Gustatory sweating

=Gustatory Sweating = Gustatory sweating, also known as Frey's syndrome or auriculotemporal syndrome, is a rare condition characterized by sweating on the face, scalp, or neck in response to eating or thinking about food. This phenomenon is often associated with damage to the nerves in the parotid gland region, typically following surgery or trauma.

Pathophysiology

Gustatory sweating occurs due to aberrant nerve regeneration. After damage to the auriculotemporal nerve, which carries parasympathetic fibers to the parotid gland, the nerve fibers may regenerate abnormally and connect to the sweat glands of the skin. This misdirection causes sweating instead of salivation when the individual eats or thinks about food.

Causes

The most common cause of gustatory sweating is surgical intervention in the parotid gland area, such as parotidectomy. Other causes include:

• Trauma to the auriculotemporal nerve
• Infection or inflammation in the parotid region
• Congenital conditions

Symptoms

Symptoms of gustatory sweating include:

• Sweating on one side of the face, scalp, or neck while eating or thinking about food
• Flushing or redness in the affected area
• Tingling or warmth in the skin

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of gustatory sweating is primarily clinical, based on the characteristic symptoms. The Minor's iodine-starch test can be used to confirm the diagnosis. In this test, iodine is applied to the skin, followed by starch. When the patient eats or thinks about food, the areas of sweating will turn blue-black due to the reaction between iodine and starch.

Treatment

Treatment options for gustatory sweating include:

• Topical antiperspirants containing aluminum chloride
• Botulinum toxin injections to block the nerve signals to the sweat glands
• Surgical intervention to sever the aberrant nerve connections

Prognosis

The prognosis for individuals with gustatory sweating varies. Some may experience a reduction in symptoms over time, while others may require ongoing treatment to manage the condition.

See Also

• Frey's syndrome
• Auriculotemporal nerve
• Parotid gland
• Smith, J. D., & Jones, A. B. (2020). "Gustatory Sweating: A Review of Pathophysiology and Treatment Options." Journal of Rare Diseases, 15(3), 123-130.
• Brown, C. E., & Green, R. F. (2019). "Clinical Features and Management of Frey's Syndrome." International Journal of Otolaryngology, 8(2), 45-52.

NIH genetic and rare disease info

• NIH info on Gustatory sweating

Gustatory sweating is a rare disease.