Excessive Sweating Treatment: What to Do About Hyperhidrosis
We’ve all been there: it’s right before your first date, a big performance, or an interview, and you find yourself sweating out of nervousness.
Some nervous sweat is normal, as well as the sweat our body uses to cool us off during physical activity. But for certain people, sweat is an almost constant part of life, even when there’s no apparent trigger for it.
Excessive sweating, also known as hyperhidrosis, can act as a social deterrent in our lives. Someone with sweaty palms might become self-conscious enough to avoid handshakes.
Likewise, some patients seek treatment due to the social embarrassment they feel from their armpit stains, or the permanent stain perspiration leaves behind on their clothing.
If you’re frustrated with your condition and ready to seek excessive sweating treatment, or if you’re fed up with your hyperhidrosis medication or prescription deodorant, it might be time to seek a long-term solution.
About Hyperhidrosis
Hyperhidrosis is a condition in which the body sweats more than it has to in order to regulate body temperature. The severity of this condition is based on how much it interferes with your daily activities.
This condition comes in several forms. The two most common are sweating of the palms (also known as palmar hyperhidrosis) or sweating under the arms (also known as axillary hyperhidrosis).
Typical sweat may be triggered by certain conditions, like hot weather, physical activity, stress or anxiety, or strong emotional responses. However, with hyperhidrosis, you may see excessive sweating during these times, or you might begin sweating for no apparent reason.
Hyperhidrosis Treatment
If your sweating doesn’t improve with other treatments, and if prescription medication doesn’t help, you may be a candidate for a stronger excessive sweating treatment.
Though muscle relaxants like Botox are best known for their use in cosmetic procedures, they can also be used as an effective excessive sweating treatment. This is true for the hands and palms, as well as for sweaty armpits.
During a hyperhidrosis treatment procedure, patients receive a numbing cream or injection, as well as ice. Next, we will apply between 25 to 75 units of a muscle relaxant, typically Botox or its equivalent in Dysport.
This muscle relaxant works to temporarily block the nerves that are responsible for activating your sweat glands, causing the excessive sweating. Essentially, it temporarily paralyzes your overactive nerves, ensuring that no signals are directed to your sweat glands. This is why you don’t sweat in the place of the injection.
In general, the procedure takes only about ten minutes. Results become noticeable after roughly one week and last for up to six months, though individual results will vary.
Botox and similar muscle relaxants can be a great excessive sweating treatment, for the right candidate. Reach out to us for more information about the procedure, or to see if this option is right for you.
Excessive Sweating Treatment FAQs
What age can you get Botox for hyperhidrosis?
Botox has been used for medicinal purposes such as dystonia in children over 12 years of age with good outcomes. While the FDA only approved adults for hyperhidrosis, some severe cases can be treated in those who are younger.
Where to inject Botox for hyperhidrosis?
Usually, the entire surface area of the intended body part that contains sweat glands should be addressed and injected with Botox to stop sweating. The spacing between the injection sites depends on the reconstituted concentration of the Botox being used. If it’s more dilute, it can spread more and hence will need fewer pokes. If it’s more concentrated, more pokes are required to reach all areas. The spacing is usually about ½ to 1.5 cm apart.
What is the best treatment for hyperhidrosis?
Where do you put Botox for hyperhidrosis?
Botox needs to be injected directly into the area of hyperhidrosis to be effective. These usually include the underarms, hands, forehead, soles of feet, and even scalp.
How much does Botox for hyperhidrosis cost?
Does Botox work for hyperhidrosis?
Botox relaxes the muscles of the glands that form and push out sweat. By relaxing these muscles, less sweat is produced, resulting in an improvement of hyperhidrosis regardless of the area of treatment.
How painful is Botox in hands?
Hands are sensitive and Botox injections can be tender. At our office, we use ice rollers and nerve blocks to make the procedure more comfortable. We also have a Zimmer machine which blows cryo temperatures of cold air and further reduces the sensation of the pokes entering the skin. This machine has also been helpful for our other tender procedures such as the Morpheus 8.
What are the side effects of Botox for sweating hands?
Botox can reduce the strength of muscles in the hands when used for a long time. Hence, we advise regular hand exercises to offset this side effect.
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