Hypohidrosis Causes, Symptoms And Treatment

 Hypohidrosis is a condition in which a person’s ability to sweat is decreased even in humid and hot environments. Your body cools itself off with the help of sweating. But people with hypohidrosis are not able to sweat because of the functional abnormality in the sweat glands. It is also known as absent sweating. This condition increases the amount of heat in the body which leads towards heat stroke. Heat stroke is a life threatening condition. It may affect small or large areas of the body. Sweating is an essential factor involved in maintaining skin hydration. Your skin becomes severely dry due to hypohidrosis. The person’s ability to tolerate exertion or heat is affected badly. If hypohidrosis is left untreated, it can lead towards the development of more serious condition anhidrosis. Anhidrosis is the complete absence of sweating.

Causes

The most common cause behind hypohidrosis is the abnormality in sweat glands. This abnormality or dysfunctional sweat glands is due to the deformity in the formation of sweat glands or neurological problems. It can also be caused by any problem or disease which causes nerve damage.  For example, parkinson’s disease, multiple system atrophy, diabetes, alcoholism, ross syndrome and fabry disease. There are some conditions that can permanently damage your sweat glands such as severe sun burns or burns, radiation, trauma and inflammation. Psoriasis, dermatitis and ichthyosis can also cause the severe inflammation of skin which severely damages your sweat glands. Immune system diseases such as sjogren’s disease, bone marrow disorder, scleroderma and pulmonary problems can also cause hypohidrosis. Genetic defect and congenital diseases also play an important role in causing hypohidrosis. Certain medications such as antipsychotic medications, anticholinergic drugs and calcium-channel blockers can also interfere with the functioning of sweat glands.

Symptoms

The clinical presentation of hypohidrosis depends upon which part or area of the body is affected. The main symptoms of hypohidrosis are discussed below.

• Loss of body sweat      
• Body cramps and ache
• Weakness
• Very dry skin
• Flushing
• Heat stroke
• Rapid heart beat
• Dizziness
• Inability to tolerate heat or exertions 
• Lightheadedness
• Nausea
• Blurred vision
• Feeling of excessive heat

Treatment

The aim of treatment in hypohidrosis is to treat the underlying cause of hypohidrosis. A person may feel better by treating the underlying cause of hypohidrosis. If this condition is caused by medications such as antipsychotic medications, anticholinergic drugs and calcium-channel blockers, then you should avoid taking these medications. You should try to cool down your body by following preventive measures. You must avoid activities that increase your body temperature. You should take shower with cold water and wear damp clothes to balance your body temperature in hot weather. You should avoid exercise in a hot environment and you should drink plenty of water. You must sponge your body with cold water.