What is Hyperhidrosis?

Doctor Answers (4)



Hyperhidrosis is the condition of excessive sweating.

It can affect nearly any body part that contains sweat glands although axillary hyperhidrosis (armpit) is the most common form. In the past, hyperhidrosis which cannot be managed with anti-perspirants was managed by severing the nerves that supply the sweat glands. Recently the availability of Botox to block the nerves has been useful in non-surgical management of the condition.

Other commonly requested treatmment areas include the palms, occasionally the soles of the feet and the forehead.

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 51 reviews

Increased sweating


Increased sweating in different areas of the body mainly the hands, underarms, and feet. This causes some major social and personal discomfort.

Different treatment options imclude using Botox especially for underarms, local skin care products, and surgery in severe cases.



Hisham Seify, MD, PhD, FACS
Orange County Plastic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 6 reviews



Hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating beyond physiologic sweating which results in profuse sweating of the palms, underarms (axillae), feet (plantar) and face. It is of unknown etiology and afflicts in one form or another, 3% of the population.

What is known about hyperhidrosis is that it causes severe occupational, emotional and social distress.

Patients describe hyperhidrosis of the palms as so debilitating that it interferes with their social interaction with others. They cannot shake hands with others for fear of "sweating" and "turning off" business acquaintances or friends, social friends and sexual mates. The simple prospect of someone extending a hand for a handshake causes more emotional stress, indeed making the hyperhidrosis worse.

Others complain of sweating in the face and scalp, or simply "blushing" excessively. This response is quick in onset and last minutes. Often, patients remark that they feel the "blushing" and it bothers them very much, making a social interaction quite disabling from an emotional standpoint.

In large reported series, 15% to as much of 50% of patients with hyperhidrosis have a family history of hyperhidrosis.

Treatment of hyperhidrosis


Hyperhidrosis is a condition characterized by excessive sweating that does not respond to the outside environmental temperature. Fortunately, there are solutions to the problem.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 56 reviews
