Treatment of primary hyperhidrosis

Primary hyperhidrosis (PH)is a chronic disease characterized by abnormally increased sweating in excess of normal physiologic needs of the body, and severely affects the quality of life in patients. The incidence of PH ranges from 2.8% to 16.3% in the general population. Its treatment includes conservative therapy and surgical therapy. Conservative therapy of PH involves topical antiperspirants, oral anticholinergics, ionotherapy, botulinum toxin injection, lasers, radio frequency, etc. Surgical therapy involves excision of axillary sweat glands, axillary liposuction and sympathectomy. Individualized treatment is recommended for PH. Surgical therapy should be reserved for patients who fail to respond to conservative therapy. Key words: Hyperhidrosis; Antiperspirants; Iontophoresis; Cholinergic antagonists; Botulinum toxins; Surgical procedures, operative