Underarm Sweating

Sweating is necessary for our body as it maintains core body temperature. The human body has 4 million sweat glands distributed on all areas of the skin, with higher concentrations found on the palms, soles, axillae and face. Sweating has both thermoregulatory and emotional variants.

Axillary Hyperhidrosis is a medical problem that involves more sweating than what is required by our body. Axillary Hyperhidrosis is caused by over activity of the sweat glands and is present in 1 % of the population and a family history is present in 30 to 50 % of patients suggesting a genetic component.

Axillary Hyperhidrosis and is triggered by:

• Exercise,
• Heat or cold,
• Alcohol, coffee, tea, smoking, hot or spicy food,
• Stress, anxiety, strong emotions; and
• Certain times of the day.

Social and functional working of the person is directly affected by Axillary Hyperhidrosis and can create anxiety and depression in the person suffering from it. The condition generally starts in adolescence; Hyperhidrosis is divided into primary or secondary hyperhidrosis. Secondary hyperhidrosis is usually generalized and often has all underlying pathological aetiology.

If there is excessive sweating of at least 6 months duration with at least two of the following characteristics then primary Hyperhidrosis is present and this can be treated with Botox.

The patient should consider the following questions before having Botox treatment for Hyperhidrosis:

• Bilateral and relatively symmetrical sweating?
• Impairs daily activity?
• At least one episode per week?
• Onset before the age of 25 years?
• Positive family history?
• Cessation of sweating during sleep?

In Office treatments:

At Body Renewal, many patients have been successfully treated for Axillary Hyperhidrosis with Botox, a simple and effective treatment for excessive sweating. The procedure takes:

• Procedure takes 15 to 20 minutes to do;
• is relatively painless;
• involves a few injections into the underarm skin where the sweating is greatest;
• to block the action of nerves that supply the sweat glands and to stop the glands from producing sweat;
• These results can last from 6 to 9 months, and will greatly depend on the individual.

Body Renewal Tip:

Botox can also be used to treat:

• Palmar hyperhidrosis.
• The soles of the feet
• The face