hyperhydrosis ii
TRANSCRIPT
HYPERHYDROSIS: CAUSES AND EFFECTS
MAY, 2012
TABLE OF CONTENTINTRODUCTIONMECHANISM OF SWEATINGDEFINITIONCLASSIFICATIONGENETICSCAUSES OF HYPERHYDROSISSOCIAL EFFECTDIAGNOSISTREATMENTCONCLUSIONREFERENCES
INTRODUCTIONSweating is a normal bodily function, but for some people, it can be an embarrassing or traumatic experience. They find themselves changing clothes several times a day; they sweat even when the weather is cool and when they are not doing any strenuous work.A number of these people do not realize they are suffering from a disorder called hyperhydrosis, or the condition can be treated.
The human body has about 2-5 million sweat glands. The two main ones are; eccrine and apocrine.
Eccrine Sweat Glands
Approximately 3 million eccrine sweat glands
Secrete a clear, odorless fluid
Aid in regulating body temperature
Areas of concentration:Facial, plantar, and
axillae
Apocrine Sweat GlandsInactive until pubertyProduce thick fluidSecretions come in
contact with bacteria on the skin and produce characteristic “body odor”
Found in axillary and genital areas
MECHANISM OF SWEATINGHypothalamus serve as the thermoregulatory centre. It controls both blood flow and sweat output to the skin’s surface. It is triggered by exercise, temperature change, hormones and stress. Once trigger send message to the spinal cord via neurotransmitters (acetylcholine an catecholamine). These neurotransmitters travel down to ganglion to nerves innervating the skin’s surface
Photo used with permission: The Whiteley Clinic,2007
DEFINITION
Hyperhydrosis is a state of excessive sweating of the axilla, palms, soles, or face that interferes with daily activities. It is a condition characterized by abnormally increased perspiration in excess of that required for thermal regulation.
University of Miami Cosmetic Center, 2007
CLASSIFICATIONHyperhydrosis is classified into primary
and secondary types.• Primary type: is associated with hyperactivity of
the sympathetic nervous system and can affect one or several areas of the body (Strutton et al(2004), Hornberger et. al (2004)), starts during childhood or adolescence.
• Secondary type: is caused by other factors mainly disorders.
GENETICSHyperhydrosis appear to be inherited in a
dorminant fashion. It was thought to be autosomal recessive genetic potential.
A new UCLA (University of California-Los Angeles) study published in the journal of vascular surgery shows strong evidence that sweaty palms syndrome is genetic (Champeau,2002).It is caused by dorminant gene, indicating that family members of those who have the disorder may suffer from it more than has been previously reported.
It has been found by the Department of Human Genetics of UCLA that as much as 5% of the population maybe at risk for some form of hyperhydrosis, commonly known as sweaty ‘palms syndrome’. Also according to research carried out by UCLA, it was found that 65% of the patients reported family recurrence of the disorder.
CAUSESExcessive sweating affects a great
number and there are various factors, this include;
heart attack: Infections: eg T.B those living with it.Malignancy: eg LymphomaObesity Neurologic and endocrine disorder (eg
hyperthyroidism, diabetes)Others; (anxiety, hypoglycemia,
menopause, stress) (Clinic, 2011)
SOCIAL EFFECTThis pose a lot of problem on individuals
with this disorder, such as;Low esteem and self confidenceEmbarrassmentRule out a career such as being a chefWorkplace limitations such as low output,
time management, mental and interpersonal tasks.
Social isolationDaily activities impacted
DIAGNOSISDiagnosis involve two types i.e. Patient’s examination (include history)
(Hornberger et. al, 2004).Clinical test could include; i. Minor starch
iodine test: this delineates the area of sweating by use of iodine solution in 3.5% of alcohol.
ii Thermoregulatory sweat Test (TST): This delineate the distribution response to a controlled heat and humidity stimulus (Fealey, 1997).
Photo used with permission: Eisenach, Atkinson, & Fealey, 2005
Treatment Option ReviewHYPERHYDROSIS
AXILLARY PALMOPLANTARTOPICAL TREATMENT
BOTOX IONTOPHORESIS
IONTOPHORESIS
LOCAL EXCISION
BOTOX
ETS
TREATMENTTreatment depends on the outcome of the
diagnosis and the area affected. Topical treatment: use of
Antiperspirants eg. Aluminum chloride hexahydrate, block sweat pore and reduce sweat, and also eliminate odour
Systemic treatment: use of Anticholinergics, has sympathetic inhibitory action.
Iontophoresis: block sweat duct by directing a mild electrical current through the skin (Hornberger et. al, 2003).
Treatment cont’n
Botox: use of Botulin toxin injection, inhibit nerve impulse (Heckman, 2001, Naumann and Lowe, 2001, lowe et. al, 2003).
Surgery: can be done for severe cases. It is of two types; (i) Local Excision (ii) Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy.
Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS) is the most effective of all. It also have some side effects.
CONCLUSIONHyperhydrosis is an embarrassing
disorder that even today is misconceived as rare and untreatable. It is aggravated during emotional stress and the pathophysiological mechanism appears to be hyperfunctioning of the gland.
Hyperhydrosis does not have to be a problem of epic proportion. By acknowledging the condition and by getting help from the right sources, you can minimize its impact on the quality of your life.
REFERENCES Fealey R.D (1997): Thermoregulatory sweat test. In:
low PA, ed. Clinical Autonomic Disorders. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, pa: Lippincott-Raven; 245-257
Hamm, H., Naumann, M., & Kowalski, J. (2006). Primary focal hyperhydrosis: Disease characteristics and functional impairment. Dermatology, 212. 343-353.
Heckmann M, Ceballos-Baumann A.O, Plewig G (2001): Hyperhydrosis study Group, Botulinum toxin A for axillary
hyperhydrosis; 344:111- 117. Hornberger J, Grimes K, Naumann M, et al. (2004 Aug):Multi- Specialty
Working Group on the Recognition, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Primary Focal Hyperhydrosis. Recognition, diagnosis, and treatment of
primary focal hyperhydrosis. JAmAcad Derm. 51(2):274-286,
•Mayo Clinic (2011): What causes excessive sweating, Article reviewed by M.J Ingram,
•Rachel Champeau (2002); Evidence that 'sweaty palms' syndrome’ is genetic , UCLA issues of the journal of vascular surgery• Reisfeld R, Berliner K (2008): Evidence based review of the nonsurgical management of hyperhydrosis, thorac surg clin 18(2); 157-166• Strutton DR, Kowalski JW, Glaser DA, Stang PE.(2004 Aug.): US prevalence
of hyperhydrosis and impact on individuals with axillary hyperhydrosis: results from a national survey. J Am Acad Derm. 51(2):241-8,