Excessive Sweating or Hyperhidrosis
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 is recommended for the treatment of
focal hyperhidrosis affecting the armpits (axillary
hyperhidrosis) when other treatments have not worked.
- Generalised 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 1/3 to ½ 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 odour 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. Odour 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
recommended for the treatment of 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. Botox blocks the
nerve endings but over about 6-12 weeks new nerve endings grow
to replace them. This means that 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. For a FREE no obligation consultation simply call
01491 873 989
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