Hand sweat may occur independently or in combination with sweating of the armpits, face and scalp, or feet. Facial blush may also be present. This condition causes severe dripping sweat from the armpits. Excessive sweating of the feet is the result of over-stimulation of the sweat glands in the feet by the sympathetic nervous system.
Facial blush is caused by overstimulation of the sympathetic nervous system.
Unlike hyperhidrosis involving the hands, face and scalp, and armpits, the sympathetic nerve fibers that stimulate sweating of the feet arise from both the thoracic and lumbar sympathetic nerve chains. However, to ensure complete elimination of pedal sweating, it is necessary that the lumbar nerves also be disconnected. If a lumbar sympathectomy is done in conjunction with ETS, it may lead to postural hypotension, i.e. the blood pressure may drop when the patient stands, and the patient may faint. Again, men should NOT have this performed, and women should be forewarned of the potential side effect of postural hypotension. All rights reserved.