What
is Hyperhidrosis?
Hyperhidrosis means excessive sweating. Sweating
is one of the most important ways in which the
body loses heat, however, people with hyperhidrosis
produce sweat in amounts far greater than needed
to control their temperature.
There are two main types of hyperhidrosis:
• Focal hyperhidrosis is the more common
type involving excessive sweating on the feet,
hands and in about 30 – 40% of cases, the
armpits. Botox can be recommended for the treatment
of focal hyperhidrosis affecting the armpits (axillary
hyperhidrosis) when other treatments have not
worked.
• Generalized hyperhidrosis affects the
whole body. It is much less common and is usually
caused by another illness such as an infection,
diabetes or when the thyroid gland is overactive.
The excessive sweating usually stops when the
illness is treated.
How
common is Hyperhidrosis?
It has been estimated that up to 1% of the population
has some form of hyperhidrosis. It usually starts
during the teens and twenties.
What are the
causes of hyperhidrosis?
It’s not known why some people are affected
and others are not. About one-third to one-half
of people with hyperhidrosis have a relative with
a similar problem, suggesting that there maybe a
genetic cause.
Hyperhidrosis is caused by over activity of one
type of sweat gland, the eccrine gland. These glands
are found virtually all over the body surface but
they are concentrated on the palms of the hands,
the soles of the feet and in the armpits.
Many things can trigger normal sweating and this
is also true for hyperhidrosis – it’s
just the amount of sweating that varies.
Examples of triggers include:
• exercise
• heat or cold
• alcohol, coffee or tea, smoking, hot or
spicy food
• stress, anxiety or strong emotions
• certain times of the day
People with hyperhidrosis can produce a large volume
of sweat. This means that the hands, feet, chest
or armpits (depending on which part of the body
is affected) may be constantly damp. This may make
normal everyday activities more difficult to carry
out and it can cause embarrassment at work or socially.
However, it is not true that hyperhidrosis cause’s
body odor the smell that some people think is due
to sweating is in fact caused by bacteria if sweat
remains there for a long time.
What can I do about hyperhidrosis?
Simple self help measures you can take include:
• Choose clothing that will keep you cool.
Natural fibres are cool but they absorb sweat and
can remain damp, some synthetic fibres are warm
but they draw sweat away from the body and feel
dry. Consider having a change of clothing available
during the day.
• Keep your work environment cool and well
aired.
• Avoid the food and drinks that trigger sweating.
These will be different for everyone but you will
probably know what causes problems for you.
• Reduce stress, tension and anxiety. These
are common problems for everyone, though people
with hyperhidrosis have the extra difficulties of
coping with sweating. Think abut how you can reduce
stress during the day, plan your activities carefully
and make time to relax.
• Pay attention to your personal hygiene.
Odor can be reduced by taking frequent showers.
Although this will not be convenient for people
who constantly sweat it is an effective and simple
measure to take.
What
is Botox and how does it work?
Botox is a treatment given by injection into the
skin. It is used for the treatment of underarm excessive
sweating (auxiliary hyperhidrosis) and it has been
used for many years to treat muscle spasm affecting
the eyes, face and neck. Botox is also used to relieve
muscle spasm in children with cerebral palsy.
Botox is a very pure preparation of a protein, botulinum
toxin type A. When small doses are injected into
the skin, Botox blocks the actions of the nerves
that supply the eccrine glands, this prevents the
glands from producing sweat. The effects of treatment
last for several months but eventually they will
wear off.
What happens
during treatment?
Using a very fine needle, your doctor will inject
a small amount of a solution of Botox into 10 to
15 places about 1cm apart and spread evenly in each
armpit. Sometimes a dye is used to show up the areas
where sweating is greatest and where the injections
should be placed. A course of treatment takes about
30 minutes.
How
quickly does it work and how long will the effects
last?
You should notice some change for the better within
a week of your treatment.
Different people have different responses to treatment.
In a clinical trial, sweat production was reduced
by 83% one week after treatment. Furthermore, sweating
was reduced by at least half in 95% of patients.
Your next treatment can be given when the effects
of the first course wear off, this usually happens
after 4 to 7 months.
Your doctor will advise you about when to return
for further treatment.
I'm interested
- what do I do next?
Contact us at 888-393-8880 to schedule a complimentary
consultation. During the appointment you can talk
with our trained staff about Excessive Sweating
and even have the treatment the same day!
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