Primary hyperhidrosis is the medical condition of excessive sweating while secondary hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating that is caused by a different medical condition or
medication (external forces that cause the excessive sweating).

Two Types of Hyperhidrosis, Two Different Sets of Symptoms

Generally, someone suffering from primary hyperhidrosis will experience very localized sweating, such as heavy armpit sweat, sweaty palms, sweaty feet, or sweating on other specific, sometimes seemingly random, parts of the body. Everybody knows that everybody sweats and that it is the body’s way of cooling down, but sufferers of primary hyperhidrosis sweat even in the absence of heat or physical activity. If you experience constant sweating in the face, thighs, armpits, palms, or feet, you may be suffering from primary hyperhidrosis.

People suffering from secondary hyperhidrosis usually experience a less localized, whole-body type of sweating that may occur only at night – a symptom less common with primary hyperhidrosis. The following conditions may contribute to secondary hyperhidrosis:

hyperthyroidism
infection
low blood sugar
diabetes
gout
drugs and medication
alcoholism
obesity
pregnancy
menopause
heart failure
diabetes
Parkinson’s disease
rheumatoid arthritis
chronic arsenic intoxification
withdrawl from a chemical substance

There are myriad conditions and medications that can cause secondary hyperhidrosis, so it is important to discuss your health history with a doctor if you are suffering from secondary hyperhidrosis.

Different Treatments for Primary and Secondary Hyperhidrosis

Sufferers of primary hyperhidrosis may have lived with it a long time, or excessive sweating may start suddenly, with no clear catalyst. People with primary hyperhidrosis generally find no relief for their heavy sweating from over the counter or popular antiperspirants. They have to find antiperspirants that are made for excessive sweating or primary hyperhidrosis. Furthermore, the type of sweating a person suffering from hyperhidrosis experiences is not just a small nuisance, but an intolerable amount of sweat! However, specialty and prescription antiperspirants can be effective and many people with hyperhidrosis find varying levels of relief with these products.

The symptoms of secondary hyperhidrosis can be treated similarly in the short term, but further investigation with a doctor is needed to determine how to correct the underlying problem.

There IS hope for people suffering from hyperhidrosis, both secondary and primary and one needs to gather as much information from trusted sources as possible to attack the sweating problem.

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