Treatment Overview

This condition can be generalised or localised to certain parts of the body. Increased sweating is a normal response to a rise in body temperature, and to emotions such as anxiety. Sweating is one of the most important ways in which the body loses heat; however, people with hyperhidrosis produce more sweat than needed to control their body temperature. If you have ever suffered with anxiety and then had sweaty armpits at an occasion, you will know how upsetting this can be.

People who suffer with excessive sweating can be affected in winter as well as the summer. Often there is no body odour, just a damp patch that shows up and gets worse the more you think about it. Hyperhidrosis can produce a large volume of sweat. This means that the hands, feet, chest, or armpits (depending on which part of the body is affected) may be constantly damp. This can affect everyday activities and cause embarrassment.

Hyperhidrosis is a common problem for men and women and is estimated to affect 1–3% of the UK population. The most visual symptoms of hyperhidrosis are usually found in the armpit, where over-production of sweat presents as damp patches, although it can also be troublesome in the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.