What is Hyperhidrosis?

Hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating. Sweating is one of the most important ways in which the body loses heat, however, people with hyperhidrosis produce sweat in amounts far greater than needed to control their temperature.

There are two main types of hyperhidrosis. The more common type is 'focal hyperhidrosis' which can affect the armpits, hands, feet or face. 'Generalised hyperhidrosis' is less common, affecting the whole body and usually caused by another illness such as infection, diabetes or hyperthyroidism. When the illness is treated, the excessive sweating usually stops.

Many patients tell us that excessive sweating, especially from their armpits or hands can be socially restricting and regularly causes embarrassment. It means that they feel forced to wear dark clothes or layer their clothes, even in hot weather so that the wet patches under the arms are less evident.

How do we treat Hyperhidrosis?

Those familiar with botox from a skin smoothing/wrinkle reducing perspective may be surprised to learn that it is equally effective in the treatment of excessive sweating. It works in exactly the same way as it does for wrinkles by blocking nerve impulses. By blocking, or interrupting, this impulse, botulinum toxin “turns off” sweating at the area where it has been injected.

Will it hurt?

In a word...no! Generally the treatment will only take about 10 minutes and with the needles being extremely fine, most patients report that the treatment is virtually painless with some likening it to acupuncture.