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Hyperhidrosis ( Excessive sweating )

Betsi Cardenas Mendoza

Introduction to Special Education 203

Disability Research Paper

Weds. December 01, 2021

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Does Excessive Sweating Affect Students' Personal, Social and Academic Life?

Consider being in a room full of people, all of whose gazes are drawn to the large sweat

stain on your t-shirt. Or making fun of you because the pencil you are holding slides out of

your fingers as soon as you grasp it due to excessive sweat on your palms. How would you

feel? Would you be able to concentrate on your assignments?. Even when this situation seems

to have been taken from a movie, it is a real condition. According to research done by the

National Center for Biotechnology Information ( NCBI ); Body excessive sweating or

scientifically known as Hyperhidrosis, Affects 4.8 % of people in the United States,

approximately 15.3 million people of which some are children and adolescents at age school (

Doolittle, 2016 ). Given the barriers, this biological condition represents for students. In this

paper, I intend to inform readers about what hyperhidrosis is. The historical background of

this medical condition. To inform about the latest treatment and the scientific data collected

through all the years. How this disability impacts people related to students; By last, I will

extend my personal opinion related to this topic.

What is Hyperhidrosis and its Medical Background

The action of sweating is a normal thermoregulatory function of the human body. When

the constant temperature of our body increases given to physical activity or emotional

changes, our body activates the sweating glands located in different areas of our body to help

colder our body. However, when an individual is in a state of calm or inactivity and the

sweating glands in their body are still active dermatologists, determine this disorder as

Hyperhidrosis
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There are two categories in which hyperhidrosis is classified; Primary and Secondary.

When the sweating is on a specific area of the body like the feet, armpit, hands, or forehead

the hyperhidrosis is primary. According to a chapter titled Primary Hyperhidrosis, from the

e-book Hyperhidrosis A Complete Guide to Diagnosis and Management. There is no positive

correlation between primary hyperhidrosis and the thermoregulatory function of the body.

Also, this disorder is not related to other medical affections ( Kauffman 27, 32 ). This primary

category affects women and men alike. It is typical for it to begin affecting people throughout

puberty and continue throughout their lives. In addition, localized hyperhidrosis is not present

during sleep.

The causes of this alteration in individuals sweating glands can vary. Some theories say

hereditary factors can be responsible for this alteration in the thermoregulatory system in our

body. Also, the stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system responsible for involuntary

responses of our body due to dangerous or stressful situations has been linked to the abnormal

production of sweat ( Kauffman 27, 32 ). Furthermore, the authors of the e-book titled

Encyclopedia of the Neurological Science. Support the reasoning that focal hyperhidrosis is

the result of a " structural lesion of the central or peripheral pathways"; which control the

sympathetic nervous system ( Khurana 359 ).

Secondary hyperhidrosis is more widespread than localized or primary hyperhidrosis. This

level of excessive perspiration is linked to other endocrine medical disorders such as the

decrease in sex hormones, which occurs during menopause in women and andropause in

some males ( Bronstein 13 ). Other diseases related to excessive sweating are diabetes, low

blood sugar, thyroid problems, certain types of cancer, heart attacks, nervous system disorder,

infections, or side effects from medication. Secondary hyperhidrosis is generally present

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during adulthood; However, sometimes adolescents or children may suffer from it. In

addition, this type of sweating disorder may occur while the individual is asleep; It depends

on the medical cause behind this disorder (Christiansen 19).

Treatment and Medical Advancement

There is still research to get done; to provide a precise explanation about the etiology of

primary or localized sweating diseases. On the other hand, there is a great deal of information

about several treatments for this type of sweating disorder. According to the author of the

chapter titled Sweating Disorders from the e-book Reference Module in Neuroscience

Behavioral Psychology; There are several methods to treat localized hyperhidrosis among

them are the use of topical antiperspirants, systemic pharmacotherapy like anticholinergics,

botox injection, MiraDry, surgery (Khurana 359).

Primary or localized hyperhidrosis can be treated and even cured using a variety of

treatments; To control the production of excessive sweating on specific parts of the body,

surgical and non-surgical treatments are available. Topical medications, oral medications,

iontophoresis, and botulinum toxin; are some of the most well-known and effective

treatments that can be used to avoid undergoing surgery in the treatment of primary

hyperhidrosis. However, the mentioned treatments have no permanent and immediate effect.

Depending on the treatment, patients should be constant and repeat procedures after a certain

amount of time. Besides, patients can risk suffering side effects like allergic reactions and

irritability; if that is the case, doctors recommend immediately suspending the use of the

product ( Leiderman 75 ).

There are different hyperhidrosis' severity degrees; when the excessive sweating can not

be controlled with topical or oral medication, patients are advised to seek surgical

intervention. Aspiratory curettage of sweating glands in armpits through surgery is a common

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practice recommended by dermatologists to permanently eliminate sweat of a determined

area. Through this procedure, medics extract the sweating glands from the affected area.

Furthermore, it is important to consider that this action may cause the sweating of other parts

of the body, as the body needs to sweat for survival purposes. Also, if the sweating problem is

generalized, experts recommend patients undergo sympathectomy surgery; A surgery of the

sympathetic nervous which controls the action of sweating as a response to emotional or

stressful circumstances, the nerves of the area to be controlled are severed or tightened during

this procedure, this operation is advised to treat secondary hyperhidrosis. Lastly, given

secondary hyperhidrosis is the consequence of different underlying medical diseases, its cure

will depend on the third medical condition linked to it ( Goldman 107 ).

What is on the Horizon?

When talking about the cost of the treatment of hyperhidrosis, we face the reality that is not

affordable for everyone according, to a blog posted on the website of PENNSYLVANIA

CENTRE OF PLASTIC SURGERY, the cost of treatment and surgeries can vary per clinic or

hospital. However, according to data gathered by Dr. Brenman, medical surgeon of the center.

The approximate cost of some procedures are as follows: MiraDry session can go from 1500

to 4500 dollars. Botulinum injections are since 1000 dollars. Surgeries can roughly 10,000

dollars for a patient paying out of pocket. Topical and Oral medication depending on the

brand can go from 14.95 dollars to 40 dollars. However, patients should keep their treatment

for life ( Brenman ).

Students with hyperhidrosis frequently experience anxiety, difficulties concentrating, and

hyperventilation episodes as a result of their discomfort and fear that others may notice their

sweating disease. According to an article titled How Teachers Can Help Students To Cope
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with General Anxiety in the Classroom. Anxiety is increasing in the United States among

children. As was stated by the author, the Center for Diseases Control reported that in 2019

4.4 students aged 3-17 years old were diagnosed with anxiety ( Hammer). Besides, mental

health problems carried by sweating disorders of hyperhidrosis students' academic

performance can be affected. Some of the common issues students have presented are high

absenteeism rates, difficulty retaining content and processing information. Low self-esteem,

unsuccessful relationships with peers and teachers, poor classwork, and disruptive class

behavior ( Hammer ).

Through my investigation, I noticed there are a vast variety of articles and discussion blogs

where the risk of students' mental health is addressed. Some of them share tips for teachers to

achieve the appropriate learning environment to help students control anxiety, concentrate

in-class lessons, and improve communication relationships with peers. However, little is

known about how these guidelines are implemented in classes by professors. And how

beneficial they are with students who suffer from hyperhidrosis disease.

How Hyperhidrosis Disorder in Students Affect Others

Hyperhidrosis can affect students' social life, academic performance, self-esteem, and even

pleasure activities. Parents and caregivers are concerned about the mental health of their

children. Furthermore, some parents may be unaware of the effects of this disease on their

children, and when students begin missing courses to avoid social interaction or when they

receive a poor grade, parents regard their children as lazy or disorganized students. As for

others like school authorities and state authorities, they should ensure students can have

access to more affordable treatments and equal access to school services that support students

through their learning process. According to an article published by the US National Library

of Medicine National Institution of Health Anxiety disorders, unlike disruptive behavior

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problems. Typically go unreported by teachers and parents because clinically anxious children

are often obedient, follow rules, and do not draw attention to themselves. In addition,

treatment is further hindered by stigma, long waitlists, and expensive expenses in traditional

settings (community clinics and independent clinicians). These considerations, taken together,

emphasize the significance of pursuing alternate venues and approaches for diagnosing and

treating anxiety disorders in children and adolescents ( Herzing )

To sum up, everything that has been discussed in this paper, I want to say that hyperhidrosis

on either of its degrees of severity represents a barrier for students' social, personal, and

academic life. And it should not be underestimated by parents, school authorities, the

community, and local state authorities. Also, more work should be done to archive students

from all social backgrounds to have access to more affordable treatments and surgeries.

Finally, I believe it is critical to inform families and students about the various treatments and

therapies available to them to treat their excessive sweating disorder, as many parents are

unaware of costs, treatment side effects, and the possibility of underlying diseases affecting

their children's thermoregulatory living process.

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Cited Work

Brenman, Scott. “How Much Does MiraDry Cost .” PENNSYLVANIA CENTRE OF

PLASTIC SURGERY ,

Https://Www.phillyfemilift.com/Blog/How-Much-Does-Miradry-Cost/, 22 Nov. 2021,

phillyfemilif . Accessed 24 Nov. 2021.

Bronstein M.D. (2018) Secondary Hyperhidrosis: Endocrinopathies and Hyperhidrosis. In:

Loureiro M., Campos J., Wolosker N., Kauffman P. (eds) Hyperhidrosis. Springer,

Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-89527-7_2

Christiansen, Sherry. “ Causes of Hyperhidrosis”. VeryWell Health. Dotdash, 19 July 2021,

Primary and Secondary Hyperhidrosis: Causes (verywellhealth.com)

Doolittle, James et al. “Hyperhidrosis: an update on prevalence and severity in the United

States.” Archives of dermatological research vol. 308,10 (2016): 743-749.

doi:10.1007/s00403-016-1697-9

Golcman R., Fraga M.F.P., Golcman B. (2018) Axillary Hyperhidrosis: Local Surgical

Treatment with Aspiratory Curettage. In: Loureiro M., Campos J., Wolosker N.,
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Kauffman P. (eds) Hyperhidrosis. Springer, Cham.

https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-89527-7_16

Hammer , Brita. “How Teachers Can Help Students Cope with General Anxiety in the

Classroom.” The # 1 Curriculum and Assessment Partner for Educators , Edmentum, 21 Oct.

2019, blog.edmentum.com/how-teachers-can-help-stydents-cope-general-anxiety-classroom.

Herzig-Anderson, Kathleen, et al. “School-Based Anxiety Treatments for Children and

Adolescents.” Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America, U.S.

National Library of Medicine, July 2012,

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3399129/.

Kauffman P. (2018) Primary Hyperhidrosis. In: Loureiro M., Campos J., Wolosker N.,

Kauffman P. (eds) Hyperhidrosis. Springer, Cham.

https://doi-org.ezproxy.library.csn.edu/10.1007/978-3-319-89527-7_4

Khurana. R.K. “ Sweating Disorder”. Localized Hyperhidrosis. Encyclopedia of the

Neurological Sciences (Second Edition), edited by Michael J. Aminoff, Robert B.

Daroff, Academic Press, 2014, Pages 359-362,

https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-385157-4.00513-3.

(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780123851574005133)

Leiderman D.B.D., Neves S., Wolosker N. (2018) Pharmacological Treatment of

Hyperhidrosis. In: Loureiro M., Campos J., Wolosker N., Kauffman P. (eds)

Hyperhidrosis. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-89527-7_12

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