Hypohidrosis
Overview of Hypohidrosis
Hypohidrosis (Absent Sweating/ پسینے کی کمی) is a condition that causes a person to sweat less than usual. Hypohidrosis is also called anhidrosis.
Sweating cools off the body. Lack of sweating leads to overheating which raises the body temperature immensely. This can cause heat-related illnesses such as heat stroke and heat exhaustion.
Mild hypohidrosis goes undiagnosed because it is difficult to notice. It can affect the whole body, a single specific area, or scattered areas.
Signs and Symptoms of Hypohidrosis
Symptoms of hypohidrosis are:
- Dizziness
- Muscle cramps
- Overheating of body
- Flushing
- Little or no perspiration
Hypohidrosis affects a large portion of the body or some specific parts. It hinders the cooling process. This in return causes the body temperature to go up especially in hot weather.
Types of Hypohidrosis
Causes of Hypohidrosis
Improper functioning of sweat glands causes hypohidrosis. Dehydration can also cause hypohidrosis. While sometimes the exact cause cannot be found.
Possible causes of hyperhidrosis include:
- Birth defects such as congenital dysplasias
- Connective tissue diseases, such as Sjogren's syndrome, which causes dry eyes and mouth
- Inherited conditions affecting the metabolic system, such as Fabry's disease
- Skin damage from burns or radiation therapy or infection
- Diseases that clog pores (poral occlusion), such as psoriasis, scleroderma
- Nerve damage (neuropathy) by diseases, such as diabetes, alcoholism, Guillain-Barre syndrome, and Ross syndrome
- Certain drugs, such as morphine and botulinum toxin type A, and those used to treat psychosis
Risk Factors of Hypohidrosis
Besides old age, there are several other risk factors for hypohidrosis. These include:
- Diabetes: Diabetes can be one hidden reason behind sweat gland irregularities.
- Mutated Genes: Changes in the genes can cause abnormalities, disrupting the function of sweat glands.
- Skin Disorders: Skin conditions such as psoriasis and other rashes can seriously impact sweat glands causing hypohidrosis.
Complications of Hypohidrosis
Every person’s body shows different complications depending on the cause of hypohidrosis. However, the most common ones are heat-related illnesses. As the body is unable to cool down in this condition, it's more likely that you'll experience conditions like;
-
Heat Cramps: These are involuntary spasms that occur in your arms, legs, fingers, or back.
-
Heatstroke: One of the serious complications of hypohidrosis is this one. In this condition, your body temperature rises uncontrollably. Heatstroke if not treated on time can be life-threatening.
-
Heat exhaustion: If you feel nauseated, weak, and have a high heart rate, you might be suffering from heat exhaustion.
Besides old age, there are several other risk factors for hypohidrosis. These include:
- Diabetes: Diabetes can be one hidden reason behind sweat gland irregularities.
- Mutated Genes: Changes in the genes can cause abnormalities, disrupting the function of sweat glands.
- Skin Disorders: Skin conditions such as psoriasis and other rashes can seriously impact sweat glands causing hypohidrosis.
Complications of Hypohidrosis
Every person’s body shows different complications depending on the cause of hypohidrosis. However, the most common ones are heat-related illnesses. As the body is unable to cool down in this condition, it's more likely that you'll experience conditions like;
-
Heat Cramps: These are involuntary spasms that occur in your arms, legs, fingers, or back.
-
Heatstroke: One of the serious complications of hypohidrosis is this one. In this condition, your body temperature rises uncontrollably. Heatstroke if not treated on time can be life-threatening.
-
Heat exhaustion: If you feel nauseated, weak, and have a high heart rate, you might be suffering from heat exhaustion.
Prevention
Hypohidrosis can be prevented by following simple tips:
- Taking regular cool showers
- Wearing loose-fitting clothing
- Using a cool-mist humidifier indoors
- Wearing damp clothing in hot weather
- Applying damp flannels to the skin
- Avoiding overexertion, particularly in hot weather
Diagnosis
A thorough medical history of the patient is taken to identify the condition's cause. All symptoms must be shared with the doctor to get the right diagnosis.
The following tests are done to confirm the diagnosis:
- Silastic sweat imprint test: This test measures where you sweat.
- Thermoregulatory sweat test: This test involves coating the person’s body in a powder that changes color when the skin releases sweat.
- Quantitative sudomotor axon reflex test (QSART): This test assesses the function of the nerves that regulate sweating.
- MRI of the brain or spinal cord: This checks the involvement of CNS in hypohidrosis.
Treatment of Hypohidrosis | When to Consult a Doctor
The treatment of this condition depends on its underlying cause. If a medical condition is a cause, treating the condition first may improve hypohidrosis.
Hypohidrosis can be treated by:
- Avoiding drugs that aggravate hypohidrosis.
- Avoiding activities that raise body temperature.
- Cleaning the skin with a gentle exfoliant, to open clogged pores.
- Performing exercises under supervision and in a cool, well-ventilated environment.
Hypohidrosis can have a long-lasting effect on an individual’s life. Therefore, you need to get it treated as soon as possible.
In case of any concerning signs and symptoms, you need to visit a certified dermatologist as soon as possible.
Doctors to treat Hypohidrosis in Pakistan
- Doctors to treat Hypohidrosis in Lahore
- Doctors to treat Hypohidrosis in Kasur
- Doctors to treat Hypohidrosis in Karachi
- Doctors to treat Hypohidrosis in Islamabad
- Doctors to treat Hypohidrosis in Multan
- Doctors to treat Hypohidrosis in Rawalpindi
- Doctors to treat Hypohidrosis in Peshawar
- Doctors to treat Hypohidrosis in Faisalabad
- Doctors to treat Hypohidrosis in Bahawalpur
- Doctors to treat Hypohidrosis in Abbottabad