As the months get hotter, you might start to ask yourself, am I sweating “too much”?
Unfortunately, there is no exact way to measure if you are in fact, sweating too much. If you are finding that your sweat is causing additional problems or distress in your life, you may suffer excessive sweating. When sweating becomes excessive and begins to interfere with your daily life or mental health, it can be referred to as the medical condition, Hyperhidrosis.
Hyperhidrosis affects as many as 3% of adults. Usually starting in adolescence or young adulthood, Hyperhidrosis can manifest as increased sweating in the palms, soles, or underarms. For those affected, Hyperhidrosis can alter their day-to day activities and reduce their life quality. Hyperhidrosis sufferers often feel embarrassed by their excess sweating struggle with everyday activities such as:
- Having to change clothes during the day
- Having to choosing fabrics and colors that will reduce the sweat stains
- Avoiding shaking hands
- Avoiding social gatherings
- Challenges with romantic relationships
- Difficulty writing because the pen slips or sweat soaks through ink on the page
When excessive sweating is limited to areas such as the palms, soles or underarms, it’s called focal hyperhidrosis. In some cases, stronger antiperspirants can help but usually medical or surgical solutions are required. Botulinum Toxin A is one of the most versatile and helpful medical treatments available for hyperhidrosis. Botox®, Xeomin® and Dysport® are the most common brands of botulinum toxin A used. Injections of this medication blocks the signal from the tiny nerves communicating with sweat glands in the skin. The results can be life changing for some and simply liberating for others. Sweat will be reduced for up to 6 months at which time a repeat treatment is needed. This is not a new therapy and repeated treatments have not been associated with complications. Miradry® is a treatment that uses microwave energy to thermally damage the sweat glands. Patient satisfaction is high with these treatments as well but more than one treatment is required and some patients do not tolerate the discomfort during the treatment. Surgical solutions have become much less popular with the advent of these medical, non-surgical options.
At YES Cosmetic Surgery Centre, we recommend BOTOX® for the effective relief from excessive sweating that can’t be controlled with antiperspirants. Many extended medical programs cover the cost of the medicine used which can make these treatments very affordable. With assistance from insurance the treatment costs range from $750 – 1200 per session.
Botox and Excessive Sweating: How it the treatment done?
After the application of a topical anesthetic, small injections are administered just below the surface of the skin in the area of concern by one of our skilled nurses. The treatment takes about 20 min and then you are back to your daily activities. Within 2 weeks, over 80% of patients will experience a significant reduction in sweating that usually lasts between 6 to 8 months.
Hyperhidrosis: When It’s Serious?
Focal hyperhidrosis isn’t medically serious. However, other forms of excessive sweating, can signal underlying medical problems. Sweating all over the body at once is called generalized hyperhidrosis. It’s frequently caused by conditions affecting the whole body. Infection, hormone imbalance and neurological disorders can be responsible. Night sweats are more likely to be associated with a systemic medical condition and should seek medical advice from their primary care physician.
To find out if BOTOX® treatments can relieve your excessive sweating, request a consultation at YES Cosmetic Surgery Centre or call our office at 604-888-9378
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