Hyperhidrosis

Focal hyperhidrosis of axillae, palms or soles is a frequent, socially debilitating condition, triggered by various emotional stimuli. There are several treatment options such as local application of metal salts or tap water iontophoresis, which provide temporary relief for patients.

Primary focal hyperhidrosis afflicts a significant number of patients in the United States and greatly impacts their quality of life. Treatment decisions should take into consideration disease location, severity and patient preference.

This update summarizes current concepts, relevance, and therapeutics in psychodermatology, including aspects pertinent to depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive, impulse-control, and delusional disorders as described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)

Hyperhidrosis is characterized by sweating in excess of the physiological needs to maintain thermal homeostasis. No formal definition exists but for practical purposes any degree of sweating that interferes with activities of daily living, can be viewed as hyperhidrosis. This disease is much more common than once thought and greatly impacts upon quality of life (QOL).

Glycopyrronium tosylate (Qbrexza), a topical anticholinergic therapy, has been shown to be effective in the treatment of primary axillary hyperhidrosis.