Hyperhidrosis

Sweating is necessary to control your body temperature in warm or hot weather, or when exercising. On average we lose over a litre of sweat a day. But around 1% of the population sweat excessively at times when they are neither hot or exercising. This condition is known as hyperhidrosis.

Hyperhidrosis can be either primary or secondary. Primary hyperhidrosis is more common than secondary hyperhidrosis, and usually causes excessive sweating in the face, hands, feet and armpits. Secondary hyperhidrosis affects the whole body.

You may find the condition embarrassing, and worrying about how much you're sweating will often make it worse. The level of sweating can vary from time to time. Certain things, such as anxiety, spicy foods, heat or certain illnesses can set it off. However, most of the time there is no obvious trigger and it just seems to come and go randomly.

Treatment

There are a number of treatments your doctor can offer you to help combat hyperhidrosis (both primary and secondary).

Antiperspirants: aluminium chloride. This works like a 'strong' antiperspirant, blocking the openings of the sweat ducts. Aluminium chloride antiperspirants can be used on the armpits, palms and soles - they can even be applied to the face (but avoid the eye area). They can be purchased at pharmacies, or by prescription.

Iontophoresis - uses electrical stimulation to help block the sweat glands.

Botulinum toxin injections - This treatment involves many small injections just under the skin in the affected areas to stop the nerves that control the sweat glands from working. Injections will need to be given every few months or the affects will wear off and the condition will return. Some people get mild 'flu like' symptoms for a day or so after the injections, and the areas injected can be sore for a few days after treatment.

Surgery - This is an option for people who have not seen much improvement following other treatments.


St Mellion Clinic offers Botulinum toxin injections [Botox] for the treatment of excessive sweating.