The difference between hyperhidrosis and body odor

Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
Updated on September 07, 2024
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Hyperhidrosis is generally caused by one's endocrine issues or hormonal imbalances, leading to excessive sweating. The primary symptom is excessive sweating in the hands; sweating tends to increase with physical activity or handwork. Some patients also experience excessive sweating in the armpits and around the upper thighs. Bromhidrosis is a genetically inherited disease characterized by excessive sweating and unpleasant odors in the armpits, demonstrating a familial tendency. These two conditions are distinct and require different treatments. Bromhidrosis is mainly treated surgically to completely remove the sweat glands and reduce the odor, although it cannot be completely cured. In contrast, hyperhidrosis can be managed through self-regulation and using traditional Chinese medicine to adjust the endocrine balance, which can be effective for treatment.

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Written by Zhang Jian Bo
Dermatology
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How is hyperhidrosis of the hands and feet treated?

The patient suffers from palmar-plantar hyperhidrosis, which can be treated using antiperspirants or botulinum toxin injections. Palmar-plantar hyperhidrosis is primarily about controlling sweat secretion and is caused by a disorder in the sympathetic nervous system function. In treatment, antiperspirants used mainly contain aluminum salt compounds, such as 20% aluminum chloride. It should be used according to the doctor's instructions, every three to five days. Typically, dryness and flaking of the skin occur after using the medication, and timely skin care is necessary. Botulinum toxin injections can also be used to treat palmar-plantar hyperhidrosis. Botulinum toxin can inhibit the action of acetylcholine at local nerve endings, which also has a therapeutic effect on local hyperhidrosis. Moreover, the effect lasts relatively long, maintaining about six months.

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Written by Xia Min
Traditional Chinese Medicine
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What Chinese medicine is good for excessive sweating?

In clinical settings, hyperhidrosis is often divided into two types: spontaneous sweating and night sweating. Spontaneous sweating is mainly caused by qi deficiency, and commonly treated with Astragalus, Cypress, and Fangfeng to address the excessive sweating due to qi deficiency. On the other hand, night sweating is primarily due to yin deficiency. For yin deficiency-induced hyperhidrosis, medicines that nourish yin such as Rehmannia glutinosa, Cornus officinalis, and Chinese yam are used. Additionally, other yin-nourishing medicines like Asparagus Tuber, Ophiopogon Japonicus, and Dendrobium can also be employed. (Medicines should be taken under the guidance of a physician and based on actual conditions.)

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Written by Xia Min
Traditional Chinese Medicine
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Is excessive sweating due to qi deficiency?

In clinical practice, it is common to see that qi deficiency often leads to excessive sweating, but does excessive sweating always indicate qi deficiency? Not necessarily. There are three reasons for excessive sweating: The first reason is qi deficiency, the second reason is damp-heat, and the third reason is yin deficiency. As you can see, excessive sweating is not always due to qi deficiency; it can also be due to yin deficiency or damp-heat. There is also a condition of excessive sweating due to congenitally active sweat glands, which is not caused by qi deficiency but is instead a hereditary factor. Therefore, excessive sweating is not necessarily always due to qi deficiency.

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Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
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Why does rickets cause excessive sweating?

Rickets, also known as Vitamin D deficiency rickets, is a chronic systemic nutritional disease characterized by bone lesions caused by insufficient Vitamin D in infants, children, or adolescents, leading to disturbances in calcium and phosphorus metabolism. The main features of this disease are incomplete calcification of the long bone epiphyses, cartilage plates, and bone tissue due to Vitamin D deficiency, resulting in incomplete osteogenic calcification. This disease is generally seen in infants under two years of age, particularly common in infants aged 3-18 months. Due to the lack of Vitamin D, the disease can present symptoms such as excessive night sweating, irritability, restlessness, crying, and cradle cap. Therefore, the excessive sweating associated with this disease is mainly caused by a deficiency in Vitamin D.

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Written by Qiu Xin Hui
Traditional Chinese Medicine
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What department should I go to for hyperhidrosis?

Hyperhidrosis is primarily caused by autonomic nervous dysfunction. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) believes that there are various reasons for this condition, such as imbalances in the body's nutrient and defensive levels, liver and gallbladder damp-heat, yin deficiency leading to excessive fire, and so forth. If hyperhidrosis occurs, it is recommended to visit a hospital and consult with a TCM internal medicine doctor. The doctor will diagnose based on the individual's constitution and clinical manifestations through the four diagnostic methods of inspection, listening, questioning, and pulse-taking. This helps to identify the specific causes of hyperhidrosis and choose appropriate medications for treatment. Additionally, daily life should include a lighter diet, maintaining a cheerful mood, and avoiding staying up late to facilitate the treatment and improvement of hyperhidrosis.