Do I Have Hyperhidrosis?
Sweating is an ordinary process for our bodies. In simple terms, everyone sweats. Sometimes, however, it is possible that you are sweating more than average and during times where it is more atypical and unexpected. There could be a range of explanations for this, but there is also a possibility that you have hyperhidrosis. Hyperhidrosis is essentially excessive sweating. Although there are no dangerous or risky side-effects of this condition, it can be uncomfortable, embarrassing, and cause a lot of stress and even social anxiety in your life. If you find yourself excessively sweating, you may be wondering, “Do I have hyperhidrosis?” Luckily, the Center of Hyperhidrosis specializes in this condition and can help you understand how to know if you have hyperhidrosis.
How to Know if you Have Hyperhidrosis
There are many different factors that play into hyperhidrosis. To understand how to know if you have hyperhidrosis, it is first necessary to learn some key facts about the condition. First and foremost, an estimated 7.8 million Americans have hyperhidrosis. So while this statistic does not reach massive quantities, hyperhidrosis is more common than you may think and is nothing to be ashamed of. Next, having hyperhidrosis is not linked to any other conditions or bodily malfunctions. In fact, it is most typical in otherwise healthy individuals. Additionally, it is more common to have hyperhidrosis if another member of your family also has the condition. Hyperhidrosis can affect anyone at any age, however, so it is important to be aware of the changes and signs your body is giving off. Lastly, hyperhidrosis is treatable, so you do not have to live with this condition any longer than you want to. These are all important parts to understanding how to know if you have hyperhidrosis, and should be kept in mind if you find yourself asking, “Do I have hyperhidrosis?” On the other hand, there are some signs of hyperhidrosis that can help you to better understand how to know if you have hyperhidrosis, as discussed below.
Signs of Hyperhidrosis
Hyperhidrosis is most commonly found in the hands, feet, armpits, and groin areas. This is because of the high concentration of sweat glands in these areas, causing them to be more active than in other regions of the body. If you notice that any of these parts of your body are experiencing excessive sweating, then it is important to be aware of other signs of hyperhidrosis, listed below. That way, you can take note of your various signs in order to better answer the question, “Do I have hyperhidrosis?” and take action if the answer is yes.
Timing & Frequency
If you very rarely find yourself dealing with excessive sweating, then the cause of your sweating may stem from some other outside source. With hyperhidrosis, typically you would be dealing with excessive sweating at least once a week, and the timing would not really follow any sort of pattern. If your sweating is random and during everyday, normal activities, this may be a sign of hyperhidrosis.
Clamminess
Oftentimes, the excessive sweating of your hands or feet from hyperhidrosis will also bring associated clamminess and wetness. If you find yourself dealing with fairly consistent clamminess, then this too may be a sign of hyperhidrosis.
Noticeably, Frequent Sweat Stains
Nobody likes to deal with sweat stains, but everyone has to face this problem every once in a while. On the other hand, if you find yourself noticeably sweating through your clothes on a semi-frequent or frequent basis, this is a good indication that you may be dealing with hyperhidrosis.
Secondary Hyperhidrosis- Underlying Conditions
There are certain cases where secondary hyperhidrosis may be the cause of some excessive sweating. This form of hyperhidrosis stems from an underlying condition that a person may already have that is leading them to sweat in increased amounts. This can include obesity, menopause, diabetes, tumors, and more. If you are excessively sweating and have any of these conditions (or others that may be linked to sweating or increased body temperature) this could be a good indication or sign of hyperhidrosis in this form.
Skin Irritations
If you are consistently dealing with skin irritations like itching, rashes, and especially bacterial or fungal infections, your sweating levels may be higher than just the typical amount of sweating. This is most definitely a sign of hyperhidrosis and is a prime indicator that treatment may be the best course of action for you.
Social Implications
If your sweat levels begin to have a large effect on your social life, it may be safe to say that you are dealing with excessive sweating. No one is particularly eager to sweat in front of others, but if you are worried about sweating in everyday interactions, avoiding physical contact because of your concerns, or are excessively worried about body odor and sweat stains, then you may be dealing with hyperhidrosis. Again, if this is the case and you are experiencing real social implications from sweating in your personal life, treatment options are undoubtedly worth exploring.
Overall, these are a few of the most common signs of hyperhidrosis. It is important to be aware of the signs that your body is giving off and to become familiar with what is normal for your individual self. Taking a log of your sweating habits and patterns in a journal may be helpful in identifying if you are dealing with hyperhidrosis. In the end, evaluating your body for these signs of hyperhidrosis may be a good way to indicate whether or not you have the condition and whether or not treatment is the best option for you.
How The Center for Hyperhidrosis Can Help
Now that you better understand the signs of hyperhidrosis, you are more equipped to answer, “Do I have hyperhidrosis?” Luckily, The Center of Hyperhidrosis is here to identify exactly what you are dealing with and explore the different ways that we can help. The Center of Hyperhidrosis offers a number of different treatments to combat hyperhidrosis, and we are happy to help you choose the next steps that are right for you. Learn more about our practices on our site or give us a call today at 212-341-1354. We look forward to hearing from you and showing you how we can help!
