Can’t stop sweating through your shirt? Is sweat dripping off your palms in the middle of winter? You may be suffering from a condition known as hyperhidrosis.
What Is Hyperhidrosis?
Hyperhidrosis is defined as abnormally excessive sweating that’s not necessarily due to heat or exertion.
Sweating is your body’s natural way of cooling itself down. When you get hot, your nervous system activates your sweat glands, causing you to perspire. Sweating is normal and can also occur when you experience anxiety or stress. Hyperhidrosis occurs when the nerves responsible for stimulating your sweat glands become overactive, even though they haven’t been triggered by exertion or a hot environment.
Types of Hyperhidrosis
There are two types of hyperhidrosis, primary and secondary.
Primary hyperhidrosis causes excessive sweating for no apparent reason and can be worsened by stress or nervousness. This type usually affects your palms, soles, and face.
Secondary hyperhidrosis occurs when excess sweating is related to an underlying cause or medical condition such as cancer, diabetes, menopause, thyroid problems, infections, heart attack, or nervous system disorders. Certain medications can also cause secondary hyperhidrosis. This type is more likely to cause sweating all over your entire body.
Excessive sweating is the pits! It can lead to negative social and emotional effects. No one wants to have clammy hands or pit stains ALL the time! So, what can be done?
What Are My Options for Excessive Sweating?
Hyperhidrosis can be embarrassing, but don’t sweat it! Talk to your doctor about your concerns. There are several options out there that can help you combat excessive sweating such as prescription deodorants, topical or oral nerve-blocking medications, and neurotoxin injections such as Botox.
Botox? How Can Botox Injections Help Treat My Excessive Sweating?
Botox? Wait, isn’t that for wrinkles? Yes! However, Botox is also used to temporarily block the nerves that stimulate your sweat glands. When Botox is injected directly into the area of the body that excessively sweats, those overactive nerves become paralyzed. When your nerves are paralyzed, they can’t activate your sweat glands; therefore, you don’t sweat.
Where Is Botox Injected?
Botox is injected into the skin to treat the symptoms of severe sweating when medicines used on the skin (topical) do not work well enough.
The thoughts of getting an injection may have you sweating! But don’t sweat it! Here’s what you can expect with a Botox injection.
How Can I Prepare for Botox Injections?
Make sure you tell your doctor about any medical conditions you may have, including any muscle or nerve conditions. In addition, be sure to tell your doctor about any medications you are taking, including prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements. You may need to stop taking certain medications prior to your injections; however, don’t stop taking any medications unless your doctor tells you to.
What Can I Expect When Getting Botox Injections?
Botox injections don’t take long and can be administered and completed during a single office visit. In our office, we apply an anesthetic to your skin to help numb the area. The Botox is injected just below the skin’s surface using a fine needle. Each affected area of your body requires several injections.
What Can I Expect After Treatment?
You can return to your normal activities immediately after receiving your Botox injections. It generally takes two to seven days before you stop sweating in the treated area. It may take two weeks before you see the full effects. The effects of the injection are temporary and they last at least four months but sometimes over a year until the treatment needs to be repeated.
What are the Side Effects of Botox?
Most people tolerate Botox injections well. Possible side effects include pain or bruising at the injection site and flu-like symptoms. As with any injection into the skin, there is always a very low risk of bleeding, infection, or scarring.
Your Life May Be a Puddle, But It Doesn’t Have to Be.
Hyperhidrosis is unpleasant and can be embarrassing. We get it. But don’t be ashamed to talk to your doctor or someone experienced with treating this condition. Our office is always available to help you and can determine what treatment may be best for you.
Dr. Sergio Guiteau is a physician who has certifications in Aesthetic Medicine and is board certified in Family Practice and Sports Medicine. He specializes in Anti-Aging Medicine and blogs on Advancedrejuv.com/blog