Do you find your child often, sweating a lot, even when at rest? If your child sweats after playing any sport or while running around or even in distressing situations like exams, then it is normal.
However, if he/she sweats even while doing leisurely activities like reading a book or watching TV, then this condition is not normal.
In such a situation it’s best to take your child to a doctor or in special cases a psychologist, as your child may be suffering from a condition called Hyperhidrosis.
Let me give you more insight on this condition so that it becomes easy for you to diagnose this condition in your child and take early measures to avoid further complications.
Table of Contents
What Does Hyperhidrosis Mean?
Hyperhidrosis is a condition in which the individual sweats excessively, even while at rest and in natural and cool temperatures. The sweating may occur in any part of the body, palms, underarms, and feet being the most common areas.
This condition is not specific to one sex and may occur in boys or girls and nor is it specific to any culture or any community. It is not related to age and may occur in both young and elderly.
The onset of hyperhidrosis is usually in childhood or adolescence.Whether the conditions are hot or cold, humid or dry, sweating continues to occur.
Also, there is a constant need to change clothes, shoes, and socks. This condition may lead to psychological problems. The child may face lowered self – esteem even sadness and irritation.
You know a basic knowledge of what hyperhidrosis means. We shall have a look at the symptoms to diagnose the condition in your child.
Causes Of Hyperhidrosis In Children
Sweating is a natural and even a necessary phenomenon. When the body’s temperature increases due to any reason the sweat glands get into action and help to cool down the body. But in hyperhidrosis, the body sweats even when there is no need for cooling down of the body.
Given below are some very common to very rare causes of hyperhidrosis in children.
1. Fever
Fever is the most common reason for hyperhidrosis. The temperature of the body elevates in response to the bacterial or viral attack. In order to maintain the temperature of the body, the body sweats. This is an attempt of the body to cool down.
2. Emotional And Mental Issues
These are also the cause of hyperhidrosis. Anxiety disorder and nervousness leads to excessive sweating. This condition is treatable by consulting a psychologist or a specialist.
3. Exercise
Another very common reason for excessive sweating is exercise. Physical activity increases the blood pressure and heart beat. The temperature of the body rises and signals are sent to the eccrine gland to produce more sweat to bring down the temperature of the body.
4. Increased Surrounding Temperature
Increased surrounding temperature is a reason for excessive sweating. The cause remains the same, i.e., maintaining normal body temperature.
5. Spicy Food
Sweating also increases after eating spicy food. Spicy foods have chemicals which send a signal to the brain and spinal cord to bring down the body temperature. The response to this signal is the release of sweat.
6. Obesity
Obesity may be another reason for hyperhidrosis. There are many other health risks which occur due to obesity like conditions of the heart, diabetes mellitus and problems with blood pressure. These conditions cause the body to sweat more.
7. Genes
Genes are found to be the most common reason for primary hyperhidrosis in children. In simple terms, this disorder is transmitted from parents to their children.
8. Eccrine Glands
They are the sweat glands that are present in armpits, palms, feet. The sympathetic nervous system sends a signal to these glands to get into the action of producing sweat when the temperature of the body rises. And this mechanism brings down the body temperature.
But in hyperhidrosis, the eccrine glands are stimulated even when the body doesn’t need cooling. This happens due to the faulty action of the sympathetic nervous system.
9. Hormonal Imbalance
Hyperhidrosis in teenagers may be caused due to hormonal imbalance. In this case, it is a temporary condition which becomes normal on reaching adulthood.
10. Pulmonary tuberculosis
It may cause secondary hyperhidrosis. At night the sweating increases.
11. Lung infection
Children are very likely to have lung infections which cause a cough, runny nose, congestion and along with this, excessive sweating or hyperhidrosis.
12. Atopy
It is a condition in which the individual is very sensitive to any kind of changes in the environment. He/she is very prone to allergies. And this too is a cause of hyperhidrosis.
14. When there is a situations of shock, the symptoms that appear are: fall in the blood pressure, hands and feet becoming cold, paleness of skin and hyperhidrosis.
15. In hypoglycaemia the blood sugar levels become low. This causes an increase in sweating.
16. In hyperthyroidism, the thyroid gland becomes produces excessive amounts of thyroid hormone. Due to this, the body’s metabolism speeds up; there is nervousness, increased heartbeat, shaky hands, problems with sleep and increased sweating.
17. Pheochromocytoma
It is another uncommon disorder in which there is a development of tumour in the adrenal medulla. This disorder also one of the symptoms hyperhidrosis.
18. The most common type of cancer found in children is leukaemia. Cancer and its treatment have side effects and one of them is hyperhidrosis.
19. The cancer of immune system is called lymphoma. Hyperhidrosis is a symptom of this disorder.
20. Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
It is a fairly common disorder seen in children below 17 years. It is an autoimmune disease and a cause of hyperhidrosis.
21. Spinal cord injury
It is very rare in children it cannot be overlooked. The injury may be an effect of some accident.This forms another reason of hyperhidrosis.
22. Acromegaly
It causes overproduction of growth hormones which leads to gigantism or acromegaly. This is also a cause of hyperhidrosis.
23. In carcinoid syndrome, there is a formation of tumor in the digestive tract. Along with hyperhidrosis, the other symptoms seen are diarrhea, stomach pain, breathing difficulties.
24. Heart diseases
If your child suffers from any heart-related disorder, he/she is also prone to hyperhidrosis.
25. Diabetes
The type 1 diabetes seen in children also may be the reason for hyperhidrosis. This condition is now seen to be increasing day by day.
26. A few signs of respiratory failure involve grunting, wheezing, increased breathing rate and along with it, sweating. There is more sweating on the forehead.
27. Syncope, commonly called “fainting” involves loss of consciousness due to less flow of blood towards the brain. The individual feels light-headed, weak and sweats a lot.
28. Hyperhidrosis may also be caused due to cluster headaches. These are intense and severe headaches, even worse than migraine attacks. This condition is rare and seen mostly in males. A headache may occur as often as eight times a day.
29. A very rare cause of hyperhidrosis is the Riley day syndrome. This syndrome is an effect of genetic disturbance. It is inherited through families. This condition is mostly seen in Jews.
Apart from hyperhidrosis, some other symptoms to look out for are, diarrhea/constipation, pneumonia, an absence of tears while crying, lack of coordination, vomiting, lack of taste.
30. An emetic is an agent, substance or medicine that brings about vomiting. This may also cause excessive sweating.
31. Vorner Disease
This condition is hereditary. Many family members may be suffering from this condition. It develops in early childhood. Palms and soles become thick and appear yellow and waxy.
Since, one of the symptoms is hyperhidrosis, there is a heightened risk of developing bacterial and fungal infections.
It is best to consult the physician for the exact cause of hyperhidrosis in your child.
Tests For Hyperhidrosis In Children
These are a few tests which the doctor may recommend:
a. Blood tests and urine tests, to check if there is impaired glucose level.
b. Sometimes, the physician may ask a few questions to check the symptoms, and also to know the health history of the child and the family.
c. The iodine –starch method is another way of testing. Iodine is applied to certain parts of the body, and after some time when it dries up, starch is sprinkled over it. A dark blue coloured patch is formed wherever there is excessive sweat.
d. At times, there are technical instruments which could be used to measure and examine the sweat.
e. Another way of testing is by dabbing the body with a tissue paper or any other absorbent paper. Then the paper is weighed to check how much sweat has occurred in which part of the body.
There are a few measures that you can take at home to reduce the effects of this condition.
Home Remedies For Hyperhidrosis In Children
1. Chamomile Tea
This easily and widely available herb has many health benefits., One of them is helping to relax the mind and relieve anxiety, which may cause sweating. Regular consumption of this tea may give good results.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar
This is an excellent remedy to follow if your child sweats a lot from the armpits. Mix a little apple cider vinegar with water and apply it with the help of cotton balls on the underarms before going to bed.
Next morning, wash off with water and continue this method for some time until it shows the result.
3. Avoid Stressful Conditions
As we have already learned above that stress aggravates the condition, it is best to keep your child away from stressful or frightening situations. Avoid shouting at the child or any other behavior which may make him/her nervous.
4. Sage Tea/ Green Tea
A very effective herb in controlling the sweat production is the sage herb. It is rich in magnesium and vitamin b which reduces the overactivity of the sweat glands. Green Tea can also be used.
5. Potato
A little weird but effective method is using a potato. Cut the potato into slices and place them in areas where the child sweats a lot. Keep it there for a while and wipe the area with a damp cloth. Repeat the method as often as possible.
6. Tea Tree Oil
Hyperhidrosis often results in fungal infections and to combat this, tea tree oil is a good solution. Take two or three drops on the cotton swab and gently wipe over the affected areas. Let it dry out and reapply as often as possible.
7. Relaxation Techniques
Certain relaxation techniques like meditation, or some therapy like aromatherapy, may be helpful in reducing anxious behavior and stress and restlessness.
8. Lemon Juice
Lemon is an anti-bacterial agent and is helpful in curbing sweat. Take 1 tbsp. of lemon juice and 1 tbsp. of baking soda and mix properly. Taking a cotton swab gently apply on affected areas and keep it for 15 to 20 minutes. Then gently wash off with water.
9. Dietary Modifications
Foods like onions, garlic aggravate the heat in the body and increase sweating. So it is best to avoid these foods. Also, any spicy
food should be avoided. Increase the consumption of fruits like watermelon, pear, orange, as they may help to curb the body odor.
10. Camphor And Coconut Oil
Mix small amounts of camphor in coconut oil and apply to affected areas. This will help to curb the problem naturally.
These home remedies would help to solve the problem, but only temporarily. In few cases, however, the condition may vanish with the help of natural home remedies.There are other treatment options which you may go for, for permanent solutions.
Treatment Options For Hyperhidrosis In Children
i. Oral Medications
The doctor may prescribe a few oral medicines, the most common one being anticholinergic. This is only a short-term method of treatment, as long-term ingestion of such medication may have undesirable side effects like stomach cramps, constipation, drying of mouth etc.
ii. Antiperspirants
Another short term way of treating the condition is by using antiperspirants. You may consult your doctor to recommend a safe brand which is skin friendly. Again, this is only a temporary solution.
iii. Iontophoresis
This is a method of treatment in which the patient needs to keep his/her palms in a container full of water.
This method prevents sweat glands from producing excessive sweat.
This treatment needs to be taken for a couple of weeks to show the result and under a strict and vigilant supervision. This method is more effective to treat the excessive sweating in palms and feet.
iv. Botulinum Toxin Injection
These injections are given to body parts that sweat excessively. There are 15-20 injections given and the time has taken is 40-50 minutes. Due to this treatment, the brain cannot send signals to the sweat glands to function.
This treatment is effective for several months.However this treatment is very expensive and has side effects like redness in the area where the injections are given, there may be nausea, headache etc.
v. Surgery
This is an option which is considered only after all the other treatments are tried and they fail. In surgeries, the sweat glands at the most affected areas may be removed permanently. These surgeries should be performed by experts and under proper care.
This is an option which is considered only after all the other treatments are tried and they fail. In surgeries, the sweat glands at the most affected areas may be removed permanently. These surgeries should be performed by experts and under proper care.
vi. Laser
Laser surgeries are another way curing this disorder.
vii. CCounseling
In the case of anxiety disorder, it is best to consult a psychologist or a counselor, as because of anxiety the conditions may worsen. The may also be treated of depression or loneliness if he/she suffers from it. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy may be helpful.
Medications should be avoided as they may increase the sweating instances.
viii. Change Of Lifestyle
A change of lifestyle is extremely helpful to relieve some of the symptoms. A balanced diet and a healthy routine will help to stay optimistic, active and keep up the self-esteem.
Today, there are many treatment options available and so are many experienced surgeons, who can very effectively treat this condition. Early diagnosis and treatment will help to avoid the distressing effects of the disorder in its later stage.
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