Quite often, especially in the summer, the question is asked: “I’m sweating a lot, which doctor should I see?” Constantly wet armpits and other parts of the body, sweat stains on clothes, and an unpleasant odor cause a lot of inconvenience not only to the person himself, but also to those around him. This problem is quite common, but many are embarrassed to raise such topics.
In this article we will talk about hyperhidrosis and tell you which specialist will help you cope with excessive sweating. After all, it happens that this is not only an aesthetic problem, but also one of the symptoms of some serious diseases, including tuberculosis, hepatitis, disruption of the endocrine system, cardiovascular problems and even malignant neoplasms. In any case, even if hyperhidrosis is a feature of your body, consulting a doctor is necessary.
Meet hyperhidrosis
The term hyperhidrosis in medicine refers to increased secretion of sweat glands. The disease is divided into two types:
- Diffuse, when sweat appears on the entire surface of the skin.
- Local – individual areas of the body are moisturized.
The local form of the disease is more common, which may indicate the following pathogenic disorders occurring in the body:
- infectious diseases;
- disruptions in the functioning of the endocrine system;
- thyroid dysfunction;
- diseases of the cardiovascular system;
- genetic abnormalities;
- proliferation of formations, both malignant and benign.
Diagnosis of the root cause of the development of hyperhidrosis is very important, since if the underlying disease is not treated in a timely manner, complications may develop, which will lead to irreversible consequences. Therefore, it is simply necessary to know which doctor to contact with the problem of increased sweating.
We should not forget that excessive sweating can be primary, in other words, it can be a physiological feature of an individual. This form of “increased moisture” does not require medical intervention; simple preventive actions will be sufficient.
Causes of anhidrosis
There are congenital and acquired types of this disease. The first is a consequence of disturbances in the development of sweat glands. An example of congenital anhidrosis is anhidrotic ectodermal dysplasia.
This is interesting!
For example, there are several well-known cases of congenital anhidrosis that have received media coverage. In particular, some time ago the media covered news about a boy from Britain named Fred James. A terrible genetic anomaly forever deprived him of the opportunity to enjoy summer days. The heat became deadly for him. Unfortunately, Fred was born without sweat glands.
After spending a short time in the sun, the boy begins to experience terrible attacks, which are accompanied by convulsions. To avoid this, the child should constantly be under a fan, pour water over the body, and carry ice packs with him. Interestingly, this disease is characterized by an uneven arrangement of teeth at a great distance from each other, as well as their strong sharpening.
In addition, teeth are severely missing, and molars may not appear at all. There is very little hair on the body, and it is also very thin and fragile. Fred's parents were told that a symptom of overheating was the child's skin turning red. At the same moment, it is necessary to give the baby something to drink and also sprinkle his body with water. In their house the window is always open, and in winter the heating is turned off (unless it is very cold outside).
Fortunately, the state helps Fred's family in the form of financial assistance. However, there is no cure for this terrible disease yet. At the same time, people suffering from anhidrotic ectodermal dysplasia can live quite happily, but only if they receive maximum care throughout their lives.
The causes of the second type of disorders may be various failures of a toxic, neurological, traumatic nature, and other factors. These also include some dermatological diseases, mainly prickly heat. It is quite dangerous because it can cause acute generalized anhidrosis. Local disorders are characteristic of diseases such as scleroderma, leprosy, ichthyosis, etc. In addition, anhidrosis can provoke disruptions in the functioning of the nervous system, as a result of which the transmission of nerve impulses to the sweat glands stops.
As already mentioned at the beginning of the article, asthenic anhidrosis is usually caused by vitamin deficiencies, diabetes mellitus, liver cirrhosis, Addison's disease, etc. In case of toxicosis (for example, during pregnancy), poisoning, diarrhea, radiation sickness, acute generalized anhidrosis may occur.
It should be remembered that a sharp decrease in sweating or its cessation may be associated with taking certain medications. In such cases, violations are temporary.
Speaking about the causes of anhidrosis, it is worth mentioning such a specific phenomenon as tropical anhidrosis. It occurs in extreme heat with insufficient water consumption or when the pores are clogged with fine dust, the content of which in the air is unusually high in hot countries.
There are also situations when a person does not sweat only in certain situations that usually cause profuse sweating in other people, for example during physical activity, in a bathhouse, sauna, etc.
Which doctor treats hyperhidrosis?
There is no doctor whose main specialty is the treatment of hyperhidrosis. From a scientific point of view, there is a problem with excessive sweating, but it is impossible to find a doctor who will directly treat this problem. Based on this, the question arises - if hyperhidrosis is present, which doctor treats such a disorder of the sweat glands? It is quite difficult to answer, since before starting therapy it is necessary to exclude factors that can provoke excessive sweating, namely:
- hot weather;
- intense emotional stress;
- increased physical activity;
- spicy food.
Having ruled them out, you need to find out what disruption in the body’s functioning led to hyperhidrosis, that is, find the cause. And only then contact a specific specialist who will help eliminate it. Usually you have to undergo a full examination.
“I’m sweating a lot, which doctor should I see?” – choosing the right doctor
Dilemma: hyperhidrosis – which doctor should I go to? Excessive sweating can be caused by many reasons related to hemodynamic disturbances in the human body, so you need to know a doctor who can cure the pathology by sight. Let's try to figure out which specialists can help with excessive sweating.
The first doctor who will help you get rid of the problem of hyperhidrosis is a therapist. He will prescribe tests and help determine which system or organ in the body has “failed.” Afterwards, he will write out a referral to the right specialist who will deal with the treatment.
Endocrinologist
The first on the list of specialists with a narrower profile is an endocrinologist. Since in most diseases associated with high humidity, the “culprits” are disorders of the thyroid gland, diabetes mellitus, and hormonal imbalance. Diagnosis is carried out using thermography, ultrasound, puncture, and MRI.
Cardiologist
The presence of certain cardiovascular diseases can lead to sweating. You should go to this specialist if hyperhidrosis is accompanied by heart pain, shortness of breath, and rhythm disturbances. The diagnosis of cardiac pathologies is confirmed by conducting studies such as a blood test for autoimmune markers, ECG, angiography.
Psychotherapist
Stress is one of the causes of sweating. On a nervous basis, the body’s natural reaction is to moisturize the skin based on the root of the problem; the following doctors can deal with therapy: a psychologist, a psychiatrist or a psychotherapist. The main treatment is taking sedatives.
Neurologist
This specialist is also looking for a connection between abnormal sweating and diseases of the nervous system. Hyperhidrosis can be caused by stroke, Parkinson's disease, or tabes dorsalis.
Physiatrist
This is a doctor who treats tuberculosis in any of its manifestations. With this disease, one of the symptoms is sweating, which appears in stages 1 and 2 of the disease.
Infectious disease specialist
A fairly large range of infectious diseases is expressed in the form of hyperhidrosis. This doctor will help you get rid of excessive sweating if you have the following diseases: acute respiratory viral infections, influenza fever, malaria, brucellosis, hepatitis, etc. Infectious pathologies can be diagnosed using a smear or microflora culture, biochemistry, serology, and laboratory blood tests.
Expert in narcology
This doctor should be visited if sweating syndrome appears after abruptly quitting alcohol or drugs. Since the body stops receiving substances that cause euphoria, such conditions are often accompanied by psycho-emotional instability.
Toxicologist
Sweating may indicate intoxication of the body. The cause may be radiation, food or chemical poisoning. Based on the nature of intoxication, the doctor will prescribe appropriate medications to cleanse the blood and stomach.
Dermatologist
Since sweat is secreted through the skin, it would be a good idea to visit a dermatologist. If the treatment of the underlying disease is not within his competence, then he will help in eliminating the manifestations of moisture on the skin.
Oncologist
Tumor processes at the beginning of their development are usually asymptomatic, but are often accompanied by increased sweating. In addition to hyperhidrosis, there is also enlargement of the lymph nodes; it is better to consult an oncologist.
Rheumatologist
If you have problems with your joints, then sweating can become your constant companion. The “root cause” of the appearance of such a disease may be an infectious disease. Along with unpleasant humidity, a person experiences an increase in body temperature.
Urologist
If, in addition to hyperhidrosis, pain is observed in the lumbar region and the color of the urine changes, then a consultation with a urologist is necessary. Sometimes such a symptom indicates the presence of syphilis in the body, which a venereologist will help to cope with.
If all the specialists listed above “did not recognize” you as their patient, then the problem of increased sweating lies in the characteristics of your body. And you need to choose the right means of protection for you.
The connection between sweating attacks and diseases
Quite often, excessive sweating is observed with the following disorders:
- Hypertension. Due to the fact that blood pressure increases, the patient will complain of headaches, general weakness, dizziness, sudden sweating and visual disturbances.
If a hypertensive crisis is diagnosed, which is characterized by a sudden rise in blood pressure to high numbers, an intensification of all symptoms and the appearance of a feeling of fear for one’s life and nervous agitation will occur.
The appearance of these symptoms should not be ignored; you must seek help from a doctor and take a drug that can lower blood pressure. In order to alleviate your condition, it is recommended in this case to immerse the lower limbs in hot water.
- Pathological processes of neuroendocrine origin, such as Graves' disease and diabetes mellitus. These diseases are accompanied by bouts of sweating and deterioration in general well-being. Graves' disease occurs as a result of activation of the functional capacity of the thyroid gland, which in turn causes the release of excess amounts of hormones such as thyroxine and triiodothyronine. As for diabetes mellitus, it is characterized by disorders in the production of hormones by the pancreas. The cause of increased sweating in representatives of the stronger half of humanity may also be the production of insufficient testosterone.
- Strokes and heart attacks. These pathological conditions are accompanied by disorders of a vegetative nature, such as a feeling of heat, the production of excess sweat, dry mouth, tachycardia and hyperemia of the skin of the face. All these symptoms may also be present in people with a history of stroke or heart attack.
- Vegetative-vascular dystonia. It begins to manifest itself when there is an imbalance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic departments. These pathological changes lead to disruption of the functioning of the body. However, the body's thermoregulatory ability undergoes the greatest changes. As a result, a person begins to experience chills, a symptom of sweating, and alternating heat and cold.
- Oncological diseases. Unreasonable attacks of excessive sweat production may indicate the formation of a neoplasm in the human body. For example, with lymphoma, there is a loss of the functional ability of lymphocytes; they begin to produce pyrogenic substances that can increase body temperature. After its fall, a sudden appearance of excess sweat is observed.
- Excessive sweat production and release may also indicate liver disease. This symptom is especially pronounced after eating a large amount of food.
- The symptom also appears in tuberculosis, pneumonia, kidney disease, and malaria.
In childhood, an increased level of sweating can be observed with diathesis, pneumonia or rickets.
What symptoms should you see a doctor for?
The main symptom that should make you think about going to the hospital should be sweat, which appears inexplicably, spontaneously, causing the whole body or certain parts of it to become wet. Also alarming symptoms include:
- unpleasant smell of sweat;
- the consistency of the secretion is very thick or too liquid;
- seals appear in places of sweating;
- sweat has an unnatural color.
The disease itself, hyperhidrosis, does not pose a serious threat unless it is a symptom of a more “terrible” disease. Sweat causes more discomfort and psychological instability, since most people who are predisposed to spontaneous sweating try to avoid society, which causes depression, nervous breakdowns, and stress.
If we talk about the treatment of hyperhidrosis, a conservative approach in the form of medications is usually used. These can be sedatives for stress, depression, or topical drugs that block sweating. You can also apply cosmetic procedures and preventive measures. It is necessary to monitor your diet, hygiene, and avoid nervous-emotional situations. Choose the right doctor and say goodbye to hyperhidrosis forever.
Share the article on social media. networks:
