“Horses sweat, men perspire, but ladies merely glow”, or so the old saying goes. Except it’s not true – everyone sweats. And for some people, excessive sweating (also known as hyperhidrosis) can affect every part of their life. Avoiding handshakes at work because of clammy hands, missing nights out because of visible sweat patches that get bigger by the minute, the fear of being perceived as unprofessional, unhealthy or unclean. I believe nobody should have to live like that. So, read on as I explain how I treat this common condition quickly and safely at DRVICTORIA™ Clinic.
A little hot under the collar
In terms of physical functions, sweating is no bad thing. It effectively cools your body temperature and prevents you from overheating.
There are multiple factors that can cause you to sweat including exercising, being in a hot environment, or feeling anxious, stressed, embarrassed or angry (hence the origin of the term “hot under the collar”!)
But whilst sweating is something we all deal with on a daily basis (and usually keep under control with a quick spray of antiperspirant in the morning), for some of you, excessive sweating can be more than just an inconvenience – it can seriously affect your confidence.
Living with hyperhidrosis
Hyperhidrosis is defined as excessive sweating and it can occur at any time – even in the absence of the usual triggers such as exercise, heat and embarrassment for example.
It affects 1% of the UK population and the most common areas affected by hyperhidrosis include:
- Underarms (axillary hyperhidrosis)
- Palm of the hands (palmar hyperhidrosis)
- Sole of the feet (plantar hyperhidrosis)
- Around the hairline (craniofacial)
There are two types of hyperhidrosis:
- Primary hyperhidrosis: This causes excessive sweating of the face, underarms, hands and feet without any apparent reason.
- Secondary hyperhidrosis: This causes excessive sweating all over the body and is caused by certain medical conditions or medications e.g., menopause, pregnancy, thyroid problems, and diabetes.
Both types of hyperhidrosis can have a negative impact on an individual, affecting every aspect of their life. In fact, one recent study concluded that;
“The magnitude of the losses in quality of life is comparable to conditions such as severe psoriasis, kidney failure and end-stage rheumatoid arthritis. Moreover, patients with hyperhidrosis have a higher prevalence of anxiety than that described in the general population and in patients with other chronic diseases” (Ref 1).
Don’t sweat the small stuff – help is on hand
Thankfully, there is a safe and effective treatment for hyperhidrosis available at the DRVICTORIA™ Clinic. No doubt you’ve heard of Botox® which can be used for smoothing wrinkles. But you may not have heard that it is also a fantastic way of treating hyperhidrosis. By injecting Botox® into the skin, we can temporarily block the chemical that stimulates your sweat glands.
The doctor will see you now
The great thing about hyperhidrosis treatments is that any adult patient can have it done – you don’t need a formal hyperhidrosis diagnosis from your GP.
Instead, we can talk through your history of symptoms during a consultation and carry out a Starch Iodine Test on the affected areas right here in the clinic.
The need to know info
The armpits are sensitive areas and there will be some discomfort, but overall the treatment is tolerable. It is no different to injections of Botox® anywhere else e.g., the face. As with any injectable treatment, bruising and swelling may occur. Occasionally, there may be muscle weakness in the area.
The good news is that you may start to see results in the first 3-5 days but it usually takes 2 weeks to see the full results. According to studies decreased perspiration can last over 6 months (Ref 2), however I recommend repeating the treatment every 4 to 6 months.
The key thing is to keep the treatment area clean. No make-up or products should be applied to the area for 24 hours, and you should avoid swimming, steam rooms and saunas for 48 hours to limit the chance of infection.
You may still sweat a little following treatment, but this will be vastly reduced. So you can start enjoying looking and feeling cool, calm and collected.
Dr Asel
Author's experience
Dr Asel has over 5 years experience in administering Botox® for both aesthetic and medical treatments to achieve exceptional results. Her empathetic nature and sensitive manner make her the natural choice for those seeking help for hyperhidrosis.
References:
- National Library of Medicine, Research of primary hyperhidrosis in students of medicine of the State of Sergipe, Brazil, Sônia Oliveira Lima, João Fernandes Britto Aragão, José Machado Neto, Kaio Bernardes Santos de Almeida, Layla Melize Santos Menezes, and Vanessa Rocha Santana, 2015
- National Library of Medicine, Hyperhidrosis, Jared Brackenrich and Christy Fagg, 2022
Resource links:
- NHS, Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis)
- American Academy of Dermatology, Hyperhidrosis: diagnosis and treatment
- Harvard Health Publishing, What can I do for my excessive sweating? 2021
