It is estimated that approximately 1% of adults suffer from excessive sweating. Hyperhydrosis is the medical term given to the condition commonly referred to as excessive sweating. The most common type of hyperhydrosis is palmar hyperhydrosis or excessive sweating of the hands. Other types include axillary hyperhydrosis, or excessive sweating of the underarms and plantar hyperhydrosis, or excessive sweating of the feet.
Severe underarm sweating can interfere with every aspect of your daily life. It is a condition that causes patients a great deal of embarrassment and discomfort. Many patients find themselveschanging clothes multiple times a day from constant sweating. In addition, excessive sweating on the palms of the hands can make people feel self conscious in social settings.
The newest, least invasive and most effective option for patients suffering from hyperhydrosis is Botox® therapy. This medicine acts by temporarily blocking the chemical signals from the nerves that stimulate the sweat glands. When the sweat glands don’t receive chemical signals, the severe sweating stops. The injections are expected to prevent the patients from sweating in the treated area for about six months. Many patients are worried that other parts of their body will start perspiring excessively because of the decrease in perspiring in the treated area. This, however, should not be a concern because the effects of Botox® are strictly local. Since only small surface areas are treated, the rest of the skin on the arms, legs, torso and face sweat as before.
The smallest dose of Botox® that proves effective should be given, no more than what is needed. Injection therapy should be every 6 months. Patients should also be conscious of the price of the injections and know that they are usually not covered by insurance companies.
The most common areas of treatment include: the palms, the soles of the feet, and the underarms. During treatment, each side will take twelve to fifteen injections. A total Botox dose of 100 units is standard therapy to treat both sides. This procedure is very safe because there is no anesthesia. There are, in most cases, no side effects that the patient experiences following the procedure. Patients may participate in any routine activity immediately after treatment.
Ninety-five percent of the sweating will decrease within the first 48-hours and it will take up to one week to reach its full effect. Once the Botox® has reached its full effect, it should last for between five and six months.