Hyperhidrosis- Excessive Underarm Sweating
Excessive underarm sweating or Hyperhidrosis is a condition characterized by excessive sweating of at least 6 months duration without apparent cause. It occurs when the over active sweat glands release a volume of sweat that is significantly more than the body’s normal requirements for cooling.
Sufferers may sweat on a continuous basis throughout the day but there maybe triggers such as stress, social situations, high temperatures or other stimulants (caffeine and exercise).
Severe Axillary Hyperhidrosis is diagnosed when a person experienced at 6 months of excessive sweating with no known cause and also has also at least 2 of the other characteristics below
- Both underarms are affected
- Daily activities are impaired
- Occurs at least once a week
- First occurs at less than 25 years of age
- Family history of excessive sweating
- Excessive sweating does not happen during sleep
Treatments available for Severe Axillary Hyperhidrosis
- Antiperspirant– these are readily available in supermarkets and convenience stores. Deodorants are not included in this category, as they do not stop sweating, they only mask the odour associated with sweating
- Clinical strength antiperspirant– these are obtained from pharmacies and they contain aluminum chloride hexadydrate. This treatment effects typically last approximately 48hours
- Prescription medication from your doctor.
4. Injectable treatment– this treatment is only available for children over the age of 12 and adults who are intolerant to antiperspirant containing aluminum chloride hexadydrate or for whom this type of antiperspirant treatment does not work.
The use of Botulinum Toxin Type -(BOTOX®) the treatment of severe excessive widely researched. It works by temporarily blocking the release of a chemical called- acetylcholine therefore inhibiting the sweating. It is simple treatment involving tiny injections just under the skin where the over active sweat glands are. Clinician performs a cornstarch and iodine test to identify these over active sweat glands.
Typically the patient will need 1-2 treatments to start with and on average the reduction of sweating start at around 2 weeks after injection and can last on average around 6-7 months and some cases, longer.
- Surgery– this considered as the last resort.
Severe excessive underarm sweating significantly creates a negative impact on several aspects of the patients’ daily life. There are now more options for treatment of severe excessive under arm sweating. Talk to us at Pour Moi Skin and Beauty if the use of Botulinum toxin type A is a suitable treatment for you.