Sometimes it’s not the heat or the humidity. Treatment for excessive sweating can change your life for the better–and offer you a new kind of freedom.
WHAT IS HYPERHIDROSIS?
Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition that causes excessive and unpredictable sweating in the palms, underarms, feet or face. Excessive sweating or hyperhidrosis affects about 1 in 25 people and can be both embarrassing and bothersome.
Those affected seem to have overactive sweat glands that are more easily triggered into sweat production by anxiety and other heightened emotional states.
While the cause is unknown, the condition does seem to be hereditary and runs in families. The most common forms of hyperhidrosis are palmar hyperhidrosis (sweaty palms) and axillary hyperhidrosis (excessive underarm sweating.)
HOW TO TREAT EXCESSIVE
SWEATING
In general, Dr. Rivkin prefers to use the least invasive procedure possible to achieve the results that his patients are seeking. We are fortunate that Botox is a safe and effective remedy for excessive sweating.
At RIVKIN Aesthetics, we use Botox as our primary method of treatment for hyperhidrosis. But it’s not the only treatment. So, you’re wondering: how do I stop sweating so much? Well, look below for a list of procedures designed to do just that.
TOPICAL TREATMENTS
Powders such as talcum or corn starch can offer some relief for mild cases of excessive sweating. Short-term relief can be obtained by applying it to the hands or underarms. Strong antiperspirants are typically the first line of defense against excessive sweating.
We have seen that antiperspirants containing 10% to 20% aluminum chloride hexahydrate are the most effective. The most popular brand of these is Drysol, which is designed to be applied to the affected areas once at night for two to three nights and then one to two times per week.
Some patients can experience skin irritation or stained clothing, but DrySol can be used effectively when worn overnight and washed off in the morning.
BOTOX®
BOTOX Cosmetic is the most popular treatment for excessive sweating of the palms and underarms. BOTOX weakens the nerves that supply the sweat glands, preventing the release of acetycholine, and therefore greatly reducing or eliminating sweating in the treated area.
Treatments for hyperhidrosis typically do not use enough BOTOX to significantly affect muscle motion, although the patient may experience some slight muscle weakness in the treated area. The benefits of treating hyperhidrosis with BOTOX lasts six to twelve months and several areas of the body can be injected on the same visit.
Dr. Rivkin recommends this treatment for hyperhidrosis as he has found it to be the safest and most effective therapy.
ORAL ANTICHOLINGERGICS
Acetylcholine is the neurotransmitter that triggers sweat glands to produce sweat. Anticholingergics counteract acetylcholine and therefore reduce sweating. Unfortunately, these medications can have unpleasant side effects including dry mouth and constipation.
IONTOPHORESIS
Iontophoresis uses a small electric charge to deliver medicine through the skin, while your palm is submerged in water. Iontophoresis often works for mild cases, but the treatment requires many sessions and most people find it time consuming and inconvenient. Side effects can include skin cracking and blisters.
SURGERY
For extreme cases in which the patient does not respond to other treatment, surgery is an option. Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy is the surgical procedure for excessive sweating and is performed under general anesthesia.
A small incision is made and the nerves which control sweating are clamped or cut. Dr. Rivkin always recommends trying less invasive procedures before resorting to surgery.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM
YOUR HYPERHIDROSIS TREATMENT
During your consultation, Dr. Rivkin will perform a full medical evaluation to determine if Botox is the best solution for your condition. He will fully explain the procedure so that you know exactly what to expect from the treatment.
Botox for hyperhidrosis is a temporary solution and therefore, injections must be administered every 6 to 12 months. There is very little pain associated with this procedure and side effects are minimal, but can include some redness and bruising, all of which should subside within a few days.
We always use ice to numb the area and for those with a lower pain threshold, topical numbing cream can be applied prior to treatment. Please be advised that it is necessary for the area to be clean and shaved prior to the injections.
Patients notice results as soon as 5-7 days following the procedure. If Dr. Rivkin feels that Botox would not be the best solution, he will recommend other options.
Dr. Rivkin is personally involved in every treatment and can be contacted with any problems at any time. He is always in the office at RIVKIN Aesthetics, and is personally involved in every treatment.
During your initial consultation, Dr. Rivkin will evaluate your individual needs, explain your options, and recommend a course of treatment. To learn more about Dr. Rivkin’s techniques for treating hyperhidrosis and sweaty palms, contact us today.
){kind=logo}