Common Symptoms and Complications of Hyperhidrosis
Hyperhidrosis is a condition characterized by excessive sweating in the body. Hyperhidrosis can be a result of different physical, mental, and environmental conditions. This condition, though not dangerous, can lead to discomfort in different ways. Here is a list of common complications of hyperhidrosis.
1. Body odor
One of the most common complications of hyperhidrosis is body odor. Body odor is a result of bacteria working on sweat in the skin. Billions of bacteria are present on the skin, and when you sweat more, the bacteria start working on the sweat. The bad odor is a by-product of bacterial action.
2. Maceration
Maceration is a condition that occurs when the skin is in constant exposure to moisture. The signs are soft, soggy, and wrinkled skin. You can notice this happening once you come out after showering. In this case, the skin gets back to normal after a couple of minutes. For people with hyperhidrosis, the skin is constantly wet from sweat, leading to the skin turning soggy and soft permanently.
3. Fungal infections
Another common complication of hyperhidrosis is an increased risk of fungal infections. A moist surface is a breeding house of different types of fungi, and hence the below-given skin fungal infections are common.
- Ringworm
- Jock itch
- Athletes foot
- Cutaneous candidiasis
- Tinea unguium
4. Bacterial skin infections
Just like fungi thrive in a moist environment, bacteria also live in a wet place. The below given bacterial infections are common in people who sweat a lot.
- School sores
- Abscesses
- Skin boils
- Folliculitis
5. Risk of medical complications
While hyperhidrosis can result from climate change or be hereditary in some, for others, it may be a result of certain medical conditions. For instance, people with heart conditions or high blood pressure sweat a lot. For diabetics, low blood sugar also leads to sweating. For those who experience excessive sweating, a trip to the doctor may be necessary to rule out medical complications.
6.The risk of anxiety, depression, and social aloofness
Another of the common complications of hyperhidrosis is deteriorating mental health. The fact that a person sweats a lot can bring down his/her confidence levels. People start worrying excessively if they have to step outside the house. Anxiety becomes a common problem. Many people with hyperhidrosis don’t have an active social life and are lonely. Depression is also a common side effect of hyperhidrosis. The signs of hyperhidrosis-induced depression are:
- Social withdrawal
- A lack of interest in anything
- Excessive sleeping or insomnia
Hyperhidrosis brings with it a variety of issues. All these common complications of hyperhidrosis can be handled with medications and certain lifestyle changes. Talk to your doctor to rule out hyperhidrosis because of medical conditions.