June 18, 2024
Anhidrosis: Why aren't you sweating enough?
The body cools itself through sweating. It is a phenomenon essentially for the functioning of our body.
However, some people are generally not able to sweat normally. In this case, we speak of anhidrosis or hypohidrosis. This occurs when the sweat glands no longer function properly and can affect all or part of our body.
What is anhidrosis?
Anhidrosis results in the inability to sweat normally. When you're not sweating, your body simply can't cool itself. Anhidrosis is a condition in which your sweat glands don't work as they should to release heat and cool your body. This can cause overheating and sometimes heat stroke, a potentially fatal condition.
It is a disease that can be difficult to diagnose. Its light form is often overlooked. The causes of this disease are multiple. It can be due in particular to skin trauma and certain diseases and medications. It is also hereditary.
The causes of anhidrosis
Anhidrosis occurs when the sweat glands fail, perhaps due to a congenital condition or a disease that affects your nerves or skin. It can also be caused by dehydration.
The different causes of anhidrosis are:
· Causes of nerve damage: this is anything that causes nerve damage which is the basis of sweat gland dysfunction. We can cite diabetes, Parkinson's disease, Ross syndrome, alcoholism, lung cancer, Horner syndrome, amyloidosis, etc.
· Causes of skin breakdown: This is damage created by serious burns which hinder the proper functioning of the sweat glands. It can be inflammation, radiation, infection, trauma, exfoliative dermatitis, scleroderma, ichthyosis, etc.
· Medications: Taking anticholinergics can cause side effects such as reduced sweating.
· Congenital causes: Hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia is a hereditary disease in which its carriers are born with very few or no sweat glands. It also happens that people are born with a damaged gene causing their sweat glands to malfunction.
Symptoms of anhidrosis
Anhidrosis manifests itself by:
Little to no sweating
Dizziness
Muscle cramps or weakness
Rinsing
To be hot
No or little sweating may be noticed over a large part of the body, just one part, or in various areas of the body.
If anhidrosis affects a large part of your body, strenuous exercise or physical work and hot weather can cause cramps, exhaustion or even heat stroke which are considered serious complications.
Prevention
Anhidrosis itself cannot be avoided, but the serious complications it causes can. To avoid these complications, you must:
Wear light, loose clothing in hot weather. Emphasize light-colored clothing.
Stay in a cool place indoors, in the shade when it is hot.
Use a spray bottle with water to cool down.
Monitor your intense activity level closely so you don't overdo it. Move slowly
Learn the signs of heat-related illness and how to treat them.
Take a cool shower or sit in a bath of cool water.
Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of fluids, especially water or sports drinks.
Do not drink alcohol or drinks containing caffeine (coffees, teas, colas, chocolate).
Carry a bottle of water with you wherever you go.
Wear sweat clothing as often as possible if your circumstances allow it.
Anhidrosis is a disease like any other. You should see a doctor when you first experience symptoms.
However, some people are generally not able to sweat normally. In this case, we speak of anhidrosis or hypohidrosis. This occurs when the sweat glands no longer function properly and can affect all or part of our body.
What is anhidrosis?
Anhidrosis results in the inability to sweat normally. When you're not sweating, your body simply can't cool itself. Anhidrosis is a condition in which your sweat glands don't work as they should to release heat and cool your body. This can cause overheating and sometimes heat stroke, a potentially fatal condition.
It is a disease that can be difficult to diagnose. Its light form is often overlooked. The causes of this disease are multiple. It can be due in particular to skin trauma and certain diseases and medications. It is also hereditary.
The causes of anhidrosis
Anhidrosis occurs when the sweat glands fail, perhaps due to a congenital condition or a disease that affects your nerves or skin. It can also be caused by dehydration.
The different causes of anhidrosis are:
· Causes of nerve damage: this is anything that causes nerve damage which is the basis of sweat gland dysfunction. We can cite diabetes, Parkinson's disease, Ross syndrome, alcoholism, lung cancer, Horner syndrome, amyloidosis, etc.
· Causes of skin breakdown: This is damage created by serious burns which hinder the proper functioning of the sweat glands. It can be inflammation, radiation, infection, trauma, exfoliative dermatitis, scleroderma, ichthyosis, etc.
· Medications: Taking anticholinergics can cause side effects such as reduced sweating.
· Congenital causes: Hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia is a hereditary disease in which its carriers are born with very few or no sweat glands. It also happens that people are born with a damaged gene causing their sweat glands to malfunction.
Symptoms of anhidrosis
Anhidrosis manifests itself by:
Little to no sweating
Dizziness
Muscle cramps or weakness
Rinsing
To be hot
No or little sweating may be noticed over a large part of the body, just one part, or in various areas of the body.
If anhidrosis affects a large part of your body, strenuous exercise or physical work and hot weather can cause cramps, exhaustion or even heat stroke which are considered serious complications.
Prevention
Anhidrosis itself cannot be avoided, but the serious complications it causes can. To avoid these complications, you must:
Wear light, loose clothing in hot weather. Emphasize light-colored clothing.
Stay in a cool place indoors, in the shade when it is hot.
Use a spray bottle with water to cool down.
Monitor your intense activity level closely so you don't overdo it. Move slowly
Learn the signs of heat-related illness and how to treat them.
Take a cool shower or sit in a bath of cool water.
Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of fluids, especially water or sports drinks.
Do not drink alcohol or drinks containing caffeine (coffees, teas, colas, chocolate).
Carry a bottle of water with you wherever you go.
Wear sweat clothing as often as possible if your circumstances allow it.
Anhidrosis is a disease like any other. You should see a doctor when you first experience symptoms.