Understanding inguinal hyperhidrosis

19th April 2024
Botox, Hyperhidrosis (sweating)

Hyperhidrosis is the medical term for excessive sweating when the body doesn’t need to be cooled down because of temperature or exercise.

It occurs in various parts of the body, including the head, underarms, feet and hands. It is also commonly experienced in the groin area – this is known as inguinal hyperhidrosis.

If you are concerned about excessive sweating of the groin or inner thighs, inguinal hyperhidrosis could be the cause.

Here we help you understand the condition and the treatments that are available to help effectively manage it.

What causes hyperhidrosis?

Hyperhidrosis often has no obvious cause. It is believed to be the result of an issue with the part of the nervous system that controls sweating. This type is known as primary hyperhidrosis.

Hyperhidrosis that has an identifiable cause is called secondary hyperhidrosis.

What are the symptoms of inguinal hyperhidrosis?

Hyperhidrosis can be uncomfortable and embarrassing. When it becomes a source of anxiety, it can also interfere with your quality of life.

Time of year impacts the severity of the condition; it usually becomes more noticeable during the late spring and summer months.

The symptoms of inguinal hyperhidrosis include persistent dampness, unpleasant odour, and skin irritation.

If you experience any type of hyperhidrosis, it’s important to tell your GP in case it is an indicator of an underlying condition. Further information about hyperhidrosis from the NHS.

Groin hyperhidrosis in men and women

The sweat glands are the eccrine and apocrine glands. Eccrine glands occur over most of the body and open directly onto the skin’s surface. Apocrine glands open into hair follicles, which lead to the surface of the skin.

Because apocrine glands develop in areas with many hair follicles, they are numerous in areas of the body such as the scalp, armpits and groin.

Inguinal hyperhidrosis in men

Men tend to sweat more than women, therefore what may be considered excessive sweating for a woman, may be more normal for a man.

However, there are certain conditions that are known to cause excessive sweating in men that interferes with day to day life, these include but are not limited to:

low blood sugar
diabetes
hyperthyroidism, which may include other symptoms like rapid weight loss, jitteriness, fatigue, and increased heart rate
medications including some blood pressure medications, chemotherapy, hormone treatments, and certain antidepressants
hormone imbalance
anxiety disorders or stress
obesity
family history of hyperhidrosis

Source: https://www.sweathelp.org/pdf/Diseases_2009.pdf

Inguinal hyperhidrosis in women

It is common for women to experience inguinal sweating. For some women, excessive sweating can indicate a problem.

The causes of sweating in the groin area in women are varied and include:

menopause, due to fluctuating hormone levels
low blood sugar
diabetes, which may include night sweats, caused by low blood sugar during the night
pregnancy, due to changing hormones
hormone imbalance
hyperthyroidism, which may include other symptoms like rapid weight loss, jitteriness, fatigue, and increased heart rate
medications including some blood pressure medications, chemotherapy, hormone treatments, and certain antidepressants
anxiety disorders or stress
a family history of hyperhidrosis
obesity

Source: https://www.sweathelp.org/pdf/Diseases_2009.pdf

Groin hyperhidrosis treatment

There are several approaches to treating groin hyperhidrosis:

Topical antiperspirants

Some sufferers of groin hyperhidrosis find that over-the-counter or prescription-strength antiperspirants can help to manage the condition. Products containing aluminum chloride can be applied to the groin area to reduce sweating. They work by blocking the sweat glands to reduce sweat production.

Lifestyle considerations

Keeping your body cool will naturally reduce its overall need to sweat. Wearing clothes made from natural rather than manmade fibres can be helpful.

Having more frequent showers, where practical, can help you to feel fresher.

Certain triggers can aggravate hyperhidrosis, therefore working out whether this is something that contributes to your sweating can help. Triggers might include drinking alcohol or caffeine, and eating spicy or strong-smelling foods.

Stress can also be a factor, so trying to minimise stress through relaxation techniques or therapy may help.

Medications

For some people with inguinal hyperhidrosis, oral medications containing anticholinergics may be prescribed to help reduce sweating.

These medications work by blocking the chemical signals that stimulate sweat production.

Iontophoresis

Iontophoresis is a procedure involving passing a mild electrical current through the skin, whilst the affected area is immersed in water.

This treatment can temporarily help reduce sweating by blocking sweat gland activity. It is most commonly used for hyperhidrosis treatment of the hands and feet, but can be used for other parts of the body.

Botox treatment for inguinal hyperhidrosis

Botox is a widely recognised treatment for hyperhidrosis, and this is something we provide for our patients.

Botulinum toxin or ‘botox’ injections can be administered directly into the skin of the groin area. The treatment works by temporarily blocking the release of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that stimulates sweat production.

This treatment is effective for primary hyperhidrosis sufferers. For those with secondary hyperhidrosis, the results can vary. Our expert practitioners will thoroughly assess treatment suitability during your consultation.

Botox isn’t a cure for hyperhidrosis, so regular treatments (usually every three to six months) are required to maintain the benefits. However, it is a safe and effective way of managing the condition.