What Are the Causes of Excessive Underarm Wetness?

Excessive underarm wetness can be extremely embarrassing. The medical name for this condition is hyperhidrosis and, while some causes are known, in many more cases there is no known cause. The best way to determine if you have hyperhidrosis is to talk with your doctor and allow her to diagnose the condition. Many treatment options exist for hyperhidrosis; your doctor can suggest the best one for you. Hyperhidrosis can either be hereditary or caused by a separate medical condition.

Primary Hyperhidrosis

• Primary hyperhidrosis appears to have hereditary links with no known trigger or cause. The condition affects the armpits, feet and hands. Symptoms include excessive sweating in these areas and overactive sweat glands in general. Primary hyperhidrosis affects a very small portion of the general population and most sufferers do not mention the condition to their physicians unless it worsens.

Secondary Hyperhidrosis

• Secondary hyperhidrosis consists of the same symptoms as primary hyperhidrosis, however it is distinguished from the primary form by the fact that its cause is another medical condition. Causes can include: anxiety disorders, heart disease, side effects of medications, hyperthyroidism, menopause or infections. Many other conditions can also cause secondary hyperhidrosis, and the medical community does not have an exhaustive list.

Treatment Options

• Many hyperhidrosis sufferers find relief from special heavy-duty antiperspirants that contain higher levels of aluminum chloride hexahydrate. Some patients find these antiperspirants to be irritating, or they do not control the conditions. Medications are another option, but the side effects can be difficult for some patients. Botox injections temporarily block the nerve impulses that cause excessive sweating, but the injections must be repeated. As a last resort, there is a surgical procedure called endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy. The procedure is generally only recommended when other treatments have been ineffective. Talk to your doctor to find the best solution for your situation.