By definition, hyperhidrosis is a condition characterized by excessive sweating. If you have hyperhidrosis or are noticing onset symptoms, get more information on what a laser clinic or cosmetic clinic can offer you in terms of preventative treatments.

Joyce Fox MD, a clinic dermatology professor, explained to SELF that hyperhidrosis occurs when your sweat glands are hyperactive. Essentially, your nervous system signals your sweat glands to go into overdrive, often for no apparent reason. 

The condition usually develops for no particular reason, although existent health issues can contribute to symptoms. That being said, it's reassuring to know that there are ways to treat the condition — including Botox.



According to Medical News Today, 7.8 million Americans deal with hyperhidrosis (also called polyhidrosis or sudorrhea). The condition’s symptoms are commonly experienced on the face and under the armpits, feet and hands.

There are two main types of hyperhidrosis:

Primary Idiopathic Hyperhidrosis: When your hyperhidrosis is localized, and the cause is unidentifiable. “Idiopathic” actually means "of unknown cause.”

Secondary Hyperhidrosis: Excessive sweating due to a health condition; for example, an overactive thyroid gland, obesity, gout etc.

These two strains are either focal or generalized. To further explain, focal hyperhidrosis is when the condition is localized, meaning it occurs in one specific area. Generalized hyperhidrosis is when the excessive sweating occurs throughout your entire body.

Hyperhidrosis symptoms can appear as early as birth, but most commonly a person will identify the condition in their teenage years. These are the main signs that you may be dealing with hyperhidrosis:

You Sweat in Specific Spots

Although hyperhidrosis can sometimes appear as excessive sweating throughout your entire body, oftentimes hyperhidrosis is localized. If you are noticing that your palms, feet or armpits are specifically getting sweaty when other parts of your body are staying dry, that’s a strong indicator that you have hyperhidrosis.

Common places for localized sweating when you have hyperhidrosis include:

Forehead
Underarms
Palms of Your Hands
Soles of Your Feet
Groin

Sweating Through Your Clothing

Are you noticing prominent sweat stains on your clothing? This usually happens when you have focal hyperhidrosis, but the good news is that it’s actually easily treatable. According to Web MD, Botox is more than 90% effective as a hyperhidrosis medication.

When You Are Sweating

Most people sweat in response to heat, so it can be challenging to identify if you just sweat a bit more than others or if you are dealing with hyperhidrosis that should be treated. The first thing to consider is when you sweat.

If you are finding that you sweat at room temperature or even cool temperature levels, that’s a strong indication that you have hyperhidrosis. 

Anxiety Linked to Sweating

According to Carpelotion, there is a close link between hyperhidrosis and anxiety. 
Anxiety tends to heighten hyperhidrosis symptoms.

Just because you are dealing with one doesn’t mean you are dealing with the other, but focal hyperhidrosis can be triggered specifically by anxiety, especially in specific circumstances like public speaking.

Damp Socks

Hyperhidrosis is often associated with sweat under the armpit, but symptoms are common under your feet as well — after all, your feet do have sweat glands.

According to Men’s Health, if your socks are wet and your feet are slipping out of your shoes, that’s not just a sign of sweaty feet — it's a sign of something a bit more. 

If you are spotting any of these warning signs and find that your sweating is taking a toll on your life, it’s best that you visit a professional to discuss your options.