Anhidrosis
The content of the article:
- Causes and risk factors
- Forms
- Symptoms
- Diagnostics
- Treatment
- Possible complications and consequences
- Forecast
- Prevention
Anhidrosis is a pathological condition caused by a dysfunction of the sweat glands and manifested by a sharp decrease in sweating until it stops completely.
The main symptoms of anhidrosis are increased dry skin and lack of sweating
Causes and risk factors
The development of congenital anhidrosis is associated with hypoplasia or aplasia of the sweat glands. This pathology, in particular, is accompanied by anhydrotic ectodermal dysplasia.
Acquired anhidrosis can have a different genesis:
- functional;
- neurological;
- toxic;
- traumatic;
- atrophic;
- asthenic.
Anhidrosis often develops against the background of various diseases of the skin. For example, on the affected skin areas with leprosy, ichthyosis, scleroderma and some other diseases, there is a local violation of sweating. Diseases such as deep prickly heat (miliaria profunda) or red prickly heat can lead to acute generalized anhidrosis.
Often the cause of anhidrosis is damage to the spinal cord, peripheral nerves and certain diseases of the nervous system. In this case, the violation of sweating is due to a violation of the innervation of the sweat glands.
Addison's disease, liver cirrhosis, diabetes mellitus can lead to the development of asthenic anhidrosis.
The causes of acute generalized anhidrosis can be:
- radiation sickness;
- cholera;
- acute foodborne toxicoinfections;
- diarrhea;
- uremia;
- toxicosis of pregnant women.
If the drinking regime is not observed in the heat, sweating decreases. This condition is considered physiological anhidrosis. However, at very high ambient temperatures and insufficient fluid intake, a tropical form of anhidrosis occurs. It can also develop when the ducts of the sweat glands become clogged with dust.
Against the background of treatment with ganglion blockers or anticholinergics, sweating may stop. This phenomenon is temporary and is considered a side effect of therapy.
Forms
Depending on the cause, anhidrosis is congenital and acquired.
If the cessation of sweating is observed only in a certain area of the skin, this form of the disease is called local anhidrosis. In contrast, in the generalized form, the functions of all sweat glands are disrupted.
In accordance with the duration of the course of the disease, chronic and acute anhidrosis are distinguished.
Symptoms
The main symptoms of anhidrosis are increased dryness of the skin and lack of perspiration. High dryness of the skin leads to the fact that they crack. Pathogenic microorganisms easily penetrate through cracks, causing infectious and inflammatory diseases.
High dryness of the skin leads to cracks
Sweat not only moisturizes the skin: it removes various toxins from the body. Therefore, the cessation of sweating leads to the development of intoxication syndrome, which is characterized by an increase in body temperature, nausea and vomiting, as well as vasomotor reactions. In this case, the body seeks to remove the toxic substances accumulating in it, using the system of other organs. As a result, frequent loose stools occur, and the amount of urine excreted increases.
With local anhidrosis, increased sweating of adjacent skin areas with normally functioning sweat glands is often observed. Some patients with local anhidrosis go to the doctor with complaints not of dry skin, but, on the contrary, of increased sweating.
Acute generalized anhidrosis is difficult. This form of the disease is characterized by:
- dry, red, and hot skin;
- rapid rise in body temperature;
- increased heart rate;
- increased frequency of respiratory movements;
- disturbances of consciousness;
- convulsive seizures.
Diagnostics
Moisture sensors are attached to the patient's skin to identify areas where sweat separation is impaired. After that, he is given a drug to drink that increases sweat production, or histamine is injected intradermally. To enhance the production of sweat, the patient is wrapped in a special thermal blanket.
Treatment
Effective treatment of anhidrosis is possible only if it is possible to eliminate the cause that caused its development.
With local anhidrosis, it is important to avoid overheating the body, as well as regularly lubricate the affected areas of the skin with indifferent ointments, apply moisturizers on them.
To improve the condition of the skin, vitamin therapy is indicated. Usually, for this purpose, multivitamin preparations are prescribed, which include vitamins A (retinol) and B12.
Regular hydration and multivitamin complexes will help eliminate dry skin
The state of acute generalized anhidrosis is the basis for urgent hospitalization. In the hospital, the patient is prescribed an abundant drink, intravenous infusion of saline solutions, and physical cooling of the body.
Possible complications and consequences
The most common complications of anhidrosis are conditions associated with overheating of the body. These include:
- heat cramps;
- heat exhaustion;
- heatstroke.
A distinctive feature of heat seizures is their soreness and duration (greater than that of nocturnal seizures).
Signs of heat exhaustion are:
- tachycardia;
- nausea;
- severe general weakness.
Heatstroke develops in situations where the body temperature reaches high values (above 40 ° C). The patient needs emergency medical attention. In its absence, he has hallucinations, his consciousness is disturbed up to a coma. In some (difficult) cases, heatstroke can be fatal.
Forecast
With limited anhidrosis, which occurs against the background of certain dermatoses and a number of somatic diseases, the prognosis is favorable. However, if the causes of anhidrosis are not eliminated, then the disease can acquire a chronic course with frequent relapses.
Prevention
Prevention of the development of anhidrosis consists in the timely detection and treatment of systemic and skin diseases, adherence to the drinking regime, especially in hot weather.
In order to prevent exacerbations of chronic anhidrosis, patients are advised to stay in rooms with an optimal temperature and not engage in heavy physical labor.
Elena Minkina Doctor anesthesiologist-resuscitator About the author
Education: graduated from the Tashkent State Medical Institute, specializing in general medicine in 1991. Repeatedly passed refresher courses.
Work experience: anesthesiologist-resuscitator of the city maternity complex, resuscitator of the hemodialysis department.
The information is generalized and provided for informational purposes only. At the first sign of illness, see your doctor. Self-medication is hazardous to health!
