Hyperhidrosis

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is hyperhidrosis?

Hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating caused by overactive eccrine sweat glands, which are most frequently found in arm pits.

• How common is hyperhidrosis?

Hyperhidrosis usually affects people in their teens and twenties and 1 in 200 people on average are approximately affected.

• What causes hyperhidrosis?

The cause of hyperhidrosis is not really known though many people have relatives with a similar problem, suggesting there may be a genetic cause. Rarely, it can be associated with other illnesses such as hyperthyroidism or diabetes, but such persons have generalised hyperhidrosis affecting the entire body.

• What treatments are available?

Self help measures include wearing clothes made from natural fibres, ensuring surroundings are cool and well aired, avoiding alcohol, tea, coffee and spicy foods, avoiding stress and tension and attention to personal hygiene, by taking frequent showers.

Aluminium Hydroxide based anti-perspirants can be used, but these have to be used regularly and can cause skin irritation. Some sufferers require surgery in the form of endoscopic cervical sympathectomy.

A less invasive, but very effective, treatment is to inject Botulinum Toxin Type A into the armpits.

• What is Botulinum Toxin Type A?

Botulinum Toxin Type A is a protein obtained from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum under modern methods of cultivation. It has been used for many years in the treatment of muscle spasms, including children with cerebral palsy.

• How does Botulinum Toxin Type A work?

Botulinum Toxin Type A is licensed for severe underarm sweating that is not adequately managed with topical agents. Botulinum Toxin Type A treatment helps control this condition by temporarily blocking the chemical signals from the nerves that stimulate the eccrine sweat glands. When the sweat glands don't receive chemical signals, the severe sweating stops.

• How soon does the treatment work and how long does the effect last?

You should notice an improvement within the first week after treatment and a significant reduction in underarm sweating within 4 weeks of your first treatment. There is a possibility that some sweat glands may be missed, and you may continue to experience some sweating from the untreated areas. If you do not see a significant reduction in sweating, you should contact your healthcare provider and request a follow-up consultation.

The treatment lasts on average between 4 and 7 months.

• Are there any side effects?

Side effects are generally infrequent. Mostly commonly there may be some discomfort at the injection site. Rarely, flu-like symptoms may occur. These effects usually disappear within a few days. There may be an increase in sweating in other parts of the body and even more rarely there maybe slight muscle weakness. These effects tend to disappear within 4 months and without requiring any additional treatment.

• Who is not suitable to have Botulinum Toxin Type A treatment?

It is not suitable for people with neuromuscular transmission disorders (e.g. Myasthenia Gravis), chronic respiratory problems, coagulation disorders, pregnant women, breastfeeding mums, if there is a history of allergy to injection ingredients, if there is infection or inflammation over the injection site or if the person is taking any of the following medications - aminoglycoside antibiotics, anticoagulants, aspirin or muscle relaxants.