What are the chances I will pass Hyperhidrosis On To My Children?
Hyperhidrosis is a genetic disorder. More than 50% of the patients who have this condition, have a family history of hyperhidrosis. In those cases where family history is not known, it does not mean that it did not exist in a previous generation (patient did not experience it or see a doctor about it). Hyperhidrosis can skip generations as well.
Also, genetic disorders can also start at any point in a family line. This means that a certain illness can start in a person without there being a family history of it. Not all genes have the same power of transmittance. The gene that affects hyperhidrosis is not a dominant one. Not all children (descendants) will be affected.
The penetration rate is only 25%. So, for example, if you have 4 children then only one is likely to get it. That being said, it does not mean that more children won’t be affected. There is still a lot to be learned about genetic side of hyperhidrosis. Dr. Reisfeld has had cases where identical twins came into his office and only one of the identical twins had hyperhidrosis.
The location of the gene was established a few years back, but knowing the location of the gene has not yet given any therapeutic modality. Hopefully, with the research being done on the human genome, some solutions may be found.
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