Hyperhidrosis, an extremely prevalent disease affecting about 15 million Americans and 365 million people worldwide, is equally matched by impact and burden on quality of life. Identifying these patients and making them know that this is a true medical problem can be absolutely life-altering.
Next Steps in Derm, in partnership with ODAC Dermatology, Aesthetic and Surgical Conference interviewed Dr. Adam Friedman, Professor, Interim Chair of Dermatology, and Residency Program Director at George Washington University, who shared extremely valuable pearls on how to identify and distinguish between primary and secondary hyperhidrosis, questions to ask your patients, and how to manage the condition and reshape your patients’ lives.
Further Reading
If you would like to read more about Hyperhidrosis, check out the following articles recently published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology:im
Diagnosis and Management of Primary Hyperhidrosis: Practical Guidance and Current Therapy Update
Hyperhidrosis is a chronic medical condition characterized by excessive sweating beyond that which is necessary for thermoregulatory homeostasis. It is estimated to occur in 4.8% of the U.S. population (~15.3 million people) but is both underreported and underdiagnosed. With the busy practitioner and dermatology resident in mind, we provide here a disease state primer for hyperhidrosis, a top-line review of the breadth of literature underscoring the overall burden of the disease, a practical guide to differential diagnosis, and an update on current treatment approaches, including for the most common form of the condition, primary axillary hyperhidrosis. In addition, a case study is presented to provide a real-life perspective from the clinic on the importance of early and effective management strategies for those suffering with hyperhidrosis. Read the full article here.
Primary hyperhidrosis (PH) is an idiopathic, chronic disorder characterized by uncontrolled sweat production exceeding that required for homeostasis maintenance. Typically in a bilateral and symmetrical pattern, PH can affect different areas of the body, most commonly axillae, palms, soles, and face, with affected patients often sweating from one or two areas of the body. The prevalence of PH is widely variable in the literature. In the U.S., a survey with 150,000 households estimated national prevalence of 2.8%, while a more recent study reported the prevalence of hyperhidrosis at 4.8%. Of the affected population, more than half of the patients have axillary hyperhidrosis (AH).
AH affects both genders, and symptoms usually manifest during puberty or adolescence. It is an emotionally, physically and socially distressing condition that interferes with everyday activities and exerts a negative impact on patients’ quality of life. Given the burden of excessive sweating, reduction of sweat production is an important goal of management and treatment of AH. Botulinum toxin A (BoNT-A) has proven to be an effective and safe treatment for primary AH, promoting high levels of satisfaction among patients. Read the full article here.
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