HYPERHIDROSIS |
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DESCRIPTIONHyperhidrosis means excessive sweating. Sweating is a normal body function that helps maintain even body temperature. Excess sweat serves no purpose and often creates social embarrassment because of odor or stained clothes. In extreme cases, excess sweat can ruin clothes and shoes. The skin, especially of the underarms, genital area, palms, and soles, is involved. Hyperhidrosis can affect older children but not infants.
Appropriate health care includes:
Self-care.
Physician's monitoring of general condition and medications for underlying conditions, or if self-care is unsuccessful.
Psychotherapy or counseling, if stress is a major factor.
Surgery to remove sweat glands or sever nerves to major sweat areas (rare).
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
Heavy perspiration from underarm area, soles, and palms--and to a lesser degree, from other body parts.
Unpleasant odor, which is caused by bacteria in sweat.
CAUSES
Stress or chronic anxiety.
Fever and infection.
Malignancy, such as lymphoma.
Hyperthyroidism.
Heart attack.
Some drugs and medicines, such as narcotics.
Withdrawal from addicting drugs.
Unknown in some cases.
RISK FACTORS
Stress.
Strenuous activity.
Hot weather.
PREVENTING COMPLICATIONS OR RECURRENCEEncourage your child to resolve tension-causing conditions. See Appendix 19.
BASIC INFORMATION
MEDICAL TESTS
Your own observation of symptoms.
Medical history and physical exam by a doctor.
POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS
Psychological distress caused by social embarrassment.
Rashes from deodorants or antiperspirants.
Dehydration if water intake is insufficient to replace water lost in sweat.
PROBABLE OUTCOME
Your child's symptoms can be controlled with treatment.
TREATMENT
HOME CAREInstructions for your child:
Bathe frequently.
Change clothes frequently.
Wear loose-fitting clothes of natural fibers, such as cotton.
Use underarm sweat shields.
Use antiperspirants and deodorants.
Use drying powders.
Wear cotton socks.
Wear leather shoes or sandals. Don't use man-made materials.
MEDICATION
Your doctor may prescribe:
Tranquilizers or anti-cholinergics to reduce activity of the central nervous system.
Special solutions to reduce sweating, such as topical applications of aluminum chloride.
See Medications section for information regarding medicines your doctor may prescribe.
ACTIVITY
No restrictions.
DIET & FLUIDS
No special diet. Urge your child to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day -- more in hot weather.
OK TO GO TO SCHOOL?Yes.
CALL YOUR DOCTOR IF
Excessive sweating is causing your child problems at school or work or in social situations.
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