Hyperhidrosis

Hyperhidrosis, also known as excessive sweating, is an exaggerated response of the sweat glands in situations that may or may not include exercise, heat, stress, or medication. Faulty nerve signals trigger the eccrine sweat glands causing them to respond in overdrive! In some cases, excessive sweating may indicate underlying health conditions. If there are no underlying conditions, hyperhidrosis can become very embarrassing for both men and women.

Botox can be used to treat hyperhidrosis resulting in a reduction of sweat by 80 – 90%. This is an almost painless treatment that greatly improves the life and confidence of individuals suffering from hyperhidrosis.

Causes

Everyone knows the causes of sweating, exercise, strenuous activities, stress, illness, and heat. Sweating is often good, cooling down our bodies.

Individuals with hyperhidrosis sweat three to four times more than the average person. This condition which is triggered by an overactive nervous system may be a hereditary trait.

This condition is often first noticed during adolescence and affects 2 – 3% of the population.

The areas of the body most affected by hyperhidrosis are the hands, feet, underarms, and craniofacial region. Underarm sweat can be especially awkward in business situations or intimate settings. Fortunately, this area is the easiest area to treat.

Signs and symptoms

The most pronounced symptoms are excessive wetness of hands, underarm sweat that cannot be managed by antiperspirants, wet or damp hair caused by sweat, and excessively wet feet and socks. This sweat occurs outside of normal causes of sweat and, when involved in normal causes of sweat (exercise, strenuous activity, illness, stress, or heat) the sweat generated is three to four times more than other individuals that may be involved in the same activity or environment.

Hyperhidrosis is caused by an underlying medical condition or by taking certain medications, such as pain relievers, antidepressants, and some diabetes and hormonal medications is known as secondary hyperhidrosis. This type of hyperhidrosis may cause sweating all over the body. Conditions that might cause it include:

• Diabetes
• Menopause hot flashes
• Thyroid problems
• Some types of cancer
• Nervous system disorders
• Infections

Treatment

The injection of Botox into the skin under the arms (axillae) significantly reduces the amount of sweat produced in 80-90% of people treated. In hyperhidrosis, the nerves trigger your sweat gland to constantly excrete. Botox injections block those nerves from sending any signals. The activation message that those nerves would typically transmit to your sweat glands never gets delivered.

What to expect from treatment

Most clients find the Botox injections to be manageable. Ten to twelve injections are placed in each armpit.

Most clients experience a reduction in sweat with in two to three days and find that by two weeks optimal results are achieved.

Post care

Aftercare is minimal, exercise and strenuous activities should be avoided for two to three days, but all other normal activities can be resumed immediately after treatment.

Results

Initial results are noted within two to three days, and optimal results are achieved by two weeks. The treatment lasts up to two years.