Hypohidrosis is a condition that causes a person to sweat less than normal. As we know, sweating helps the body cool down, and not sweating enough can lead to heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion.
It is a less severe form of anhidrosis (deficiency or absence of perspiration), in which you do not perspire at all or it is done in less quantity than necessary. It is also possible for a person to sweat excessively, known as hyperhidrosis.
By being less able to sweat, the body is less effective at cooling itself, which in turn causes dry skin, heat intolerance, and a general feeling of discomfort.
Symptoms
-Very dry skin
-Redness of the skin
-Incapacity to tolerate heat
-Incapacity to tolerate physical exertion
-Feeling excessively hot
-Difficulty breathing
-Feeling groggy
-Have muscle cramps or weakness
Causes
Hypohidrosis occurs because the sweat glands malfunction. Normally, as body temperature increases, the autonomic nervous system stimulates the sweat glands, which then release moisture onto the surface of the skin. Sweat evaporation cools the skin.
A localized skin condition or injury can damage the sweat glands and reduce sweating. Hypohidrosis can also be one of the symptoms of an immune or neurological condition.
Some people may have idiopathic hypohidrosis, which is hypohidrosis that occurs without a known cause.
The most common are, therefore: skin conditions and lesions, dehydration, certain medications (antipsychotics, anticholinergic drugs or calcium channel blockers) or an underlying disorder that affects the central nervous system (such as multisystemic atrophy, sclerosis multiple disease, Parkinson’s disease, or Lewy body dementia).
Disorders that affect the peripheral nervous system can also cause hypohidrosis , such as vitamin B deficiency, gout, Ross Syndrome, or Harlequin Syndrome (involves sweating more on one side of the body than the other).
You can also inherit a faulty gene that causes your sweat glands to malfunction or not at all. People affected by a rare genetic condition called hypohydrotic ectodermal dysplasia are born without sweat glands or with very few functional sweat glands, for example.
Associated risks
One of the greatest risks of hypohidrosis is the development of heat stroke , a serious and potentially fatal medical condition. Symptoms include: severe thirst, headache, dizziness and confusion, rapid breathing or rapid pulse, fever, nausea, and loss of appetite or cramps in the arms, legs, and stomach
Treatment
Taking cold showers in warmer climates can help control hypohidrosis.
Treatment for hypohidrosis will depend on its underlying cause. If the cause is due to another medical condition, hypohidrosis may improve once treatment for that condition begins.
Avoid medications that can aggravate hypohidrosis, which may include anticholinergics and opioids.
Limit activities that increase core body temperature.
Exercise under supervision and in a cool, well-ventilated environment.
Tips for maintaining body temperature
-Cold showers
-Using a cool mist humidifier indoors
-Wear loose clothing
-Wear wet clothes when it’s hot
-Apply wet sticks to the skin
-Avoid overexertion
