Hyperhidrosis

Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition described as sweating beyond what is necessary to cool the body.
The most common areas affected are the hands, feet, groin, face and underarms (50% of reported cases), and not all cases are caused specifically by temperature or stress factors.
Hyperhidrosis is believed to be a genetic problem that stops the body from properly regulating its sweat output and causes some sufferers to produce up to four times the average volume of sweat.

Hyperhidrosis Types

Focal Hyperhidrosis or Primary Hyperhidrosis - affects local areas such as the underarms, palms, feet and face and is caused by a malfunction within the sympathetic nervous system that causes an over-stimulation of the nerve to release a chemical called acetylcholine which over-activates the eccrine gland (sweat gland) to produce more sweat.
Generalized Hyperhidrosis or Secondary Hyperhidrosis - usually affects the entire body and caused by other conditions such as obesity, menopause, metabolic disorders

Results of the International Hyperhidrosis Society (IHHS) 2008 Sweat Survey were significant.
33% of U.S. adults think they produce too much underarm sweat
Only 5%have ever contacted a health care professional

The International Hyperhidrosis Society (IHHS) Sweat Survey, polled 2,897 American adults in March 2008 to determine how sweat affects the general population. Results include:
More than half of U.S. adults (60%) would be embarrassed or "very embarrassed" by visible underarm sweat stains.
More adults would be more embarrassed by visible underarm stains than by having bad acne (58%) or being overweight (47%).
Although more men (39% of men compared to 28% of women) feel they have too much underarm sweat, more women would be embarrassed by underarm sweat than men (68% vs. 51%).
Females between the ages of 18 and 34 are particularly affected by underarm sweat, as more than three in four young women (77%) say they would be embarrassed by underarm sweat, and about half (49%) feel they have too much underarm sweat.

Social Implications - 80% of people with underarm Hyperhidrosis feel at least moderately limited when meeting new people; 55% of patients living with underarm hyperhidrosis felt unhappy; 38% of patients reported feeling depressed.
Financial Implications - h igh cost of dry cleaning & more frequent garment replacement

Focal Injections (BOTOX) - works by interrupting the signal from the nerve to the sweat glands. Treatments last 6 months and could cost men $2000+/year if you do not have coverage, and the long term treatment effects are not yet known.
Topical Antiperspirant Treatments - applying aluminum chloride hexahydrate which to date has had mixed reviews and success, and products still leave underarm residue on clothing
Underarm Liners - convenient, inexpensive and effective way to prevent underarm stains, wetness and odour