What Causes Excessive Sweating?
Excessive sweating is a more common condition than you might think. But if you’re suffering from this ailment and you need answers, it can be tough to know where to turn. Here’s some information that might help.
What is Excessive Sweating?
Excessive sweating is more or less what it sounds like. The average person may sweat on a hot day, after an intense workout, or because they’re nervous or anxious about something in their life. But when you’re suffering from excessive sweating, it can feel like you’re dripping wet for no reason at all. This condition most commonly occurs in areas of the body that already produce the most sweat. This includes under your arms, your hands, your forehead and upper lip, and your feet. It’s also common to experience excessive sweating behind the knees and inside of your elbows. While this condition is rarely harmful, it can be extremely embarrassing. But what causes excessive sweating? Let’s review a few potential causes.
Hyperhidrosis
What is hyperhidrosis? This term is often used interchangeably with excessive sweating, but the reality is that hyperhidrosis is one of the many potential causes of excessive sweating. Primary hyperhidrosis causes the nerves responsible for triggering your sweat glands to become overactive. As a result, you’ll produce much more sweat than necessary in situations of high stress or high heat. It’s also possible for your hyperhidrosis to be localized in one area, such as your underarms or your feet. It’s believed that this condition is, in part, hereditary. So if a member of your family has suffered from excessive sweating in the past, it’s likely that you’ll also develop this condition. Of course, there are hyperhidrosis treatment options available to you. If you think your excessive sweating is the result of hyperhidrosis, make sure you speak with your dermatologist.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Excessive sweating can be caused by a number of different things, and one of them is anxiety. Anxiety disorders come with a wide array of symptoms, so excessive sweating might not be the first thing you experience. If you think your excessive sweating may be a result of an undiagnosed anxiety disorder, keep an eye out for accompanying symptoms that include fatigue, muscle tension or aches, trouble sleeping, nausea, and irritability. These may all be signs that you need to see a doctor to determine whether you have an anxiety disorder.
Stress
In a similar vein, stress may also be an underlying cause for your excessive sweating. We tend to produce more sweat and body odor when we’re feeling nervous or strained. If you’re experiencing unusually high levels of stress and suffering from excessive sweating at the same time, it may be time to take a break!
If you’re experiencing excessive sweating and you need answers or want to figure out an effective treatment program, set up a consultation today. Our team at North Pacific Dermatology would be happy to answer your questions and help you find the relief you’ve been looking for.