Excessive Sweating Therapy
What is Hyperhidrosis?
Hyperhidrosis is a disorder that makes people sweat excessively. Approximately 5% of the population is affected and usually occurs in the axillae, palms or soles. Normally, the body produces sweat in order to keep its temperature at a healthy level. Sometimes, for reasons scientists don’t yet understand, the nerves controlling the sweat glands become overactive. The result is hyperhidrosis.
How can you treat Hyperhidrosis?
The treatment of primary focal hyperhidrosis starts with topical antiperspirants, such as application of aluminum chloride, but if this is too irritating or not successful, there are other options. BOTOX® is an effective way to treat excessive sweating. In one study of excessive underarm sweating, 95% of patients responded to the treatment with an average reduction in sweating of 83% in one week. Plus, the effect is long lasting. On average, each treatment will effectively reduce sweating for seven months.
BOTOX® is the only prescription medicine approved by Health Canada for the treatment of axiliary hyperhidrosis-which means it is deemed safe and effective when used correctly by a specially trained physician.
Other options include oral medications, such as oral anticholinergics can be used, but use is limited by systemic side effects. Surgical options include excision of the sweat glands or sympathectomy (severing the nerves to the sweat glands). For palms and soles, tap water iontophoresis is another option.
How does BOTOX® work?
BOTOX® works by blocking the chemical signal from the nerve to the target tissue, which in the case of hyperhidrosis is the sweat gland. As the overactive nerve no longer stimulates the sweat gland, the sweating stops. You should notice a significant reduction of sweating in the treated areas within a week of your treatment.
Treated Areas
- Underarms
- Hands
- Feet