Epidemiology

The estimated prevalence of hyperhidrosis ranges from 2% to 16% globally. This may be due to differences in methodology, diagnostic criteria, demographics, or geography.[1][2][3] The estimated the prevalence of hyperhidrosis in the US ranges from 2.8% to 4.8%, with approximately half of these people having the axillary variety.[1][3] One study in Vancouver and Shanghai reported a significantly higher prevalence of axillary hyperhidrosis in white people; there was a higher prevalence of palmar and generalised or facial hyperhidrosis in Southeast Asian people, but the difference was not significant.[2] Approximately 50% of patients with palmar hyperhidrosis have a family history of the disorder.[4][5] There is no obvious sex predisposition.[1][6]

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