Excessive Sweating (Hyperhidrosis)

What is Excessive Sweating (Hyperhidrosis)?

Excessive Sweating (Hyperhidrosis) is a condition of natural excessive sweating. Patients don’t necessarily need to feel heat or perform exercise either. The human body needs to sweat, due to certain conditions, some experience sweating beyond what is physiologically needed. Not only would this make a person feel uncomfortable, but it can also lead to dehydration which can have dangerous side effects on the body. 

Excessive Sweating (Hyperhidrosis) treatments may be the solution to such cases.

A certified physician will first assess to see if the patient’s whole body is producing excess sweat or if it’s been secreted from a particular part of the body only. If the whole body is producing an excess amount of sweat, underlying causes or illnesses may be the reason, in which further tests may be required – medication or surgical treatments can be required. Iontophoresis is a hyperhidrosis treatment that involves a technique of introducing ionic medicinal compounds into the body through the skin by applying gentle electrical currents to collapse sweat glands. Botox is also another alternative, which is particularly effective for excessive sweating of the hands and feet.

Who is Excessive Sweating (Hyperhidrosis) treatment suitable for?

As there are different treatments for the level of severity, it’s best to seek advice from your doctor on which treatment is best for you. 

Things to look out for include:

• Hyperhidrosis of the whole body generally affects people over the age of 25, however excess sweating of the hands and feet can start before 25.
• Have had symptoms for at least 6 months
• Follows a pattern, no sweating while asleep, sweat attacks at least once a week, 
• Affects quality of life

How Do The Treatments Work?

There are a few different types of treatments for excessive sweating.

These include:

Botox: Botulinum toxin is injected mainly into areas such as armpits, hands and feet to paralyze the nerve signals that are responsible for sweating, and to stop sweat glands from overproducing sweat.

Iontophoresis: Using special equipment, Iontophoresis involves a technique of introducing ionic medicinal compounds into the body through the skin by applying low voltage electrical currents to collapse sweat glands. 

Topical treatments: A simpler method are creams, gels and sprays in the form of deodorant that we use everyday to maintain cleanliness and personal hygiene. 

Recovery Period After Treatment

The healing process will differ according to the type of treatment applied. 

Surgical treatment recovery will take a longer period to heal. Botox treatments will be a lot less as it’s less invasive. However, daily use of deodorants and personal hygiene after treatment may cause irritation and redness.

Advantages of Hyperhidrosis Treatment

Normal levels of sweat and sweating in the body play an important role in maintaining body hemostasis, by reducing unnecessary water excretion from the body. If it’s not treated, further complications may emerge,

Hyperhidrosis can also impact quality of life and create unwanted situations where in time, will increase the severity of the condition. 

With treatments now available, addressing the condition and taking the right steps to treat it are key to achieving a healthier personal hygiene routine.