Hyperhidrosis
What is Hyperhidrosis?
Hyperhidrosis is the medical term for frequent or excessive sweating. Sweating is the body’s natural cooling mechanism, but when the body produces more sweat than is necessary to cool the body, this is known as hyperhidrosis. Excessive sweating is most common on the forehead, palms of the hands, the soles of the feet and the underarms.
Excessive sweating can profoundly affect self-consciousness and be a seriously embarrassing condition. When severe sweating interferes with daily activities, it can cause emotional and psychological upset, especially when it is sweating from the underarms. It is estimated that up to 5% of the population suffers from some form of hyperhidrosis during their lives.
Please get in touch to book a Hyperhidrosis treatment at our luxury skin and aesthetics clinic in Bishops Waltham.
What causes Excessive Sweating?
Sweating is the body's mechanism to cool itself. The nervous system automatically triggers sweat glands when your body temperature rises. Sweating also occurs, especially on your palms, when you're nervous. Hyperhidrosis occurs when the body produces excessive sweat when it is not required.
There are two main types of hyperhidrosis:
Primary hyperhidrosis is caused by faulty nerve signals that trigger eccrine sweat glands to become overactive. It usually affects the palms, soles, underarms and sometimes the face. The exact cause of primary hyperhidrosis is unknown, however it is usually hereditary.
Secondary hyperhidrosis is caused by an underlying medical condition or by taking certain medications, such as pain relievers, antidepressants, and some diabetes and hormonal medications. 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
Parkinson’s disease
Symptoms are often exacerbated with heat and hot weather, anxiety and stress, alcohol and spicy food and for some it can even affect relationships and their social diary. Excessive sweating or hyperhidrosis can affect the whole body, not just the armpits and there are things you can do to improve the condition such as; wearing loose clothing and natural fibres, swapping your antiperspirant to a stronger variant, using absorptive foot powders and avoiding alcohol. However, if you feel that these tips aren’t doing the job sufficiently, there is a solution.
What is the treatment for Hyperhidrosis?
A common treatment for Hyperhidrosis is the injection of Botulinum toxin into the affected area. Botulinum toxin, also known as anti-wrinkle injections or 'Botox’, is an FDA-approved muscle relaxant medication used in the UK for years to help patients suffering from excessive sweating. Botulinum toxin is injected into the sweat glands, temporarily blocking the chemical signals from the nerves that stimulate them. When the sweat glands do not receive chemical signals, the severe sweating settles. Its a very quick and safe procedure that is virtually painless. Patients describe the treatment as being life changing, with most people experiencing an up to an 80% reduction in sweat.
FAQs
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Two types of hyperhidrosis exist:
Primary hyperhidrosis: usually inherited and so check with your family to see if they suffer from it.
Secondary hyperhidrosis: caused by behaviours (e.g. alcoholism), responses (e.g. neurologic responses such as anxiety), a condition (e.g. gout, obesity, menpause), or perhaps medications
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For anti-wrinkle injections armpit treatment please arrive to your appointment with shaved underarms (both males and females) and wearing a dark coloured loose fitting top. You will need to expose the area for treatment so a vest or sleeveless top is recommended. Deodorant can be worn to the appointment but will be removed by your practitioner prior to anti-wrinkle injections injections.
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Anti-wrinkle injections treatment for hyperhidrosis effectively targets excessive sweating by blocking the nerve signals that activate sweat glands. This condition, known as hyperhidrosis, causes uncontrollable perspiration in specific areas of the body, such as the armpits, palms, or feet. By injecting anti-wrinkle injections into these areas, the nerve signals responsible for sweating are disrupted, preventing the glands from becoming active. The treatment is safe and generally well-tolerated, with minor potential side effects. Within just a few days after the procedure, patients can experience a significant reduction in sweating.
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You will start noticing a reduction in sweating within 7 days of treatment.
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This varies between patients, but results usually last between 6-9 months before you need a top up appointment.
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It is firstly important to investigate why you are experiencing excessive sweating as it may be an indication of an underlying condition – so we recommend you see your GP when you first develop symptoms and they can determine the cause of your excessive sweating.
This treatment is not suitable if you are
• Pregnant
• Breastfeeding
• Allergic to any of the ingredients in anti-wrinkle injections
• Living with a neuromuscular disorder (such as myasthenia gravis)
We will not inject anti-wrinkle injections for treating hyperhidrosis if there is an infection at the injection site.
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The treatment is quick and comfortable and appointments are generally no longer than 30 minutes.
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Using anti-wrinkle injections injections to treat hyperhidrosis is a safe, well-established procedure with minimal risk. Common side effects of injecting anti-wrinkle injections include bruising and swelling at the injection site, but these are temporary and should disappear within 48 hours of the procedure.
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Avoid tight fitting clothing over the area and avoid white T-shirts or tops immediately after treatment as there may be marks from the treatment which can stain clothing. Avoid consuming alcohol or taking aspirin, or Ibuprofen in the 24 hours before or after your treatment. You should avoid applying deodorant on the day of treatment or after for up to 12 hours. You should avoid hot bath or shower for 12 hours after treatment.
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Multiple injections are made in the treatment area with a sharp needle so you will feel a slight scratch but overall the treatment is very comfortable and not at all painful.
Numbing cream can be used on request.