What Causes Excessive Sweating?
Hyperhidrosis can be caused by overactive sweat glands or be secondary to another medical condition. Our dermatologists distinguish between primary and secondary hyperhidrosis to create a personalized treatment plan that addresses the root cause. With options including prescription-strength topicals, neurotoxin injections, and cutting-edge technology, we’ll guide you toward lasting relief.
Primary Focal Hyperhidrosis
Primary focal hyperhidrosis is a medical condition characterized by excessive sweating on certain parts of the body, such as the hands, feet, underarms and head. Unlike other forms of excessive sweating, primary focal hyperhidrosis is not caused by another medical condition or medication side-effect. It tends to affect both sides of the body equally (in a “symmetric” pattern), and usually produces more sweat in specific “focal areas”. For example, people with sweaty palms often have concurrent excessive sweating in their feet as well. It usually begins in childhood or adolescence.
Secondary Generalized Hyperhidrosis
Secondary generalized hyperhidrosis is a type of excessive sweating caused by an underlying medical condition or by taking certain medications. As its name implies, the hallmark of secondary hyperhidrosis is generalized sweating on multiple areas of the body, including the face, chest, and back. It can also be accompanied by night sweats while sleeping.