Are there different types of Hyperhidrosis?
Primary (focal) hyperhidrosis, oftentimes starting around puberty, is excessive sweating which is not caused by another medical condition. Most commonly, the armpits (technically called the axillae), the hands, the feet and the groin are involved. Occasionally, the face, back and chest are also affected. The sweating is usually symmetric (i.e. both sides equally affected) and rarely occurs while sleeping. Secondary hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating as a side effect of another medical condition, such as menopause, cancer, diabetes or of taking some medications. It often occurs while sleeping. Treatment options There are a number of treatment options for primary, focal hyperhidrosis. Treatment for secondary hyperhidrosis should be directed towards correction, if possible, of the underlying causes. For primary hyperhidrosis, it is best to start with simple methods and then, if they fail, progress to more aggressive treatments. Initially, one should consider anti-perspirants, either over
