Excessive sweating – how to get rid of it before summer?

Date added: 07.07.2023

Read time: 6 min

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What is Excessive Sweating and How to Get Rid of It Before Summer

Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) is a condition characterized by overproduction of sweat. The affliction most commonly affects the armpits or hands. The problem is very bothersome. Profuse sweating causes embarrassment, anxiety, and difficulties in relationships with other people. It also contributes to the development of skin changes and can interfere with daily activities. Symptoms intensify, among others, under the influence of heat. How to overcome hyperhidrosis before summer?

What is excessive sweating?

Excessive sweating is characterized by sweat production beyond the needs related to regulating body temperature.

The disorder most commonly involves:

Hyperhidrosis is a significant burden for those suffering from it. It negatively affects mental health as well as social and professional interactions. It may lead to self-isolation. Additionally, it impacts the skin's natural protective mechanisms, resulting in more frequent infections. Excessive sweating is a common problem. Experts estimate that it affects 1-3% of the population.

What are the types of excessive sweating?

Specialists divide excessive sweating into primary and secondary. The term "primary" means that the problem is not caused by another disease. This type of hyperhidrosis usually manifests in early life and has more localized symptoms.

Symptoms of primary hyperhidrosis intensify under the influence of factors such as:

anxiety or stress,
high temperatures,
physical exertion,
smoking,
drinking alcohol,
consuming spicy foods.

On the other hand, secondary excessive sweating results from systemic states or diseases, e.g., neurological ones. It can also be related to taking certain medications.

What does the treatment for hyperhidrosis look like?

Primary and secondary hyperhidrosis require different therapies. In treating secondary hyperhidrosis, the aim is to eliminate the cause of the disorder.

However, the approach to primary hyperhidrosis should start with lifestyle changes. Individuals with excessive sweating should avoid alcohol, spicy foods, and wearing non-breathable clothing.

In the therapy of primary excessive sweating, initially recommended are antiperspirants in the form of creams, gels, liquids, or powders. If local treatment of hyperhidrosis does not yield satisfactory results, therapy with oral preparations or surgical treatment, and subsequently, operative measures are recommended. Our aesthetic medicine clinic most often proposes treatment of hyperhidrosis with botulinum toxin (neuromodulator).

What is botulinum toxin?

Botulinum toxin is a neurotoxin produced by Clostridium botulinum bacteria. It is used in neurology, ophthalmology, and aesthetic medicine – for the removal of wrinkles. Injecting botulinum toxin into sweat glands temporarily blocks their activity, hence the drug can also be used in the therapy of excessive sweating. Treatments for hyperhidrosis are performed in the areas of the armpits, hands, feet, face, or hairy scalp.

How do we treat hyperhidrosis at Dr Parda Piaseczno clinic?

Before the procedure using botulinum toxin, we perform the so-called Minor test. Thanks to this test, which uses iodine and starch, the area requiring treatment can be precisely determined. The procedure involves a series of injections in the area of excessive sweating. Depending on the treated area, the procedure is performed under local anesthesia or with the use of a block.

Are there any contraindications to the procedure?

Procedures using botulinum toxin, when performed correctly, are safe. Our Dr Parda Piaseczno aesthetic medicine clinic performs them even on children. However, there are certain contraindications to treatments with neuromodulator.

Procedures are not performed in the case of myasthenia and allergy to albumin. Treatments are also not conducted on women during pregnancy and lactation, nor on patients undergoing antibiotic therapy and diseases with fever.

The procedure is also not indicated for treating excessive sweating of the hands in individuals performing precise manual work. Botulinum toxin is also not used in patients with secondary hyperhidrosis.

What are the effects of the botulinum toxin treatment?

After the procedure, sweating in the treated area disappears. The treatment provides more lasting effects than antiperspirants. It is minimally invasive and does not involve side effects that may result from the use of oral medications or surgery. The results of the botulinum toxin procedure last on average 6-9 months. The treatment requires repetition. Undergoing the procedures multiple times may extend the therapeutic effect.