Diagnosing hyperhidrosis can be hard, and the condition is often mistaken for other issues. Doctors may think your sweating is due to hormone changes or that it’s a normal part of puberty. This can delay treatment that could improve your quality of life.

“I first told my doctors about this around 10 years ago, yet nothing was ever done about it,” one MyHyperhidrosisTeam member wrote. Another said, “I was lucky — my doctor had had patients with hyperhidrosis before, so he was quick to refer me to a dermatologist. But I’ve heard from others that their symptoms have been dismissed or blamed on menopause.”

Read on to learn how hyperhidrosis is diagnosed and which tests may be used to diagnose this excessive sweating disorder.

Can You Self-Diagnose Hyperhidrosis?

You may suspect you have hyperhidrosis due to the amount of sweat you produce. If that’s the case, it’s possible that you do have the condition. But it’s important to see a healthcare provider for a formal diagnosis. They’ll perform an exam and ask questions about your history of sweating.

Getting diagnosed by a primary care doctor or dermatologist gives you access to treatments that may help reduce sweating.

Tests for Hyperhidrosis

There are two types of hyperhidrosis. The more common type is primary hyperhidrosis, also called primary focal hyperhidrosis. This type doesn’t have an underlying cause. It usually affects one or two body areas, such as the soles of your feet or your armpits, palms, or head.

The second type is called secondary hyperhidrosis. In this condition, sweating is caused by another health issue or a medication side effect. During the diagnosis process, your doctor will work to figure out which type you have. This will guide your treatment options.

Medical History

Your doctor will take a detailed history, asking about your symptoms over time, family medical history, and other conditions or medications. This information can help the doctor evaluate any hyperhidrosis risk factors you have and get a better idea of whether you have primary or secondary hyperhidrosis.

Your doctor may also ask you questions based on the ABCDEFG criteria:

• Age of onset — Primary hyperhidrosis often begins in childhood or adolescence.
• Bilateral — Hyperhidrosis usually affects both sides of the body equally. This is referred to as bilateral sweating.
• Cessation during sleep — Hyperhidrosis isn’t usually related to excessive nighttime sweating. Sweating while you sleep is probably the result of a different condition.
• Duration — To diagnose hyperhidrosis, the doctor will ask whether you’ve been having symptoms of hyperhidrosis for at least six months.
• Episodes — People with primary hyperhidrosis may not sweat excessively all the time, but most have at least two episodes a week. It’s a good idea to track your episodes to show your doctor the frequency.
• Family history — About 66 percent of people with primary hyperhidrosis have family members with the condition.
• Gets in the way — Hyperhidrosis typically interferes with quality of life. Your doctor will ask whether your sweating gets in the way of enjoying activities and other parts of daily life.

Physical Examination

Your doctor will carefully examine your skin for hyperhidrosis symptoms and any related changes.

Sweat Tests

Sweat tests aren’t commonly used to diagnose hyperhidrosis. Most doctors rely on a physical exam and history to diagnose hyperhidrosis. Still, some doctors may use sweat tests for research or before certain procedures.

One example is Minor’s starch-iodine test. During this test, your skin is covered with a special powder that turns dark where you sweat. The room may be warmed to trigger sweating, and the doctor will look at the pattern of dark spots. Where you sweat and whether it happens on both sides of your body can help them understand your symptoms.

Another type of sweat test is called a paper test. The doctor places special paper on sweaty areas of your skin. After sweating, the paper is removed and weighed to measure the amount of sweat.

Blood or Urine Tests

Your doctor may order blood or urine tests to help rule out underlying causes of secondary hyperhidrosis.

What’s the Prognosis for Hyperhidrosis?

There’s no cure for hyperhidrosis, but effective hyperhidrosis treatments are available. The condition isn’t life-threatening, but it can affect your quality of life and your daily activities. That’s why it’s important to see a healthcare provider who has experience diagnosing it. With the right care, you can find an approach that helps you manage your symptoms.

Connect With Others Who Understand

On MyHyperhidrosisTeam, people living with hyperhidrosis come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand.

Was it challenging to get a hyperhidrosis diagnosis? Let others know in the comments below.