Frequent Forms Of Hyperhidrosis
There are two major types of hyperhidrosis to help physicians and patients better comprehend the underlying causes and then select the most effective treatment plan. Primary or focal hyperhidrosis and secondary or generalized hyperhidrosis are the two most common forms of hyperhidrosis. Understanding the distinction between the two varieties of hyperhidrosis is one of the most important aspects of understanding hyperhidrosis. Following is a summary of the two forms of hyperhidrosis:
1- Essential or focal hyperhidrosis
Primary or focal hyperhidrosis refers to excessive sweating that is not caused by another medical disorder or condition, nor is it a medication adverse effect. Focused hyperhidrosis is the most common cause of excessive perspiration without accompanying medical conditions. Primary or focal hyperhidrosis is its own medical disorder and a form of sweating that develops in certain focal areas of the body. In addition, the excessive perspiration symptoms of primary hyperhidrosis are somewhat symmetrical, meaning that both sides of the body, i.e. the right and the left, are affected similarly. (2)
The areas of the body most commonly affected by perspiration are the feet, underarms, face or head, and hands. However, the majority of hyperhidrosis sufferers tend to experience excessive perspiration on multiple body parts. For instance, individuals with sweaty palms almost always also experience clammy feet. Primary hyperhidrosis typically manifests in late childhood or early adolescence, particularly as clammy feet and hands. Interestingly, although the majority of individuals with the primary type of hyperhidrosis experience excessive sweating at least once per week, they are typically not affected by excessive sweating during sleep.
2- Generalized or Secondary Hyperhidrosis
The other significant form of hyperhidrosis is secondary or generalized hyperhidrosis, which is caused by a medical condition or a side effect of a medication. Secondary hyperhidrosis derives its name from its etiology, as it is a side effect of medication or a medical condition. In contrast to patients with primary or focal hyperhidrosis, those with secondary hyperhidrosis experience excessive sweating on larger body regions or the entire body. Generalized areas of the body, such as the thighs, abdomen, and back, are affected by excessive perspiration. In addition, a critical distinction between the two types of hyperhidrosis is that patients with secondary or generalized hyperhidrosis may experience symptoms of sweating during sleep. (3)
The symptoms of secondary hyperhidrosis typically manifest in maturity, whereas those of primary hyperhidrosis manifest in adolescence or childhood. Determining the presence of an underlying medical condition or a medication’s adverse effect is a common step in the search for potential and systematic treatment courses for treating the symptoms of secondary or generalized hyperhidrosis. Some medications may also induce excessive sweating and may be the underlying cause of secondary or generalized hyperhidrosis. In the case of secondary hyperhidrosis resulting from an underlying medical condition, no significant symptom should be disregarded.