New study on excessive sweating

ST LOUIS, Mo., Aug. 1 (UPI) -- The problem of sweating at inappropriate times is far larger than expected, according to a St. Louis University study.

Everybody sweats. But with hyperhidrosis, the sweating never stops.

Researchers at St. Louis University found about 7.8 million Americans are living with the condition.

Sufferers sometimes have to deal with depression, anxiety, isolation and a reduced quality of life.

"Sweating has a negative connotation in our society," said Dr. Dee Anna Glaser, professor of dermatology at St. Louis University School of Medicine. "We assume that if you're sweating then you must be nervous or you have something to hide. Your thoughts usually aren't positive if you shake hands with someone who has clammy palms."

The study was the largest ever undertaken of the condition -- some 150,000 households -- and had a 70 percent response rate.

"This is a big problem that interests people," she said. "Frankly, I was a little surprised at the high percentage of those affected."