How to Diagnose Hyperhidrosis

Many of us suffer from hyperhidrosis without knowing it, although we suffer silently with the symptoms. Hyperhidrosis is an embarrassing condition of excessive sweating that can be treated successfully. From treatment at home to Botox to surgery, hyperhidrosis is no sweat.

Instructions

• 1

  Talk to your doctor if you are experiencing excessive sweating, also known as hyperhidrosis. Most of us sweat during physical activity, stress or getting overheated by hot weather. With hyperhidrosis, the sweat is excessive and not always linked to those activities. Hyperhidrosis can be inherited and just embarrassing or it can be a symptom of more serious conditions. The more serious conditions that can cause hyperhidrosis include heart attack, low blood sugar, hyperthyroidism, tuberculosis, malaria, leukemia, lymphoma, fever, hormonal changes and drugs.

• 2

  Report your signs and symptoms to the doctor during your visit. Make sure you tell the doctor when you sweat excessively, the time of day or night and the conditions you were experiencing at the time. Tell the doctor if you sweat at night and it disrupts your sleep. In most cases, it will simply be a matter of excessive sweat or overactive sweat glands. If there are underlying problems, the doctor needs to know to treat you properly. While you are talking to your doctor, he will note the excessive sweating, which is part of the history and physical exam. If the doctor feels the hyperhidrosis is from something other than overactive sweat glands, he will order further testing for the underlying condition.

• 3

  Undergo the paper test. In the paper test, a special type of paper is placed at the location of the excessive sweat. As you sweat, the paper absorbs it and it is then weighed to determine the amount of sweat you produce. Another way to diagnose hyperhidrosis is using the iodine-starch test. Iodine is applied to area that's producing excessive sweat. When the iodine dries, starch is applied over the iodine. If the area turns blue, it shows excessive sweating or hyperhidrosis.