Anhidrosis is a condition where the body cannot produce sweat normally. Sweating plays a key role in regulating body temperature. When the body heats, sweat glands release moisture onto the skin, which evaporates, cooling the body. Disrupting this mechanism significantly impacts stable body temperature.
Recognizing Anhidrosis
Individuals with anhidrosis notice diminished or absent sweating, even in warm environments or during exertion. Symptoms include feeling uncomfortably hot, skin flushing, or heat intolerance. Affected areas may feel unusually warm.
Muscle cramps and dizziness can occur as the body struggles to dissipate heat. Some experience a complete lack of sweating, while others find only specific regions (e.g., back, chest, limbs) are affected. Localized reduction means other body parts might compensate by sweating excessively.
Causes of Anhidrosis
Anhidrosis stems from issues affecting sweat glands or their controlling nerves. Skin problems like severe burns or radiation therapy can damage sweat glands, impeding sweat production. Skin diseases like psoriasis or scleroderma may also affect sweat ducts, leading to blockages.
Nerve damage is another common cause. Conditions like diabetes (peripheral neuropathy) or chronic alcoholism can impair nerve function. Autoimmune diseases (e.g., Sjögren’s syndrome), infections (e.g., leprosy), or neurological events (e.g., stroke, spinal cord injury) may also disrupt nerve signals. Complex regional pain syndrome can also impact localized sweating.
Certain medications can cause anhidrosis by interfering with nerve signals or sweat gland function. These include anticholinergic drugs, some antidepressants, and specific heart medications. Genetic factors also link to anhidrosis, as seen in inherited conditions like hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia, where sweat glands are absent or malformed. If no specific cause is identified after investigation, the condition is termed idiopathic anhidrosis.
Diagnosis and Management
Diagnosis involves a comprehensive evaluation by a healthcare professional, including medical history and physical examination. The doctor will inquire about symptoms, their onset, and any existing medical conditions or medications. Specialized tests assess sweat gland function and nerve integrity.
The quantitative sudomotor axon reflex test (QSART) measures sweat produced in response to electrical nerve stimulation. A thermoregulatory sweat test applies a color-changing powder to visualize affected areas after heat exposure. A skin biopsy, a small tissue sample, can also reveal structural changes in sweat glands or nerve endings. Management focuses on addressing the underlying cause if identified, such as adjusting medications or treating a neurological condition.
If a specific cause cannot be treated or during ongoing treatment, proactive steps are needed to manage symptoms and prevent complications. Staying in cool environments, especially during hot weather, is advised. Avoiding strenuous physical activity that generates body heat is important. Wearing light, breathable clothing and using cooling vests or misting sprays can help regulate body temperature.
Potential Health Implications
Reduced sweating can lead to serious heat-related illnesses if not addressed promptly. When the body cannot dissipate heat efficiently, core body temperature rises. This can initially manifest as heat cramps, characterized by painful muscle spasms, often in the legs or abdomen, due to fluid and electrolyte imbalances.
Continued heat exposure can progress to heat exhaustion, with symptoms like heavy sweating in unaffected areas, weakness, nausea, headache, and dizziness. The most severe complication is heatstroke, a life-threatening condition where the body’s temperature regulation system fails. Heatstroke can cause confusion, seizures, loss of consciousness, and organ damage, underscoring the importance of seeking medical attention.