What does hyperhidrosis mean?
Hyperhidrosis is the medical term for excessive sweating. The sweating may be generalized, affecting the whole body, or localized, commonly involving the palms, soles, armpits, forehead, or back. Unlike ordinary sweating caused by heat or exertion, hyperhidrosis can continue at a level that is disruptive and may lead to social discomfort, skin problems, or difficulty using everyday objects such as keyboards and tools. The condition is described as primary when no specific underlying cause is identified and secondary when it is associated with another medical condition, medication, or physiological factor. Hyperhidrosis is a recognized condition in British and American medical usage, although it is less commonly discussed in general conversation than the simpler words sweating or perspiring.
nounExcessive sweating, especially when it occurs beyond what is normally expected from exercise, heat, or emotional stress. It may be localized to particular parts of the body or affect the whole body.
- The medical condition of sweating excessively or more than is normally expected.
"Her hyperhidrosis made it difficult to shake hands comfortably during the meeting."
"The patient was referred to a dermatologist because of hyperhidrosis affecting her palms."
"Although the weather was cool, his hyperhidrosis left his shirt visibly damp."
The plural is rarely used in ordinary writing but is grammatically formed by adding -es.
"The clinic provides treatment for patients with primary hyperhidroses."
Hyperhidrosis turns sweating from a cooling mechanism into a condition that can disrupt everyday life, from gripping objects to shaking hands.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does hyperhidrosis come from?
The word combines the prefix hyper-, meaning excessive, with hydr- or hydro-, from Greek hydōr, meaning water, and the suffix -osis, used in medical terminology to denote a condition. The components reflect the word's basic sense of an excess of moisture or sweating. Related words such as hydration, dehydration, and hydrogen share the Greek water-root, while prognosis, diagnosis, and necrosis use the same general suffix pattern in Greek-derived medical vocabulary.
Related word forms
How hyperhidrosis is actually used
This is a clinical or medical term rather than a general term for sweating. It is commonly classified as primary, when the cause is not established, or secondary, when it results from another condition, medication, or physiological factor.
Easily confused with hyperhidrosis
Hyperhidrosis means excessive sweating, whereas hypohidrosis means reduced or insufficient sweating.
Diaphoresis is the medical term for sweating in general, whereas hyperhidrosis specifically denotes sweating that is excessive or abnormal.