Excessive Sweating and Botox Treatment for Hyperhydrosis

What is Hyperhydrosis?

Excessive sweating or hyperhidrosis is the condition characterized by increased perspiration beyond what is normal for temperature regulation, (it is normal to sweat from exercise or heavy exertion). Hyperhydrosis can affect any body area, but is more common in the underarms (arms pits), feet, palms, and face. Experiencing excessive sweating can be embarrassing and interfere with normal daily activities, both socially and professionally.

What causes excessive sweating?

Sweating is normal and experienced by all people as a physiologic response to physical exertion or an emotional response to stress.  Sweating is caused by secretions of glands on the body called “eccrine glands.”  The etiology of excessive focal sweating is not known, but it may relate to sympathetic over activity.

Do I suffer from hyperhridosis?

Excessive sweating is not easy to differentiate from the normal occurrence. The fundamental definition of excessive sweating is when it goes from being normal to causing you distress. Sweating is categorized in three major types.

Localized sweating – also known as primary focal hyperhidrosis, this condition affects the feet, hands, groin, face and especially the armpits of 1 to 3 percent of the population. Symptoms occur on both sides or can be uneven. Although it is a medical condition, this type of sweating is not a disease or related to drug reaction.

Generalized sweating – a rare type of hyperhidrosis, this case causes diffuse sweating all over the body and tends to be more medically serious. It may also be caused by an underlying medical condition unknown by the sufferer such as diabetes, thyroid problems, alcoholism, tuberculosis, rheumatoid arthritis or heart failure. Symptoms of secondary hyperhidrosis are excessive sweating at night.

Although it is not life threatening, hyperhidrosis is definitely embarrassing and makes life difficult. Many individuals with this condition tend to avoid socialization particularly the handshake or close intimate contact with others.

How can I treat excessive sweating?

Although there is no cure for primary hyperhidrosis, there are treatments you can do to slow down or control your heavy sweating.

• Antiperspirants can help in controlling sweat on the armpit area. These may come in form of lotion, spray, roll-on or stick and are generally purchased over the counter.
• Prescription antiperspirants are also available after consultation with a dermatologist.
• Iontophoresis is the process of applying low-level electrical impulses to the affected area to momentarily hinder the sweating. This is a good option for hyperhydrosis but is timely and expensive.
• Botox Therapy for Hyperhidrosis:  Botulinum toxin injections work by temporally blocking the neurotransmitters that stimulate glands to procedure sweat.

Can you tell me more about Botox Treatment for excessive sweating?
Botulinum toxin type A (Botox) is a medication that is injected under the skin below the dermis to reduce sweating. Botox works by being absorbed by the nerve cells and blocking neurotransmitters that encourage sweat production.

Is Botox injections for hyperhidrosis safe?

Yes, Botox is a safe medication that has been on the market for over 20 years.
What areas can I have Botox injected into for hyperhyrdosis?

Botox works great for axillary (arm pit) hyperhidrosis. It is injected at 15-20 sites in the underarm. A decrease in sweating is noted starting about 2 weeks after the injections. Botox injections work excellent to treat the palms, soles and facial areas that can be affected by increased sweating.

How often do I need to have the Botox Injections?

The reduction in sweating lasts for about 6 months after Botox treatment for hyperhydrosis. So, most patient have the treatment does twice per year.

Is Botox Injections for excessive sweating painful?

Dr. Schweiger uses a tiny needle when he injects Botox for hyperhydrosis, so there is only minimal pain involved.

What is the cost of Botox Treatment for hyperhydrosis?

Most insurance do not cover Botox injections for excessive sweating. The cost per treatment is $1200. Dr. Schweiger performs all Botox injections for hyperhydrosis himself. When receiving treatment with Botox for hyperhydrosis, it is important to go to a Board Certified dermatologist, like NY Dermatologist, Dr Schweiger.

To Schedule a consultation with NYC Dermatologist Dr. Schweiger: Click here.