What Is Hyperhidrosis?
Hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating, is a common disorder that produces a lot of unhappiness. An estimated 2%-3% of Americans suffer from excessive sweating of the underarms (axillary hyperhidrosis) or of the palms and soles of the feet (palmoplantar hyperhidrosis). Underarm problems tend to start in late adolescence, while palm and sole sweating often begins earlier, around age 13 (on average). Untreated, these problems may continue throughout life.
“Excessive sweating can significantly affect a person’s life,”. “It can be embarrassing and socially isolating, and many people find the condition quite upsetting.”
What Causes Excessive Sweating?
Although neurologic, endocrine, infectious, and other systemic diseases can sometimes cause hyperhidrosis, most cases occur in people who are otherwise healthy. Heat and emotions may trigger hyperhidrosis in some, but many who suffer from hyperhidrosis sweat nearly all their waking hours, regardless of their mood or the weather.
What is the Treatment for Excessive Sweating?
Through a systematic evaluation of causes and triggers of hyperhidrosis, followed by a judicious, stepwise approach to treatment, many people with this annoying disorder can sometimes achieve good results and improved quality of life.
Botox for Excessive Sweating
Botox often associated with cosmetic wrinkle reduction—is also a particularly effective treatment for focal hyperhidrosis. Botox for excessive sweating uses botulinum toxin to block the nerve signals responsible for sweating, stopping the sweat glands from producing too much sweat. Retreatment is typically needed in four to six months, as the nerves regenerate. Over time, however, patients can go longer between treatments.
The procedure is simple. Numbing cream is applied to the treatment area up to one hour before the injections. The physician will clean the affected area and make many injections with a very tiny needle. Bruising, swelling, or tenderness is possible after the procedure but is generally minor. Patients typically start seeing results in five days, with full results after two weeks.
“Botox has been a revolutionary treatment for hyperhidrosis: it has helped improve the quality of life for many patients,”. “It’s a great treatment, it works well, and patients are really happy with the results.”
