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Humans need to sweat – it’s an important part of maintaining clean skin, regulating our body temperature, and fighting illness.

However, excessive sweating can have detrimental effects on our minds and bodies in the long term if left untreated. In this article, we’ll explore the effects of hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) on the human body.

Why Do We Sweat?

Our skin is covered in pores that gather dirt and bacteria throughout the day. Sweating is a great way to empty and clean pores, maintaining healthy skin. Sweat is made up of 95% water and doesn’t actually have a smell of its own – body odour comes from our skin and a separate gland in our armpits.

We use sweat to regulate our body temperatures in warm weather, when we’re sick, and during vigorous exercise. Humans need to allow themselves to sweat to avoid overheating, heat exhaustion and dizziness.

However, when the sympathetic nervous system becomes overactive, it starts to produce sweat out of all proportion to – or totally independent of – body temperature. The cause of this overactivity is unknown, but it can be cured.

Primary and Secondary Hyperhidrosis

Hyperhidrosis is a frustrating condition and excessive sweating can negatively impact a person’s social life, job opportunities, and self-esteem. When the sweating can’t be associated with an existing illness, it is called primary hyperhidrosis and is usually prominent in the armpits, hands, head, and face. Primary hyperhidrosis can be hereditary and affects a person from their teenage years into adulthood.

Secondary hyperhidrosis is a symptom of many other medical conditions, such as hyperthyroidism, leukemia and obesity. In these cases, excessive sweating accompanied by other symptoms can mean something is wrong and should be met with emergency medical assistance. If this is left untreated, it can be potentially life threatening.

The Long-Term Effects of Excess Sweat

The main effects of excessive sweating are psychological: distress, embarrassment, and social anxiety. Leaving hyperhidrosis untreated can have a serious, detrimental impact on the sufferer’s life and self-esteem. Because it is often worsened by stress, hyperhidrosis has a tendency to peak at the worst possible times, such as during job interviews or first dates.

Luckily, primary hyperhidrosis doesn’t affect a person’s lifespan or health in any other way. This condition is manageable and can be cured with state-of-the-art treatments such as miraDry for underarms and endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS) surgery for the head and hands.

Call Perth Sweat Clinic to Book Your Assessment

If you believe you’re suffering from primary hyperhidrosis, don’t hesitate to book an assessment. If you have any doubts about your condition, speak with your GP and they may refer you to Perth Sweat Clinic, the hyperhidrosis specialists. To find out more about your options, call 1300 079 328 or contact us online.