Monday, November 9, 2009

Skin infections


It's fundamental stop sweating to prevent infections of the skin. People who suffer from excessive sweating already have to deal with a series of inhibitions of social life. Now, according to a new study ,those who suffer of hyperhidros also has a higher risk of developing infections of the skin. This is confirmed by the U.S. dermatologist Hobart W. Walling of Coralville. There are two types of hyperhidrosis, primary and secondary. The first does not result from a medical condition or a medication, the second comes for example from Phaeochromocytoma or hyperthyroidism. Of primary hyperhidrosis suffers 3% of the population and
symptoms are excessive sweating that lasts six months, with at least two of the following additional features: affecting both sides of the body, occurs at least once a week, starting before 25 years old, ceases during sleep, other family members suffer the same symptoms.It's a condition in which it is difficult to stop sweating. Dr. Walling and a team of researchers have collected information of about 300 patients who were visited in the University of Iowa, department of dermatology who suffer of hyperhidrosis. In the same way they have recorded the information from other 410 patients who had not been diagnosed with the disease (control group). "Many studies have focused on psychological and social effects related to 'hyperhidrosis, but few have focused on the consequences of the medical condition," said Dr. Walling. "Our study was to examine the relationship between suffering from hyperhidrosis and the development of skin infections in affected areas."Among patients with primary hyperhidrosis, 58.9% were female and more than 41.1% were men. More than half of patients (53.4%) suffered from hyperhidrosis only in one area of the body, while the remaining patients (46.6%) had more of the parties affected. Taken the most targeted were the soles of the feet (50.1%), followed by the palms of the hands (45.2%) and the axillae (43.4%). Other affected areas included the face, scalp, groin and back.

In addition, a number of patients suffering from primary hyperhidrosis (38.6%) that wanted to stop sweating, provided additional information concerning factors that aggravate their condition: stress, excitement, anxiety or social situations particular the most common (56.7%). Some find that the heat or humidity worsened their condition (22%), while others deny aggravating factors (15.3%).
The overall risk of developing a skin infection caused by bacteria, fungus or viruses was significantly higher for patients with primary hyperhidrosis than those without (30% vs. 12%). In particular, patients from hyperhidrosis were significantly more at risk to develop a 'fungal infection in areas affected by hyperhidrosis (12.1%) than in the control group (2.7%). Similarly, the risk of bacterial infection is high in patients with hyperhidrosis (5.4%) compared to those in the control group (2.2%). The risk of viral infection is higher (12.4% of suffering from hyperhidrosis against 7.1%). Finally was observed even greater development of eczematous or atopic dermatitis in patients with hyperhidrosis (9.3%) than those without (3.4%). The importance of stop sweating!