Hyperhidrosis and Stress

Hyperhidrosis is a psychological skin condition characterized by uncontrollable, excessive amounts of sweat in specific body locations. Although not a physically debilitating condition, those individuals affected with this condition commonly experience psychosocial stress during regular social encounters and exhibit low self-confidence, thus drastically decreasing the quality of life of these individuals (Coutinho dos Santos et al. Pediatr Dermatol 26(4):439–444, 2009; Glogau, Dermatol Surg 24(8):817–819, 1998; Kouris et al. Pediatr Dermatol 32(2):226–230, 2015). Hyperhidrosis is often diagnosed in patients suffering from psychosocial disorders such as social anxiety, suggesting a psychological factor may influence it’s onset. Various management options exist for the treatment of hyperhidrosis including fractionated microneedle radio (FMR) treatment, botulinum toxin type A (BTXA), surgery, oral administration of the anticholinergic drug glycopyrronium bromide (glycopyrrolate), aluminum chloride antiperspirants, iontophoresis, and endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (Glogau, Dermatol Surg 24(8):817–819, 1998; Kouris et al. Pediatr Dermatol 32(2):226–230, 2015; Bajaj and Langtry, Br J Dermatol 157(1):118–121, 2007; Fatemi Naeini et al. Australas J Dermatol 56(4):279–284, 2015; Kobayashi et al. J Dermatol 21(8):575–581, 1994; Rompel and Scholz, J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 15(3):207–211, 2001). Currently, endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy is the only current, permanent treatment option. However, new therapeutic options on the horizon such as lasers and microwave thermolysis demonstrate promising results.