 excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) |
 |
Hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating, is a medical condition where the sweating exceeds the normal amount required to maintain body temperature. It is a condition that effects millions of people around the world and often goes undiagnosed and untreated.
Uncontrolled sweating can occur in various parts of the body including the hands, feet and the underarms. Although high temperatures or stress can increase perspiration they do not cause hyperhidrosis. Instead, hyperhidrosis may be an inherited predisposition that prevents the body effectively regulating its temperature.
Anti-wrinkle treatment injections can be used to treat axillary hyperhidrosis (excessive underarm sweating), targeting perspiration at its source. When injected it blocks the release of a chemical that triggers perspiration in the specific glands in the underarm responsible for excessive sweating.
The procedure only takes about 10 minutes, and more than 90% of patients have a significant decrease in the amount of sweating. The effects of the treatment last an average of 7.5 months (range 6-9 months).
Side effects are uncommon and are temporary. Some patients perceived an increase in sweating in areas other than the underarms, pain at the injection site, pain, hot flushes, and transient arm weakness.