Excessive Sweating – Hyperhidrosis
Excessive sweating is a medical condition. It affects 2% of people in Ireland. The medical term for the condition is hyperhidrosis. Excessive sweating affects several areas of the body. Most patients presenting with the problem are concerned about increased sweating in the (underarms) armpits, palms, face, and lips.
Hyperhidrosis is defined as sweating in excess of the amount required for the body’s level of activity and temperature. At Castleknock Cosmetic Clinic Dublin we see two types of hyperhidrosis, primary and secondary. Excessive sweating in the underarm and feet is invariably associated with strong odours.
Types of Excessive Sweating
In primary excessive sweating, the cause is unknown. Excessive sweating tends to be localised. Affected areas are usually the axilla (underarm), hands, face, and/or feet. Primary excessive sweating begins during childhood or early adolescence. It gets worse during puberty, and lasts a lifetime.
Secondary excessive sweating is less common than primary hyperhidrosis. This type of excessive sweating is caused by another medical condition. Its distribution is usually over the entire body. Some of the medical conditions we see at Castleknock Cosmetic Clinic Dublin causing secondary excessive sweating include Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), menopause, obesity, psychiatric disorders, and diabetes. Secondary hyperhidrosis can also be caused by use of certain medications. In about 60%, the hands and feet are affected, and in about 30-40% of cases, the armpits are also affected.
Genetics may be a factor, since 25-40% of individuals with excessive sweating also have a family member with the condition. In many cases, the condition is associated with malodorous predisposition.
Hyperhidrosis
In hyperhidrosis, sweating may be present all the time or start and stop suddenly. Emotional stress, high room/environmental temperature, and digestion of certain foods can aggravate perspiration. Symptoms of hyperhidrosis vary depending on the body area affected.
Hands
In excessive sweating of the hands, the palms get unreasonably moist and cold to the touch. Sufferers worry about attending from social occasions that require that all familiar handshake. They tend to carry blotting tissue or handkerchief with them.
Axilla
In axillary hyperhidrosis, perspiration in the underarm area occurs, leave large wet marks and staining clothes. Sufferers may resort to wearing dark colour tops. Others may resort to apply pads in an effort to soak up excessive sweat from the underarm.
Treatment Options
Neurotoxin Toxin for Hyperhidrosis Treatment
In 2004, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the use of injected neurotoxin for (underarm) hyperhidrosis that resists treatment with topical applications. Since then, we started using the effective method at Castleknock Cosmetic Clinic Dublin. Although most studies of the neurotoxin for hyperhidrosis included adult patients, some doctors use neuromodulator toxin used in wrinkle correction to treat excessive sweating in children with some success. Even though the ant-wrinkle medicine injections have only been approved to treat underarm hyperhidrosis, doctors can use it “on named patient basis” to treat other affected areas of the body. It is injected into the affected area, and one series of injections may last for up to nine months.
VASER for Excessive Sweating
Sweat glands are located immediately below the skin (where the dermis and the underlying fat meet). They can be readily reached by the focused ultrasonic energy emitted by the VASER Machine. The ultrasound vibrations can then be used to destroy these glands, without damaging any other tissues in the area. The VASER procedure is an exciting technology available at Castleknock Cosmetic Clinic Dublin. It is approved by the FDA, and we are delighted to have been one of the first clinics in Dublin, and in Ireland to offer this life changing procedure to our patients.
The VASER procedure is intended to reduce sweating back to near normal levels. It is not a way to totally eliminate sweating from underarm areas. The aim of the VASER procedure is to have considerable improvement in the condition. VASER is only suitable for underarms sweating.
Following clinical evaluation, the procedure can be carried out in an outpatient setting. The procedure is performed under local anaesthesia. After numbing the area the surgeon inserts a small VASER probe under the skin. It delivers focused ultrasonic energy which emulsifies the sweat glands. VASER disables and destroys the vast majority of the sweat glands. Recovery is very quick. You can even return to your daily routine the day after your treatment if you wish.
PRICE GUIDE
When getting aesthetic injection treatments you’re paying for the service rather than the product. Follow this link to see our current Excessive sweating price guide for various areas when using wrinkle injection toxin.
