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Excessive Sweating

Stop the embarrassment, hassle and expense of excessive sweating.

For excessive underarm sweating the easiest treatment is Botox. A single $1075 treatment to both underarms will reduce sweat production by an average of 83.5% and last on average for 7.5 months.

Excessive sweating or hyperhidrosis can affect the armpits, palms, feet and sometimes the face or trunk. The body’s sweat glands produce sweat in response to nerve signals. Why some people react excessively is not known. High temperatures, spicey food, and stress all trigger sweat production. For the 1% of the population affected by hyperhidrosis the triggers cause excessive sweating.

Hyperhidrosis causes social embarrassment. Hundreds of years ago when everyone worked outside and noone washed excessive sweating wasn’t such a problem but with modern city living it can rule people’s lives. Sufferers avoid the social situations that provoke sweating. This leads to social isolation and limits career prospects.

The damage to and appearance of wet patches on clothes can be helped by sticking to dark colours and wearing loose fitting clothes. Dark trousers can be helpful for wiping sweaty hands. Shoe insoles help to absorb sweat and makes shoes less slippery. Rotating shoes one day on one day off will give them a rest.

Frequent washing and the use of cornstarch baby powder (use where skin touches skin) can help to control the aroma and staining of clothes.

TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR SWEATING

1. Antiperspirants - High strength antiperspirants such as Hidrosol are available at chemists or the new Mitchum range from the USA is a little stronger than what we are used to in NZ and can be quite effective. They contain a higher concentration of Aluminium salts than usual antiperspirants. Aluminium salts bind dead skin cells to form plugs which block the sweat pores. They are best applied to dry skin after a shower. The higher concentration products may irritate the skin. There is a limit to how much they can help.
   
   
2. Oral Drugs - These are available from a doctor. Oxybutinin, Beta blockers, Diltiazem and propantheline can reduce sweat production. They have side effects especially dry mouth.
   
   
3. Iontophoresis - This treatment involves a mild electric current passed through water applied to the skin. Regular treatments are necessary. A full size machine is available at the hospital dermatology clinic. A home unit can be bought on the internet from the USA at www.drionic.com.
   
   
4. Surgery - There are two types of surgery used to treat hyperhidrosis:
   • Currettage involves cutting and scraping away the sweat glands. This leaves a large wound which then needs a skin graft or heals with a large scar.
   • Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy is more commonly performed. It involves telescopic surgery to cut the nerves inside the chest which control sweating. This is done through a number of small incisions made between the ribs. It works extremely well for palmar sweating, less so for the armpits where not everyone gets excellent results. Compensatory sweating (new areas of excessive sweating occurring in new body areas) can occur in about 30% of patients. Few are done in the public system. In private the operation costs about $8500 and means a two day hospital stay.
     
     
5. Botox® - Botox® is a purified form of Botulinium toxin. It has been used since the mid 90s to treat overactive muscles to reduce muscle spasm and soften facial wrinkles. It weakens muscles temporarily by blocking the nerve signal that makes them contract. The effects on muscles last for about 3 to 5 months. Botox® also blocks the nerve signal which causes sweat production because this signal is identical to the signal which causes muscle contraction. When injected into the skin it can be used to reduce excessive sweating.
   
   

Medical studies show that the average reduction in sweating has been shown to be 83.5%. The effects last an average of 7.5 months. Sweating slowly increases again and eventually the treatment will need to be repeated. So Botox tends to normalise sweating not abolish it and the effects wear off over time.

However, in one long term study 28% of patients were still happy 16 months after one treatment. In our experience our worst result occurred in one woman who felt sweating return after two months and our best result was in a male chef whose results lasted three years. One important bonus of treatment is that patients develop a trust in how Botox is normalising their sweaty area. Because they become less anxious that they will sweat, they sweat less.

Side effects

There is a risk of local muscle weakness (Botox® paralyses muscles which is how it works in wrinkle reduction). No one has reported it happening in the armpit although it can occur in the hands making it hard for a while to open jars. Up to 5% of patients may get compensatory sweating elsewhere. It’s possible to get a bruise from the injections. Topical local anaesthetic reduces discomfort.

If you do decide that you want to consider Botox® then it’s best to come in and discuss your personal situation and treatment options in detail. Successful treatment means injecting the entire problem area so it helps if you can take note of exactly of where your problem areas are. This information is used in addition to our medical tests to determine exactly where the sweating is coming from and therefore where to treat.

How much does it cost?

The cost for an underarm treatment is $1075 using 100 units of Botox®. The cost of other areas needs to be assessed at the time of consultation but the forehead area will be less and the palms would be more.

Why so reasonably priced?

If you are shopping around you will notice that our price is more reasonable than you would pay elsewhere. We are constantly reviewing our prices to ensure we can offer the best value for our patients and as high a quality treatment as you would receive anywhere.

The best way to contact us for an appointment is by phone. Call 09 360 4078 or email

More information at www.botox.com

Download a pdf of detailed treatment information

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