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Too Many Americans Sweat It |
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THURSDAY, Aug. 5 (HealthDayNews) -- Excessive sweating affects nearly three times as many people as previously believed, claims a study in the August issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
The national survey of 150,000 U.S. homes found that as many as 7.8 million Americans may have hyperhidrosis, the scientific name for the problem, and 1.3 million of those people have severe underarm sweating that always or frequently interferes with their daily activities.
Hyperhidrosis can affect the underarms, palms of the hand, soles of the feet, face, and other areas of the body. Only 38 percent of people with hyperhidrosis consult their doctor about the condition, even though there are a number of available treatments, the survey found.
Treatments include Botox injections, topical therapy, a form of electrolysis called iontophoresis, and surgery.
"Hyperhidrosis can result in substantial occupational, physical, and emotional impairment, as well as difficulties in personal relationships and potential social stigmatization," survey investigator Dr. Dee Anna Glaser, of St. Louis University, said in a prepared statement.
"Now that there are several viable treatment options available, it is imperative that people who feel they sweat too much know that they should talk to a doctor about their condition to receive proper diagnosis and treatment, especially those people whose sweating is so excessive that it limits or interferes with their daily activities," she said.
More information
The Society of Thoracic Surgeons has more about hyperhidrosis.
(SOURCE: International Hyperhidrosis Society, news release, Aug. 2, 2004)
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