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Hyperhidrosis

Hyperhidrosis

Hyperhidrosis- excessive sweating I treat with Botox injections

Sweating is a normal and totally natural function in which the body regulates its temperature. However people with hyperhidrosis produce sweat in amounts far greater than needed to control their temperature.

What is hyperhidrosis?

Excessive sweating or Hyperhidrosis is a genetic condition and is found in about 1% of the population. Hyperhidrosis usually starts during teens to early twenties and is when the body is normal temperature regulation process goes awry.

It causes excessive sweating, mostly from the underarms, hands or feet which results in moisture lying on the surface of the skin instead of evaporating as it normally would. The majority of people suffer from moderate hyperhidrosis at some point in their lives and it affects men and women, all races and every age group.

Excessive sweating can occur at any time, while you are in a cold room, while you are calm, restful and without any stress or anxiety. Most sufferers do find the problem distressing and this may worsen their condition.

This may make normal everyday activities more difficult to carry out and it can cause embarrassment at work.

However it is not true that hyperhidrosis causes body odour.

The causes of hyperhidrosis

Many things can trigger excessive sweating and this is also true of hyperhidrosis - it is just the amount of sweating that varies. Triggers can include: 

  • Exercise
  • Heat or cold 
  • Alcohol, coffee or tea, smoking, hot or spicy food 
  • Stress, anxiety or emotions
  • Certain times of the day

The need to wash or shower more frequently. Although this is not always convenient it is an effective and simple measure to take.

The treatment

  • Topical local anaesthetic is applied to the area for  20 minutes prior to the treatment for your comfort.
  • Using a very fine needle, a tiny amount of Botox(R) solution is injected into the skin in about 10 to 15 sites spaced about 1cm apart.
  • Treatment causes only mild discomfort and normally takes about 30 - 45 minutes. It is uncommon for pain relief to be required following the treatment. 

When does it start to work, and how long does it last?

  • You should  notice some change between 7 - 14 days of your treatment. 
  • Treatment totally blocks the nerve endings for about 6 - 12 weeks before new nerve endings grow to replace them.
  • Your next treatment can be given when the effects wear off. This usually happens after 9 - 12 months. 

Possible side effects

  • In clinical trials a small number of patients experienced increased sweating in other parts of the body.
  • Although the injection is given into the skin it is possible that a small amount may spread into the nerves supplying the muscles. In clinical trials about 0.7% of patients reported a slight weakness in the arm when the armpit was treated. This did not last and got better without intervention.
  • As with any injection, there may be slight discomfort at the injection site and a small amount of bruising in the area treated.