Excessive sweating occurs when sweat glands are overactive. This is medically known as hyperhidrosis. This, at times debilitating condition, can be embarrassing and is uncomfortable. It causes increased wear and tear and staining on clothes and can interfere in social activities, limiting type and colour of clothing used to disguise wet patches, which may be more obvious on some uniforms. It can cause a reluctance to form relationships.
It is a common condition and can affect underarms, hands and feet. There may be an inherited tendency.
Hyoerhidrosis can now be treated using botulinum toxin. This prescription only medicine gets into the sweat gland and temporarily blocks the chemical that signals the production of perspiration. Using very small, fine needles, botulinum toxin can be injected superficially into the armpit in a grid pattern. It is a quick procedure taking 15-20 minutes and is usually well tolerated. It may take a few weeks to get peak effect, then it lasts on average 6-7 months. Apart from a short-lived stinging sensation, there is usually no downtime.
Treatment on the hands and feet does require local anaesthesia and can produce some swelling and bruising and a slight weakness in the muscles temporarily. Contact our clinic if there are any concerns.
