A common disorder which produces a lot of unhappiness. Usually a small number of people suffer from excessive sweating of the underarms (axillary hyperhidrosis) or of the palms and soles of the feet (palmoplantar hyperhidrosis).

Underarm problems tend to start in late adolescence, while palm and sole sweating often begins earlier, around the age of thirteen (on the average). Untreated, these problems may continue throughout life.

Excessive sweating is embarrassing because it stains clothes, ruins romance, and complicates business, and social interactions.

Severe cases can have serious practical consequences as well, making it hard for people who suffer from it to hold a pen, grip a car steering wheel, or even to shake hands.