Do we know how, why and when hyperhidrosis starts?
Most physicians think they do! As a matter of fact, until the study performed by Dr. Ramos and colleagues from the Servicio de Cirugia Toracica, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain, there was no scientific data to support most assertions. Most of our observations were empiric, learned by treating patients with hyperhidrosis. The objective of their study was to study the clinical aspects of the patients with primary hyperhidrosis. From January 1998 to October 2002, 338 patients with primary hyperhidrosis were surveyed to learn more about their presenting symptoms, signs and social indicators of their quality of life. In 86% of patients, primary hyperhidrosis started during infancy. The vast majority of patients (71.5%) were female with a mean age of 29 years. In 47.9% of the patients there is family history of primary hyperhidrosis. 96% reported palmar hyperhidrosis (of the hands) 81% have plantar hyperhidrosis (of the feet) 71% reported axill
