Profuse sweating (hyperhidrosis) is a condition where patients experience abnormally excessive sweating due to overactive secretion from the eccrine sweat glands.

bubble_chart Etiology

Profuse sweating can be an abnormal physiological response or one of the symptoms of certain diseases such as hyperthyroidism and diabetes. Local profuse sweating may result from sympathetic nerve injury or abnormal reactions, where increased acetylcholine secretion leads to excessive sweat production by the eccrine glands.

bubble_chart Clinical Manifestations

Individuals with systemic profuse sweating often have moist skin surfaces and experience paroxysmal sweating. Localized profuse sweating commonly occurs on the palms, soles of the feet, and armpits, followed by the tip of the nose, forehead, and genital areas. It often begins during adolescence, and patients frequently exhibit peripheral circulatory dysfunction, such as cold and clammy hands and feet, cyanosis or pallor, and a susceptibility to chilblains.

In cases of foot profuse sweating, the sweat does not evaporate efficiently, leading to maceration and whitening of the skin on the soles, often accompanied by foot odor. When profuse sweating occurs in the armpits or genital areas, the thin and delicate skin in these regions, combined with constant moisture and friction, is prone to developing erythema intertrigo, along with complications like folliculitis and boils.

bubble_chart Treatment Measures

1. Avoid mental tension and emotional agitation. For those with psychological and emotional factors, medications such as cellulose, bromides, or diazepam can be taken orally.
2. Anticholinergic drugs like atropine, belladonna, or propantheline taken orally may provide temporary relief. When the dose reaches a level that reduces sweat secretion, patients may experience noticeable side effects such as dry mouth, skin flushing, and palpitations.
3. Topical astringent medications can be applied externally, such as 10% glutaraldehyde solution or 2–4% formaldehyde solution. For profuse sweating in the armpits, a 20% aluminum chloride ethanol solution can be applied externally. Before application, the armpits should be dried thoroughly. Apply the solution at bedtime for seven consecutive nights. For metatarsus profuse sweating, soaking in a 5% alum solution or a compound copper sulfate solution may be helpful. For foot metatarsus profuse sweating, change socks frequently and wear breathable, moisture-absorbing shoes.
4. Electrical iontophoresis therapy, using tap water and direct current, is suitable for treating profuse sweating in the hands and feet.