Capillary Hyperhidrosis: What it Is, Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

Sweating or perspiration is the mechanism through which our body keeps our temperature constant, around 37 degrees.

When it is hot, we do physical exercise or face situations that cause us stress, our body temperature increases. Thanks to sweating and cooling of the skin, our body is able to release heat.

Some people sweat excessively compared to others This condition when considered pathological is called hyperhidrosis. Hyperhidrosis is a common disease, it can affect all areas of the body or only some specific parts.

Typically, the most affected areas are the armpits, palms of the hands, soles of the feet, face and chest, and groin. Hyperhidrosis is a bilateral disease, affecting both parts of the body equally, for example, both hands or feet.

Excessive sweating, although it does not pose a serious threat to the patient’s health, can be a source of stress and embarrassment. These negative feelings can lead to more serious conditions, such as depression and anxiety in some patients. In this article We will see what capillary hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating that affects the scalp.

Table of Contents

What is capillary hyperhidrosis?

Capillary hyperhidrosis is the pathological condition that refers to excessive sweating of the scalp Like other hyperhidrosis, excessive sweating appears when performing physical exercise, facing specific stressful situations or when eating certain foods (usually spicy).

Capillary hyperhidrosis is also known as craniofacial hyperhidrosis, since it refers to the precise area where excess sweat occurs. Craniofacial hyperhidrosis occurs on the scalp, forehead, face, neck, and chest It can occur in all regions or only in some, but its origin is the same: it is caused by the secretion of overactive sweat glands.

Sweat is mainly composed of water, mineral salts and other chemical substances, it is expelled to the outside through the small holes that make up our skin system (pores). When it reaches the surface and evaporates, sweat releases excess heat and keeps our body temperature constant.

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Yes ok Sweat is a natural mechanism of our body and helps us maintain temperature excessive sweating can be counterproductive and lead to a series of physical problems, beyond the psychological ones derived from the embarrassment and stress caused by sweating profusely in front of other people.

The most common external factor causing capillary hyperhidrosis is high temperatures Excessive hair sweating increases strongly with heat. Although the sweat secreted on the scalp has no smell or color, it does produce other consequences that are unpleasant and uncomfortable for affected people, especially in social situations or when performing in front of an audience.

Causes of Capillary Hyperhidrosis

Capillary hyperhidrosis It is caused by excessive secretion of sweat from the sweat glands Mostly, sweat glands are eccrine and are distributed throughout the skin. Apocrine glands are found mainly in the scalp, armpits and groin, where there are the greatest number of hair follicles. Apocrine glands in the skin release essences and open into hair follicles.

Capillary hyperhidrosis It is caused by the overactivity of both types of glands This excessive function derives from external factors, mainly heat is the cause of excessive sweating of the scalp glands, but it also responds to emotional factors and side effects of some medications (which act as stimulants).

Scientific literature describes two types of hyperhidrosis. A hyperhidrosis described as primary, which could be the result of a genetic component, which affects the stress response of the nervous system, causing excessive sweating. And secondary hyperhidrosis derived from other types of pathological conditions such as diabetes, obesity or hormonal alterations, which include excessive sweating in their symptoms.

Associated effects and symptoms of capillary hyperhidrosis

Sweat is mainly water, plus 1% mineral salts and other chemicals such as ammonia, urea, and sugars Hair is part of the natural barriers that our body has to protect itself from external aggressions. But it also makes it difficult to eliminate sweat and the chemical components that form it.

An excessive accumulation of chemical components on the scalp can promote the appearance of skin diseases such as irritative or seborrheic dermatitis, in addition to affecting the hair follicles and in the most serious cases, causing hair loss. Let’s look at the main consequences of excessive sweating for the hair and scalp.

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1. Hair loss

Severe cases of capillary hyperhidrosis can present hair loss among its most serious symptoms. This damage occurs to the front of the head. A study recently pointed out excessive sweating of the scalp as the main cause of the disorder frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) a condition that affects the front part of the hair of both men and women.

2. Frizz and dull hair

Excess hair sweat increases the number of washes and the amount of shampoo used in each of them. Specialists suggest washing your hair approximately every three or four days. Excessive washing frequency can cause hair to become frizzy and dry out, due to the chemicals contained in shampoos. If you need to wash your hair frequently, it is recommended to use natural shampoos with a neutral pH.

3. Oily hair

People who suffer from capillary hyperhidrosis sweat when the temperature increases. The humidity produced during the shower also causes sweating, as does the hairdryer Therefore, even if they have just washed their hair correctly and with shampoo, many times after a few hours their roots are full of sweat and their hair is oily.

4. Itchy scalp

Sweat accumulated on the head attracts dust particles. The dust is responsible for the itchy scalp that manifests itself in capillary hyperhidrosis. Besides, sweat can clog skin pores ; The skin continues to produce sebum, but the sebum and other products such as dead skin and sweat, which would normally escape through the holes, become trapped and cause itching. Additionally, compulsive scratching to relieve pain can cause rashes and hair loss.

5. Bad smell from the scalp

Sweat has a characteristic, rather unpleasant odor. Actually, This smell is a product of the microorganisms that inhabit our skin Bacteria feed on our sweat and produce products that have an uncomfortable smell, these excretions are the source of bad odor.

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Treatment of capillary hyperhidrosis

If you suffer from capillary hyperhidrosis, the first thing is to consult a dermatologist, who is the specialist doctor in charge of treating skin, nails and hair conditions. Although there are a series of strategies that can help you treat excessive sweating.

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1. Follow a healthy diet

There are foods that are more susceptible than others to causing excessive sweating. For example, spicy or very hot foods increase body temperature and cause a subsequent increase in the amount of sweat that is derived.

Foods low in fat and high in fiber like fruits and vegetables, are easily digestible and help maintain the homeostasis of our body, including temperature.

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2. Cold water

You can use strategies to reduce body temperature to avoid excessive activation of sweat glands. Drinking cold water is one of the main strategies to combat heat and excess sweat.

Water is also a great thermal conductor that is, it allows the exchange of heat from one environment to another, in this case it facilitates the transport from the inside of the body to the skin, allowing for faster cooling of the body.

3. Correct hygiene

Excessive sweating of the scalp requires special attention when washing your hair. Excess sweat requires more frequent washing to eliminate bacteria and their excretions. However, it is not advisable to wash your hair too frequently due to the chemicals in some hair products.

It’s very important use a neutral pH shampoo for sensitive hair that do not contain harmful chemicals. There are also products that help with hydration and strengthening of the scalp, such as anti-hair loss masks and anti-dandruff products, which also help combat problems derived from hyperhidrosis.

When finished, it is important to rinse with plenty of water and ensure that there are no traces of shampoo. It is recommended to wash with cold or warm water, not hot, as it would activate the glands that produce sweat.