Sweat is your body’s natural cooling system. When the temperature outside starts
to climb or your internal temperature gets elevated by exercise or nerves, it’s
totally normal to experience increased dampness in your armpits, hands and feet.
However, some people sweat without any kind of trigger, and the amount that they
sweat can be severe. Hyperhidrosis is the clinical term for this disorder, and it
affects anywhere from 2% to 5% of the population in this country. While excessive
sweating won’t hurt you, it can be emotionally or even socially devastating.
Imagine going into a business meeting or on a first date, and being afraid to shake
someone’s hand because yours is soaking wet. To make matters worse,
hyperhidrosis is often immune to topical treatments such as anti-perspirant.
Thankfully, many of my Boston area patients have found relief for their excessive
sweating with a neurotoxin procedure such as Botox®. It’s a pretty simple way to
give yourself peace of mind.
Do You Have Hyperhidrosis?
Figuring out whether or not you have hyperhidrosis is a little nebulous, but if you experience serious sweating without an inciting trigger such as a heatwave, intense run or stressful presentation, you could have primary hyperhidrosis. This is more than heavy sweating. Hyperhidrosis is the kind of flop sweat that can drip off your fingers, stain your clothes and cause that awful squelching noise every time you take a step. People with this disorder typically experience an episode at least once a week while awake, and it affects both sides of the body equally. This is not be confused with secondary hyperhidrosis which is increased sweating that accompanies certain medical conditions such as:
- Parkinson’s disease
- Low blood sugar
- Overactive thyroid gland
What Causes Hyperhidrosis?
One of the most frustrating things for patients with excessive sweating is that we don’t really know its underlying cause. Genetics may be a factor, but hyperhidrosis seems to be the result of irregular wiring in your sympathetic nervous system. This is the part of the body that controls your internal temperature and modulates your “fight or flight” response. Basically, your brain sends out a signal to turn on the kind of sweating needed to flee a saber tooth tiger despite the fact that you may be safely relaxing in bed.
A neurotoxin such as Botox® can help reduce excessive sweating as it blocks the nerve signals that turn on your sweat glands. It may take anywhere from 3-4 days for your results to become evident, but the reduction in sweating that you achieve can last anywhere from 4-6 months. This is a game changer for patients who’ve tried dozens of anti-perspirants without success.
Shake Hands with Confidence
The benefit of Botox® for reducing sweating is not exclusive to those with primary hyperhidrosis. Some of my male patients who work in fields where they shake hands a lot will have a neurotoxin procedure in their primary “shaking” hand in order to ensure that it stays cool and dry no matter what. The same goes for certain women who have it in the armpits because they’re tired of dealing with sweat stains on their clothes. It’s truly an individual choice.
Botox® for Excessive Sweating Procedure
The procedure itself is quick and easy. Performed in the office, a trusted member of my staff will first numb your treatment area with a topical anesthetic. I will then make a series of injections with a very fine needle. The whole thing takes about 30 minutes. You may experience some redness at the injection sites, swelling and bruising. These typically resolve on their own within two weeks, and most patients find these potential side effects well worth it. According to the International Hyperhidrosis Society, people who had a Botox® procedure for excessive sweating report an 85% reduction in their symptoms. This is huge. While FDA approved for treating the underarms, I have safely been using Botox® “off-label” for years to address excessive sweating in the hands and feet. So, if you are tired of feeling like the human version of Niagara Falls, schedule an appointment to come in and discuss how Botox® could help.
To find out more about Botox® for excessive sweating with Dr. Sean Doherty at his Boston or Brookline office, contact us today or call (617) 450-0070 to schedule a consultation.