"Hyperhydrosis"
Hyperhidrosis, often referred to as excessive sweating, is a medical condition characterized by unusually high levels of sweating, beyond what is necessary for the body to regulate its temperature. While sweating is a normal bodily function that helps cool us down when we’re hot or during physical exertion, individuals with hyperhidrosis experience excessive sweating even when there is no apparent trigger. An estimated 3-5% of the population in Canada and the USA suffer from primary hyperhidrosis.
Hyperhidrosis can affect various parts of the body, including the armpits (axillary hyperhidrosis), hands (palmar hyperhidrosis), feet (plantar hyperhidrosis), and other areas.
Two Main Categories of the Condition
> Primary or Focal Hyperhidrosis
This is the most common form of hyperhidrosis and typically begins during childhood or adolescence. It is characterized by excessive sweating in specific, localized areas, such as the palms, soles of the feet, armpits, or face. The cause of primary hyperhidrosis is often genetic and not associated with an underlying medical condition. This type of hyperhidrosis may be treated with a neuromodulator.
> Secondary Hyperhidrosis
This type of hyperhidrosis is typically associated with an underlying medical condition or a side effect of medication. It can affect the entire body and is often more generalized. Causes of secondary hyperhidrosis can include hormonal imbalances, neurological disorders, infections, menopause, and certain medications. This type cannot be treated with a neuromodulator.
Neuromodulator treatment is only for Primary Hyperhidrosis. Secondary Hyperhidrosis indicates an underlying medical cause for the excessive sweating, and must be investigated and treated by your medical doctor.
Axillary hyperhidrosis is a type of primary hyperhidrosis characterized by excessive sweating or perspiration in the armpit area, which is also known as the axillary region. While sweating is a normal and necessary bodily function to regulate body temperature, individuals with axillary hyperhidrosis sweat excessively even when their body does not need to cool down.
This condition can significantly affect a person’s quality of life, leading to social embarrassment, discomfort, and stained clothing. Some common characteristics of axillary hyperhidrosis include:
- Excessive Sweating: Individuals with this condition experience sweat production that is far beyond what is necessary to regulate body temperature.
- Chronic Nature: Axillary hyperhidrosis is usually a chronic condition, meaning it persists over an extended period rather than being a temporary issue.
- Impact on Daily Life: The excessive sweating can interfere with daily activities, leading to discomfort, anxiety, and avoidance of social situations.
- Stained Clothing: Constant sweating in the armpit area can lead to clothing stains and may require individuals to change clothes frequently.
- Emotional Impact: The condition can have psychological and emotional effects, causing embarrassment and low self-esteem.
How can we treat Hyperhidrosis?
There are several treatment options for axillary hyperhidrosis, including prescription strength antiperspirants, oral medication, microwave or electrical current treatment, surgery and neurotoxin (botulinum toxin A) injections.
Neuromodulator injections are an effective treatment for axillary hyperhidrosis. The treatment works by blocking the nerve signals that stimulate sweat glands, providing relief for approximately 6 months. Neurotoxin injections for hyperhidrosis are safe, minimally invasive, and can significantly improve your quality of life.
What to expect?
Botox is a safe and effective treatment for primary hyperhidrosis that is quick to perform and requires no downtime following the treatment. Prior to your treatment, Dr. Grunau will review your medical history and medications, to ensure you are an appropriate candidate for this treatment. If it’s your first time receiving neuromodulator injections for excessive sweating in your armpits, Dr. Esther Grunau will apply a topical numbing cream to the area where you will have your Neuromodulator injections prior to the procedure, to ease the discomfort. Dr. Grunau advises patients not to participate in excessive or extreme physical activity, or take hot showers or baths, on the day of your neuromodulator treatment for axillary hyperhidrosis.
Frequently Asked Questions
When administered by a trained medical professional, Botox is generally considered safe. However, like any medical procedure, it does carry some risks and potential side effects.
To treat underarm sweating, the neurotoxin is directed at the transmission between the nerve ending and the muscle, but directs its attention to the nervous system. It blocks the nerves that are responsible for the activation of sweat glands.
- Please avoid shaving and other hair removal techniques (such as waxing or electrolysis) to the underarms for 2-3 days prior to your appointment.
- On the morning of your appointment: after you shower and wash the under arm area, do not apply deodorant or antiperspirant. After your appointment, please wait until the next day to apply deodorant or antiperspirant.
- You may return to your usual activities following your treatment, with some slight modifications. For additional important before and after care information, refer to these instructions.
The most common side effect is irritation or minor bruising at the injection site.
Most people see results starting to take effect 3 days after the treatment. The full effects peak around 10-14 days. This is why we recommend a follow up appointment with Dr. Grunau 2 weeks after your initial treatment.
Yes! The treatment has been shown to reduce sweating by 80 to 90 percent according to sweathelp.org.
A common concern for patients who suffer from excessive underarm sweating is the fear of sweat smell, leading to embarrassment and social anxiety. When the liquid caused by sweating mixes with the natural bacteria on our skin, it can lead to odor when it dries. Good news! Underarm neurotoxin injections can stop or lessen the smell in the armpits. As the treatment aims to shut down sweat glands, it can reduce odors caused by sweat when it interacts with the natural bacteria on the surface of the skin.
Dr. Esther Grunau will apply a topical numbing cream to the area where you will have your Botox injections prior to the procedure, to ease the discomfort. The palms and soles of feet are more difficult areas to numb, as the number of sensory nerves in these areas means these areas are typically more sensitive.
The effects of neuromodulator injections to treat sweating lasts approximately 6 months, and in some patients may last up to 1 year.
You should not have injections if you:
- Are pregnant or nursing.
- Are allergic to albumin.
- Had an allergic reaction to any other botulinum toxin product.
- Have an infection, skin condition, or muscle weakness at the planned injection site(s).
- Have a disease that affects your muscles and nerves, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease), myasthenia gravis, Lambert-Eaton syndrome, or Parkinson’s.
- Total treatment cost starts at $700, including your consultation with the doctor, as well as your followup care. The cost primarily depends on the amount of neuromodulator needed to treat the hyperhidrosis, which will vary according to the size of the area and the severity of the hyperhidrosis.
- Most patients require 50 units of neurotoxin per armpit (100 units total).