Causes of Excessve Sweating

Hyperhidrosis may be part of an underlying medical condition (secondary hyperhidrosis ) or may be of unknown cause (primary hyperhydrosis). In general, secondary hyperhidrosis involves the entire body. Conditions which cause secondary hyperhidrosis include hyperthyroidism, malignant diseases, obesity and menopause. Primary hyperhydrosis, or sweating without known cause is also termed idiopathic or essential hyperhydrosis. This is a much more common condition than secondary hyperhidrosis and may occur in one or several locations of the body. The hands, feet and armpits are the most common locations. The condition usually starts during adolescence and is lifelong. Nervousness and anxiety can precipitate excessive sweating.

Antiperspirants/Deodorants

Often considered the "first line" of treatment for severe underarm sweating, over-the-counter and prescription antiperspirants work by blocking sweat ducts, thereby reducing the amount of perspiration that reaches the skin. The most widely used ingredients in antiperspirants are metallic salts, including aluminium chloride hexahydrate. Antiperspirants can cause skin irritation, and higher concentrations of aluminium chloride can be destructive to fabrics.

Deodorants help control body odor, which is caused by a reaction between bacteria and sweat. The deodorants work by making the skin more acidic, and hence less attractive to bacteria. They are often used in combination with antiperspirants to help control sweating in addition to odour.

Botulinum Toxin (Botox)

By placing a number of superficial injections of Botox into the armpit the amount of sweating can be markedly reduced or stopped all together. Botox targets sweating at its source. Once injected it enters the specific glands in the underarms responsible for excess sweating. There it blocks the chemical signals from the nerves that stimulate the sweat glands. When the sweat glands don't receive chemical signals, the sweating stops. After the first treatment the effects of Botox last an average of seven and a half months; however, the duration of effect may vary from person to person. Some people report a reduction in sweating lasting for more than a year.

See: Treatment with Botox at Christchurch Cosmetic Medicine Clinic

Other Treatment Options

Iontophoresis
This procedure involves sending a small electrical current to the surface of the affected area while it is submerged in water. In general, treatments must be repeated 3-4 times per week. This procedure is no longer commonly used for treating severe underarm sweating.

Surgery
A variety of surgical approaches have been used to treat severe sweating, but they are usually reserved for the most severe cases that do not respond to other treatments. One of the most common types of surgery is called endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS). With ETS, the patient is put to sleep with general anesthesia and then the surgeon attempts to interrupt the transmission of nerve signals between the spinal column and sweat glands in the affected area. This procedure may result in unwanted increased sweating from other areas of the body—called "compensatory sweating." Other types of surgery sometimes used for severe underarm sweating include liposuction and removal of the sweat glands under the armpits.

Alternative therapy
Herbal remedies such as sage tea or sage tablets, chamomile, valerian root, and St. John's wort, as well as biofeedback, acupuncture, hypnosis, and relaxation techniques, are sometimes suggested as treatments for excessive sweating; however, there is little research at this time to indicate the effectiveness of such treatments.

Botox(R) is a prescription medicine containing 100 units of botulinum toxin type A for injection.It is used for the treatment of severe primary hyperhidrosis of the Axillae. It should be administered only by trained medical professionals. Talk tp us about the benefits/risks of this procedure. Cautions: People with defective neuro-muscular transmission disorders, infection at the site of injection, pregnancy and lactation. Possible side effects include a perceived increase in sweating in areas other than the underarms, pain at the injection site, pain, hot flushes and transient arm weakness. If you have any side effects of concerns speak to us or your doctor. You will need to pay for this medicine. Note: Botox treatment lasts about 7.5 months and after this time further courses of treatment may be necessary. Speak to us about your own situation.