Fungal infections
People who have hyperhidrosis have an increased risk of developing fungal infections, particularly around their feet. Excessive sweat combined with socks and shoes creates a warm, moist environment. This provides an ideal surrounding for fungi to grow.
The two most common fungal infections to affect people with hyperhidrosis are:
- fungal nail infection, which causes the affected nail(s) to become discoloured and brittle
- athlete’s foot, which usually affects the skin between the toes, causing them to become red, flaky and itchy
Fungal infections can be treated with antifungal creams. More severe cases may require antifungal tablets or capsules.
Skin conditions
Excessive sweat can also make you more vulnerable to certain skin conditions, such as:
- warts – small, rough lumps on the skin that are caused by the HPV virus
- eczema – a skin condition that causes the skin to become red, itchy, dry and cracked (sweating does not cause eczema but it can make it worse)
- boils – swollen red-yellow bumps in the skin that can develop when a hair follicle becomes infected
Body odour
The apocrine sweat glands, which are usually unaffected by hyperhidrosis, are responsible for producing most of the unpleasant-smelling sweat that is associated with body odour. The sweat that is associated with hyperhidrosis usually comes out of the eccrine glands and it does not smell.
However, if bacteria are allowed to break down the sweat, it can take on an unpleasant odour. Eating spicy food and drinking alcohol can also make sweat secreted from the eccrine smell. This can be prevented or eased by following lifestyle advice, such as frequently using antiperspirant spray and using armpit shields to absorb sweat. See the treatment page for hyperhidrosis for more information.
Emotional impact
The adverse emotional impact of living with hyperhidrosis can be severe. Research has found that more than half of people who have the condition reported feeling unhappy and, in some cases, depressed. Signs that you may be depressed include:
- feeling down, depressed, or hopeless during the past month
- having little interest or pleasure in things during the past month
It is important not to neglect your mental health because doing so can have a corresponding adverse effect on your physical health. Make an appointment to see your GP if you think that you may be depressed.
A number of effective treatments are available for depression, including talking therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and antidepressant medication.
See the Health A-Z topic about Depression for more information and advice.
