Hyperidrosis (excessive sweating)

Hyperhidrosis is a condition characterized by abnormally increased sweating, which happens even if the person is not engaging in tasks that require muscular effort and does not depend on the exposure to heat.

Regular antiperspirants do not work well for those with this condition, and people affected by hyperhidrosis may sweat so much that it soaks through their clothes or drips off their hands.

Besides disrupting normal daily activities, this type of heavy sweating can cause anxiety and embarrassment and can deteriorate quality of life from a psychological, emotional, and social perspective.

Symptoms of hyperidrosis

Most people sweat when they exercise or exert themselves, are in a hot environment, or are anxious or under stress. Sweating is your body’s normal mechanism to cool itself when your body temperature rises.

But the excessive sweating experienced with hyperhidrosis far exceeds such normal sweating.

Hyperhidrosis can either be generalized or localized to specific parts of the body. Hands, feet, armpits, groin, and the facial area are among the most common places to sweat excessively, due to the high number of sweat glands.

Causes of excessive sweating

The most common form of hyperhidrosis is called primary hyperhidrosis. With this type, a person’s sweat glands become overactive, even though they haven’t been triggered by physical activity or a rise in temperature.

Secondary hyperhidrosis occurs when excess sweating is due to a medical condition, such as diabetes, thyroid problems, menopause etc.

The cause of primary hyperhidrosis is unknown. Anxiety or excitement can exacerbate the condition, while other factors can play a role, including certain foods and drinks, nicotine, caffeine, and smells.

Hyperhidrosis treatments and procedures

If an underlying medical condition is contributing to the problem, that condition will be treated first. If no clear cause can be found, treatment focuses on controlling excessive sweating.

There are several systemic, topical and even surgical treatments available for hyperhidrosis. From prescription antiperspirants, creams, antidepressants, nerve-blocking medications, to sweat gland removal and even nerve surgery.

Recently, a new procedure with the injectable neurotoxin Botulinum Toxin Type A has emerged as an effective option for treating primary hyperhidrosis.

Botulinum toxin for treating hyperhidrosis

Injections of botulinum toxin can provide longer-lasting results than topical treatments, without the necessity of invasive surgical procedures.

Injections are a safe, rapid, relatively durable, and effective way to treat symptomatic hyperhidrosis, and can be particularly effective for people who sweat excessively from their armpits. However, they may also be used to reduce sweating in other areas, such as the hands, feet, and face.

Here at Facial Sculpting, Dr Nina Bal offers an initial consultation to examine your case and discuss how to administer the botulinum toxin safely and for maximum results.

How does the procedure work

Botulinum toxin injections work by blocking the nerves responsible for activating the sweat glands, which in people with hyperhidrosis are abnormally overactive.

In other words, Botulinum toxin injections temporarily block the nerves that stimulate your sweat glands, stopping them from producing too much sweat.

The procedure is simple. Your doctor may give you something to prevent pain, like ice or a numbing agent applied up to one hour before the injections.

During the procedure, a very fine needle is used to inject tiny amounts of the neurotoxin just under the skin throughout the area of excessive sweating. Multiple injections are given based on your doctor’s assessment to form a grid pattern around the area that needs to be treated.

Results

Botulinum toxin injections are generally well tolerated by patients and the treatment is associated with a high satisfaction rate among patients. For many people, it drastically improves their quality of life.

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.

You can return to work immediately after injections, and it is recommended that you follow-up in 1 to 2 weeks, so that your doctor can check and touch up any missed spots to ensure that you are getting the treatment’s full benefit.

The effects of botulinum toxin last for six to nine months on average, as the nerves regenerate. Over time, however, patients can go longer between treatments.

Possible side-effects

While treatment with botulinum toxin injections is not recommended for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or for people with a history of neuromuscular disorders, most people tolerate it well. Serious side effects are extremely rare, while mild possible side effects include:

• pain or bruising at the injection site
• headache
• flu-like symptoms
• droopy eyelid (for facial injections)
• eye dryness or tearing (for facial injections)

However, the injection technique requires skill, so patients should always seek advice from an experienced practitioner.

Dr Nina requires a full consultation with the patient to evaluate each single case and devise a tailored treatment plan. Book a professional face to face consultation to find out more.