LAS VEGAS – It is important to think outside the box and consider whether secondary causes of hyperhidrosis are at play when a patient complains of sweating too much, a dermatologist told his colleagues.
“Look at where the patient fits into the sweating paradigm,” advised Seemal R. Desai, MD, of University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, and consider factors such as where and how often patients are oversweating.
In cases of secondary hyperhidrosis – those that are caused by another condition – said Dr. Desai, who spoke in a presentation at Skin Disease Education Foundation’s annual Las Vegas Dermatology Seminar.
According to Dr. Desai, the answers to several questions can help pinpoint a diagnosis of primary hyperhidrosis (also known as focal or primary focal hyperhidrosis) or secondary hyperhidrosis:
- Where does the sweating occur?
Sweating occurs over large parts of the body in patients with secondary hyperhidrosis, Dr. Desai said, although it is typically limited to certain areas, such as the armpits, palms, or soles in the primary form.
- When did the sweating begin?
When sweating begins in adulthood, he said, there’s a good chance that it has a secondary cause. Sweating that began in childhood is more likely to be the primary form.
- How does sweating occur at night?
Dr. Desai advised: “Ask about sleep patterns. Do you sweat during your sleep or wake up feeling like you’re sweating?” Sweating throughout a sleep cycle – not “night sweats” that are brief in nature – indicate a probable secondary cause, he said.
According to Dr. Desai, the causes of secondary hyperhidrosis are numerous, including hypoglycemia, neural tumors, and cardiovascular conditions. “Typically, if I’m trying to figure out why a patient is having generalized sweating, the No. 1 cause is medications.”
Dr. Desai reported no relevant disclosures. SDEF and this news organization are owned by the same parent company.