Excessive Sweating Q & A

Why do I sweat excessively?

You may sweat more than average if you have an underlying medical condition, but if there is no explanation, you could have a disorder called primary hyperhidrosis. This condition occurs when you have overactive sweat glands and may be hereditary. If you do have an underlying condition, your excessive sweating is called secondary hyperhidrosis.

Dr. Borkowsky Rubell is a board-certified dermatologist who specializes in diagnosing and treating both primary and secondary hyperhidrosis. First, she looks for any underlying factors such as:
- Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)
- Menopause
- Obesity or diabetes
- Stress or anxiety disorders
- Hiatal hernia
- Drug interactions

If there is no other health condition or cause for concern, Dr. Borkowsky Rubell recommends treatment options for your excessive sweating. In most cases, this condition, known as focal or localized hyperhidrosis, isn’t cause for alarm.

What are the symptoms of focal hyperhidrosis?

If you have sweating that affects certain parts of your body, it’s considered focal, or localized. For those with this condition, symptoms include excessive sweating in one or more of the following:

- Under your arms
- The groin area
- Head or face
- Hands or feet
In most cases, with localized hyperhidrosis, symptoms affect both sides of your body equally, and although it isn’t cause for concern, it can negatively impact the quality of your life.

What is generalized sweating?

Secondary hyperhidrosis is less common than primary hyperhidrosis and causes excessive sweating all over your body. This condition is also more serious than primary hyperhidrosis because it indicates an underlying health condition. A common symptom of secondary hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating at night.

When should I see a doctor for excessive sweating?

If you have any of the following symptoms, it is important to schedule an appointment with a dermatologist who can determine the underlying etiology:

- Night sweats several nights a week
- Generalized sweating all over your body
- Asymmetrical sweating on just one side of your body
- Sudden changes in your sweat patterns
- Changes in sweating after taking a new medication
- Sweating accompanied by other symptoms like fatigue, increased thirst, frequent urination, or a cough.

Potential treatment options included topical prescription antiperspirants, oral medications to decrease sweating or injections such as Botox.

Whether excessive sweating is negatively affecting your quality of life or you think you may have an underlying health concern, call or schedule an appointment at the Midtown Manhattan location.