Is Excessive Sweat Causing Embarrassment?

Sweat is a natural part of life. The body was designed to release sweat as a means of cooling the body when it is overheated. Sweating during exercise is normal, and many people judge the quality of their workouts by how much sweat is pouring off their bodies when they are finished. Not everyone likes to sweat, and many people sweat in different ways. Regardless of which camp you fall into, excessive sweating is an undesirable condition that can cause extreme embarrassment in social and personal situations.

The skin has two types of sweat glands: apocrine and eccrine. Eccrine glands are found all over the body. These glands are controlled by the nervous system and body temperature, and they open directly onto the surface of the skin. Apocrine glands, however, open into hair follicles that lead to the skin’s surface. When it comes to unwanted sweat, apocrine glands are the ones people are troubled by because they are responsible for the sweat on the scalp, armpits, and groin.

Having sweaty areas on the body is often as unpleasant as it is embarrassing. Standing up in front of your professional colleagues to give a presentation with sweaty armpit stains on your shirt is awkward. A sweaty groin area can be bothersome throughout the day, and because of its private nature, you are often unable to do much about it away from home.

Excessive sweating is called hyperhidrosis, and it is a condition that affects millions of people in the United States each year. There are some causes of hyperhidrosis that are common to many sufferers:

• Eating spicy foods
• Excessive caffeine consumption
• Emotions
• Nerve disorders
• Hormonal disturbances (pregnancy, menopause, etc.)
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Metastatic tumor
• Disturbances of the sympathetic nervous system

MiraDry is an in-office dermatology treatment for hyperhidrosis. At Kayal Dermatology, we understand that excessive sweating can lead to embarrassing situations that hinder your day-to-day life. To learn more about treatment for hyperhidrosis, contact our practice today.