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Question · Answered
Can Hyperhidrosis Go Away on Its Own?
While there are rare cases where hyperhidrosis symptoms improve over time, spontaneous resolution is uncommon—especially in patients with severe or genetically linked hyperhidrosis. Because the condition is influenced by a complex combination of genetic and biological factors, most patients should not expect symptoms to disappear without treatment.
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Answered by
Dr. Eraj Basseri, M.D.
Unlike mathematics and other precise disciplines of science, there are many variables in medicine. There are some cases where people with hyperhidrosis have symptoms that go away over time. While this can happen, the chances of this condition spontaneously disappearing in someone with severe hyperhidrosis is very rare.
Patients with a family history of hyperhidrosis have an even lower chance of hyperhidrosis clearing up on its own. This stems from the fact that the hyperhidrosis gene is not a dominant gene, but a recessive one.
The manifestation of hyperhidrosis depends on two genes: one from the father and one from the mother. The balance between these two genes also depends on the rest of the genome. This is why we see varying levels of severity. This is also why, in some families with a genetic history of the condition, not everyone will inherit hyperhidrosis.
In some cases, patients may experience a very severe manifestation of hyperhidrosis in their late teens to their early twenties, but the condition improved over time. This is an exception to the general rule.
In some cases, patients report hyperhidrosis after an accident, operation, or some sort of trauma. In these cases, the condition is not genetically determined. Therefore, the typical rules do not apply to these types of patients.
Are Men or Women More Likely to Have Hyperhidrosis?
Studies have not shown any evidence that this condition is associated with one gender’s genes over the other. Hyperhidrosis is almost equal in terms of distribution between men and women. It does not affect one gender more than the other. Even so, hyperhidrosis is typically more bothersome to women rather than men.
A question that patients should ask themselves is “How much does hyperhidrosis affect my life at on a day-to-day basis?” The answer to this question may vary based on the age of the patient. Patients in their crucial social years of early adult life may find that this condition affects them greatly in social situations, as well as professional ones.
It is at this time that most people become aware of the problem. We often get calls from parents, with children in their early teenage years, who witness the issue even before the children themselves complain of symptoms.
It is important to let these children express themselves and their desire to reduce the symptoms of their condition. Surgical intervention should only be considered after more conservative measures are completed first.
Rare
Spontaneous resolution of severe hyperhidrosis is uncommon.
Genetic
Family history remains one of the strongest predictors of persistent symptoms.
Equal
Hyperhidrosis affects men and women at nearly identical rates.
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While hyperhidrosis can occasionally improve with time, most patients with severe symptoms should not expect the condition to simply disappear.
Dr. Eraj Basseri
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