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PerspirationSweating, or perspiration, is a normal phenomenon in Humans. The evaporation of the water from the skin takes heat away from the body and so sweating is essential for temperature control. In the animal kingdom, we find that humans are the smallest animals that sweat. Larger animals, such as elephants, depend on sweating as well as other behavioural patterns to control their temperature. Smaller animal, such as dogs, cannot sweat and as such have to lose heat in other ways – for example dogs get rid of heat by panting. In panting it is the evaporation of the water off of the dog's tongue that cools the blood in dog's tongue which then circulates and cools the dog. The control of sweating in the Human is via the sympathetic nervous system. The first nerve runs from the brain, down the spinal cord and then comes out and communicates with a second sympathetic nerve which lies in the sympathetic chain. The sympathetic chain lies on the bone of the spinal column. This second nerve then runs from the sympathetic chain to the skin where it connects to the sweat glands. To understand this chain allows understanding of the treatment of hyperhidrosis. As with all human conditions, there is a wide range of "normal" with some people hardly sweating at all, whilst others sweat to a much larger extent. Most normal or heavy sweating can be controlled with shop bought anti-perspirants or aluminium chloride. When the amount of sweating is excessive and cannot be controlled by these measures it is termed "hyperhidrosis". Although some people have hyperhidrosis as a consequence of another illness, in many others it is merely due to overactive sweat glands or overactivity of the sympathetic nervous system. Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) of the face, armpits, hands or feet can ruin the life of someone suffering from it. Problems The effects that hyperhidrosis has on the individual depend upon what area of the body has excessive sweating. The Face - Facial Flushing Many of us go red and get a little facially sweaty when embarrassed or when exerting ourselves. Some young women also get a pronounced flushing when aroused. However, in some people the facial flushing and blushing is excessive, leading to difficulties in both the work and social situations. Severe facial blushing can make a patient feel so uncomfortable around other people that they start to hide away from social or even work situations. Severe facial sweating can cause severe embarrassment and can cause problems at work - particularly if food or documents can be dripped upon. The Armpit – Axillary Hyperhidrosis Excessive sweating from the armpits (axillae) can be more than just annoying – it can alter the way some people live their lives. People suffering from axillary hyperhidrosis find that they have to be very careful about what clothes that they buy or wear and find that they are very self conscious in the social setting, particularly if hot or if nervous. At work people suffering from axillary hyperhidrosis are always conscious of what they are wearing and if they can remove their outer garments - or whether this might reveal embarrassing sweat marks on their clothes. Relief of the condition allows the sufferer a new freedom. The Hand – Palmar Hyperhidrosis Hyperhidrosis of the hand can be a particularly upsetting problem. Having permanently soaking hands can cause people to have difficulty writing on paper without marking it, to hold pens or other implements and to shake hands without undue embarrassment. This can lead to problems at work, home or in education. As such treatment of the condition can lead to a vastly improved quality of life. The Groin - Groin Hyperhidrosis The groin is an area that can sweat excessively and become very uncomfortable. In many people this can be easily hidden and does not cause a problem. However, in a few there can be severe sweating that needs treatment. The Feet - Plantar Hyperhidrosis Many people complain of sweaty feet. As the feet spend much of their time in socks and shoes, the problem is less of the moisture produced, but more the smell that occurs from the action of the moisture on the materials of the footwear and also from the bacterial breakdown and overgrowth stimulated by the damp and warm conditions. Simple remedies should be tried first and these will be effective in most people. In those that they are not, a consultation with a doctor should be arranged to check that there is no underlying cause of the condition. Thyroid disease and 2 others conditions - Phaechromocytoma and Carcinoid syndrome - need to be excluded before any more complex treatment is started. This is usually one blood test and a 24 hour urine collection - and this can be done in most GP surgeries. If these are clear, the conservative treatments should be considered and tried if relevant. If these fail or are not appropriate then referral for one of the more specialist treatments should be sought. In those suffering from hyperhidrosis in face, axillae, groins, feet or hands effective treatments are now available. Cold compresses made using Cypress, Lemongrass and Tea Tree essential oils can help the sufferer and also baths using these oils can benefit. |
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