aetiology

Last reviewed 09/2022

Gneralised hyperhidrosis is associate with a number of conditions:

• infective: acute viral/bacterial infections; chronic infections (tuberculosis, malaria, brucellosis)
• drugs: alcohol, cocaine, heroin (including withdrawal), ciprofloxacin, aciclovir, esomeprazole, sertraline, and other antidepressants
• endocrine: diabetes, hyperthyroidism, menopause, pregnancy, carcinoid syndrome, hyperpituitarism, pheochromocytoma, acromegaly
• neurological disorders: stroke, spinal cord injuries, gustatory sweating after parotidectomy, Parkinson’s disease
• other: lymphoma and other myeloproliferative disorders, congestive heart failure, anxiety, obesity

Focal hyperhidrosis can be due to:

• idiopathic
• the cause of primary focal hyperhidrosis is unknown but, as up to two thirds of people with the disorder have a family history, a genetic predisposition is assumed
• gustatory sweating (sweating after eating or seeing food that produces strong salivation. Chewing can also stimulate sweating)
• neurological causes
  • spinal injuries
• neuropathies

Reference:

• (1) Perera E, Sinclair R.Hyperhidrosis and bromhidrosis - a guide to assessment and management. Aust Fam Physician. 2013;42(5):266-9