Hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating in response to heat or emotional stimuli, and is classified as primary or secondary depending upon aetiology. Primary focal hyperhidrosis is a chronic idiopathic condition that, when severe, can be debilitating to the person’s professional, psychological and physical well being.
Hyperhidrosis most commonly affects palms, soles and axillae and occurs in about 2 – 3% of the population. The onset is most common in the 2nd and 3rd decades of life. There is some evidence for a genetic link but the cause is unknown. In terms of its pathogenesis, hyperhidrosis is thought to be due to a central abnormality of the hypothalamic sweat centre.
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A joint initiative of the Patient Services Section and the Drug and Therapeutics Information Service of the Pharmacy Department, Repatriation General Hospital, Daw Park, South Australia. The RGH Pharmacy E-Bulletin is distributed in electronic format on a weekly basis, and aims to present concise, factual information on issues of current interest in therapeutics, drug safety and cost-effective use of medications.
Editor: Assoc. Prof. Chris Alderman, University of South Australia – Director of Pharmacy, RGH © Pharmacy Department, Repatriation General Hospital, Daw Park, South Australia 5041.
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