Prevalence of Multifocal Primary Hyperhidrosis and Symptom Severity Over Time: Results of a Targeted Survey.

Background: There is a paucity of data on the prevalence of multifocal primary hyperhidrosis and changes in hyperhidrosis severity over time.

Objective: The goal of this study was to better understand multifocal primary hyperhidrosis, prevalence and distribution of hyperhidrosis by focal site, age of onset of symptoms by focal area, and change in hyperhidrosis severity over time and with seasons.

Materials And Methods: The International Hyperhidrosis Society, through an unrestricted research grant from Revance Therapeutics, conducted an online survey of registered visitors to its Web site.

Resources for hyperhidrosis sufferers, patients, and health care providers.

The excessive sweating of hyperhidrosis creates profound psychosocial, professional, and financial burdens on the individual sufferer; it contributes to impaired self-worth and self-efficacy, decreased satisfaction in all relationships, avoidance of specific careers, and increased expenditures on everything from clothing to medical treatment. Despite morbidity equal to other well-known dermatologic conditions, hyperhidrosis has historically been underacknowledged and undertreated because of the lack of accessible, scientifically accurate information and dispersal of that information within patient and medical communities. Thankfully, the development of the Internet and the work of the not-for-profit International Hyperhidrosis Society (IHHS) have increased awareness of hyperhidrosis.