Q2. Can you inherit excessive sweating?

A2. Yes. There is a form of excessive sweating known as ‘primary hyperhidrosis’ which has a genetic tendency. In other words, if someone in your family has hyperhidrosis then you stand a good chance of developing this condition. Not everyone with hyperhidrosis has developed this for genetic reasons. There is another form of this disease which occurs as a result of a medical condition such as an overactive thyroid or a natural stage in life – e.g. the menopause.

Find out more about these two conditions in our types of excessive sweating section.

Excessive sweating FAQ:

Excessive sweating FAQs

1. What is 'excessive sweating?'
2. Can you inherit excessive sweating?
3. Who is most likely to get excessive sweating?
4. Is there more than one type of excessive sweating?
5. What is 'nocturnal hyperhidrosis?'
6. Do night sweats affect menopausal women only?
7. What causes excessive sweating in children?

9. Could my excessive sweating be caused by a medical problem?
10. How do you treat excessive sweating?
11. What is 'Odaban?'
12. What is 'iontophoresis?'
13. Is Botox effective at treating excessive sweating?
14. Can surgery help?
15. Do I need to change my lifestyle?
16. Can you ever be 'cured'of excessive sweating?