For those people living with hyperhidrosis (also known as ‘excessive sweating’), life – particularly in the heat of the summer – can be both stressful and embarrassing, significantly impacting on a person’s self-esteem.
According to the NHS website, most people produce about a litre of sweat each day, but people with hyperhidrosis – approximately 2-3% of the population – can produce 10 times as much! As well as causing feelings of discomfort and embarrassment in the sufferer, the financial impact of hyperhidrosis can be significant thanks to frequent visits to the laundry or Dry Cleaners, and having to replace clothes that have become permanently stained or have even started to break down and deteriorate because of the chemicals found in sweat.
There are a number of useful tips out there for sufferers of hyperhidrosis, designed to help make their lives a little more comfortable. The website www.hyperhidrosisuk.org lists several:
- Try using an Anti-Perspirant which contains Aluminium Oxide
- Consider wearing disposable sweat pads under your clothing
- Wear loose fitting clothes made from natural fibres – for example, 100% silk, cotton, linen or wool – as these are more ‘breathable’ than their synthetic relatives. Black or white coloured clothing also tends to show sweat stains less than other colours.
Other common guidance for Hyperhidrosis sufferers involves avoiding potential triggers that you know make your condition worse – triggers such as spicy foods, hot drinks or particularly stressful situations (which you may or may not be able to avoid).
Surgery is also an option for some people with this condition, although this should only be considered as a last resort following careful and sustained attempts at the lifestyle changes listed above. Surgery is an extremely invasive treatment route to follow, and there are potential risks associated with it – not least the permanent scars you will be left with and the prolonged recovery times associated with surgical intervention.
Many people are unaware that Botox ® can be used as part of an ongoing condition management plan for Hyperhidrosis, if the lifestyle changes listed above have not helped to reduce the impact of this condition on a patient’s life to an acceptable level. Botox ®, or Botulinum Toxin, works to treat Hyperhidrosis by temporarily blocking the nerve endings in your skin that respond to the chemical message your body sends to turn sweat ‘on’. This block tends to last for between 4 months and a year, during which time new nerve endings are produced in the affected area and the effects of the toxin gradually reduce, leading to a gradual return to the previous levels of sweating experienced by the patient.
In terms of measuring the success of the use of Botox ® in treating Hyperhidrosis, one clinical study cited on my FAQ’s page (https://www.ab-med.co.uk/faq/) reported that 81% of patients who received Botulinum Toxin (Botox) injections achieved a greater than 50% reduction in excessive sweating, though the results did vary from patient to patient.
As with any treatment, there is a small risk of the patient experiencing certain side effects following treatment with Botox® for Hyperhidrosis. The NHS website lists the following potential side effects:
- Pain, redness or itching where the injections are given
- Nausea, headaches and hot flushes after the injections are given
- Another part of your body sweating more to make up for treated area – known as ‘compensatory sweating’
- Muscle weakness around the treatment area
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Hyperhidrosis/Pages/treatment.aspx
Treating Hyperhidrosis with Botox ® isn’t suitable for everyone, but if you come to Appearance Based Medicine to learn more about this procedure, we will discuss whether it is right for you at your free initial consultation, once I have found out more about your unique Medical History. If this treatment is appropriate for you and you would like to pursue this option, I will develop a tailored treatment plan to meet your specific needs. So if you are feeling the heat this summer, and looking for an effective treatment for your Excessive Sweating, get in contact today by phoning 0800 8766322 or 01628 303020.
We look forward to hearing from you!
