This is a common condition in which a person sweats excessively. The sweating may affect the whole of your body, or it may only affect certain areas. Commonly affected areas include the: armpits. palms of your hands. It can affect both male and females and can be an embarrassing problem affecting peoples lives in a range of negative ways.
What Causes It?
Primary hyperhidrosis is caused by faulty nerve signals that trigger eccrine sweat glands to become overactive. It usually affects the palms, soles, underarms and sometimes the face.
There is no medical cause for this type of hyperhidrosis. It can run in families.
Secondary hyperhidrosis is caused by an underlying medical condition or by taking certain medications, such as pain relievers, antidepressants, and some diabetes and hormonal medications. This type of hyperhidrosis may cause sweating all over the body. Conditions that might cause it include:
- Diabetes
- Menopause hot flashes
- Thyroid problems
- Some types of cancer
- Nervous system disorders
- Infections
It is therefore important that a full medical history is taken before seeking treatment for excessive sweating to make sure that it is primary and not secondary hyperhidrosis.
At SO Aesthetics Clinic in Northern Ireland, Dr Keith will do a thorough assessment to ensure that treatment is appropriate.
How Do We Treat Excessive Sweating?
Nurse Susie can administer Botox® injections to relax the tiny sweat glands located just under the skin. These sweat glands normally produce sweat, which then travels up the sweat duct and out through the pores onto the surface of the skin. With these sweat glands in a more relaxed state, they no longer over produce sweat and that excessive sweat is no longer seen or felt at the skins surface.
Are There Any Side Effects?
The Botox® treatment is very straightforward and there are relatively few side effects which may include a little soreness in the area treated which quickly subsides. Sometimes patients can experience compensatory sweating (that is where they sweat from another part of their body instead). There is no down-time and patients can return to their daily activities immediately.
How long does do results last?
The treatment is usually very effective; resulting in an almost complete cessation of underarm sweating that can last up to six months from just one treatment session. It is important to note that Botox® injections for excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) is not a cure. Symptoms will eventually return and further treatments with Nurse Susie as SO Aesthetics Clinic Northern Ireland will be required.