Anidrosis

A disorder of the function of the sweat-glands, characterized by deficiency or absence of perspiration.

It is either idiopathic or symptomatic, general or confined to a location, and derived from ancestors or acquired in life from such predisposition, and may or may not be permanent.

This functional disorder of the skin is found apparently alone, unaccompanied by any other disturbance of health, in which case it is known as idiopathic. A typical case is the instance of a person who perspires but little, or apparently not at all, under conditions which would naturally provoke or accelerate the secretion of sweat, were the glands in their normal condition, as when no effect results from moist or dry heat, or diaphoretics. The skin is dry and harsh to the touch, such as seen in cases of ichthyosis or xeroderma.



The symptomatic is the more common form, and is often found associated with other cutaneous or general diseases or nervous disorders, and accompanied by general debility and impaired nutrition. There is the same dry, rough skin as in the idiopathic form, and the patient feels a tightness of the skin, with an itching sensation. This condition is general, as in diabetes; or local, as in nervous disorders like certain forms of neuralgia and paralysis; and it may be temporary, as in fevers, eczema, and psoriasis; or permanent, as in diabetes and tuberculosis.


Etiology :- Idiopathic anidrosis may be ascribed to a faulty development of, or defect in, the sweat-glands from hereditary, congenital, or other causes, as shown in the ichthyotic, xerodermic, and paralytic conditions, the otherwise general good health remaining unaffected. Symptomatic anidrosis, on the other hand, may be ascribed to functional torpor resulting in deficient secretion without structural defects in the sweat-glands, as found in cases of eczema, psoriasis, diabetes, and phthisis.