impact people’s social relationships, activities and emotional health in a negative way.

Types of Hyperhidrosis:

There are two types of hyperhidrosis: primary and secondary.

  • Primary hyperhidrosis is defined as excessive sweating without a physical condition and is localized to the usual active regions.
  • Secondary hyperhidrosis is due to an underlying condition and is more generalized to the whole body.

How do I treat it?

Hyperhidrosis is a very managable condition, yet many do not seek treatment. Of the people diagnosed with hyperhidrosis, 60 percent do not know it is a medical condition and 47 percent do not know it’s treatable. A dermatologist can help determine the best form of treatment for your particular situation.

Sweat Hacks

Whether you have hyperhidrosis or not, here are some tips that can help you manage it:

  • Caffeine. Caffeine is a sweat trigger, so cutting back on coffee and tea will help reduce the amount of daily sweat.
  • Deodorants. Deodorants mask body odor, but do not stop excessive sweating. “Clinical strength” antiperspirants contain ingredients like aluminum chloride, which will temporarily block sweat pores.
  • Foods. Spicy foods can increase the amount of sweat you produce.
  • Fabrics. Cotton and other natural fabrics are breathable and will allow air to reach your skin.
  • Water. Sweating happens when your body temperature gets too high. Drinking water and staying hydrated will help regulate your body temperature.
  • Alcohol. Reducing alcohol intake is good for your health and can reduce the amount of excessive sweat.

With up to five million sweat glands in the human body, sweating is a part of everyday life. It’s uncomfortable and embarrassing, but we all do it. If you sweat excessively enough that it impacts your everyday life, it may be time to visit a dermatologist.

Schedule an appointment with Knoxville Dermatology Group to determine which treatment option is right for you. To make an appointment, contact us at (865) 690-9467 or online at www.knoxderm.com.

How Not to Let ‘Em See You Sweat

sweating_hyperhidrosis

Some activities or situations cause us to sweat more. Exercise, stress and even the weather gets our sweat glands working hard to regulate our body temperature. But if you’ve experienced excessive and unpredictable sweating, you may have what is called hyperhidrosis.

Hyperhidrosis is a condition characterized by sweating up to four times the necessary amount for body temperature regulationand is caused by an overreaction to stimuli. This unpredictable, cumbersome reaction affects your hands, feet, armpits and face but can affect the entire body as well. Hyperhidrosis affects around 3 percent of the population, but more than half of the people affected are never diagnosed or treated for their symptoms.

You may experience hyperhidrosis because of family genetics, or it could be a symptom of an underlying condition like diabetes or congestive heart failure. If you feel like you are sweating more than usual, it’s best to consult one of our certified physicians at Knoxville Dermatology Group to help determine the cause and suggest effective treatment.

If you have any questions about hyperhidrosis or about changes in your skin, please call us today at 865-690-9467. Skin health is an important part of total body wellness. Schedule an appointment with one of our board certified physicians to get your skin the care it needs so it can reach its fullest, healthiest potential.

Sweating It Out

We’ve all heard the saying, “Don’t sweat the small stuff!” Well some of us can’t help but sweat, especially in this summer heat. Outside of the normal causes like stress, exercise and emotions, some of us can’t control our sweating, and it’s getting in the way. This excessive, unpredictable sweating is called hyperhidrosis.

Hyperhidrosis is characterized by an overreaction to stimuli and sweating up to four times the necessary amount for temperature regulation. It is unpredictable and disrupts daily activity. Your hands, feet, armpits and face are most commonly affected but hyperhidrosis usually encompasses the body as a whole. Around 3 percent of the population is affected by hyperhidrosis but more than half of the people affected are never diagnosed or treated for their symptoms.

The causes of hyperhidrosis can be linked to family genetics, but hyperhidrosis is typically a symptom of an underlying condition. It has been linked to various medical conditions such as diabetes, congestive heart failure and tumors. Although there are several suggestions on how to treat hyperhidrosis, your best option would be to consult one of our certified physicians at Knoxville Dermatology Group. Call today at 865-690-9467.

Skin health is an important part of total body wellness. Schedule an appointment with one of our board certified physicians to get your skin the care it needs so it can reach its fullest, healthiest potential.