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In hyperhidrosis (excess sweating), look for a pattern and cause
1University of Medicine and Dentistry, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, USA. stolman@comcast.net
Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine
|November 19, 2003
Summary
Understanding hyperhidrosis patterns is key to identifying causes. Generalized excessive sweating may signal systemic disease or medication side effects, while focal sweating is often idiopathic, triggered by emotions.
Area of Science:
- Medicine
- Dermatology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating, presents in generalized or localized forms.
- It can be classified as primary (idiopathic) or secondary to other conditions.
- Identifying the pattern is crucial for etiological diagnosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the diagnostic significance of hyperhidrosis patterns.
- To differentiate between primary and secondary causes of excessive sweating.
- To correlate sweating patterns with potential underlying etiologies.
Main Methods:
- Review of clinical presentations of hyperhidrosis.
- Classification of hyperhidrosis based on distribution (generalized vs. focal).
- Categorization based on etiology (primary vs. secondary).
Main Results:
- Generalized hyperhidrosis is frequently associated with systemic diseases or medication use.
- Focal hyperhidrosis is often primary and idiopathic.
- Emotional stimuli can trigger focal hyperhidrosis, but it's not typically a psychiatric disorder.
Conclusions:
- Hyperhidrosis pattern analysis aids in identifying underlying causes.
- Distinguishing between generalized and focal hyperhidrosis is essential for diagnosis.
- Secondary causes, including systemic illness and medications, should be considered in generalized cases.