Hyperhidrosis - excessive sweating
Excessive sweating, known as hyperhidrosis, is a very unpleasant and shameful issue for those affected. Large sweat patches and light-coloured sweat marks under the armpits or wet hands give others the impression that they are overly stressed and insecure. It is therefore difficult for those affected to interact openly with other people in their private and professional lives, and their daily routine is characterised by repeated changes of clothing and other concealing measures.
What causes excessive sweating?
What causes excessive sweating? The sweat glands in our skin are connected to nerve endings of the involuntary (autonomic) nervous system. This controls numerous bodily functions without our conscious will, such as heart rhythm, blood pressure, digestion and heat balance. As a rule, sweating serves to release heat. During stress or unusually high activity of the autonomic nervous system, increased nerve impulses can be sent to the sweat glands, so that those affected start to sweat even when it is cold and, above all, without wanting to, where most of the sweat glands are found in the skin: in the armpit, on the hands and feet.
Treatment of hyperhidrosis with Botox
In almost all cases, a superficial injection of botulinum toxin type A into the uppermost layer of skin in the affected areas can achieve a reduction in sweat production of around 90% without surgery. The botulinum toxin inhibits the transmission of very specific nerve impulses to the sweat glands by blocking the release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which is responsible for this.
Other nerve functions such as feeling or touch through the skin are not affected. The results of the treatment generally last for a period of four to six months. If desired, the treatment can then be repeated.
Brief overview of treatment with Botox:
Duration of treatment:
15-45 minutes
Anaesthesia:
as a rule none
Follow-up treatment:
not special
Load restrictions:
none - 1 day
Surgical treatment of excessive sweating
Surgical suction and scraping (curettage) of the armpits using special, thin instruments, which promise a lasting improvement.
The surgical procedure can be performed on an outpatient basis and under local anaesthetic.
Brief overview of surgical treatment:
Operation duration:
45-70 minutes
Anaesthesia:
Anaesthesia or twilight sleep, combined with a local anaesthetic
Follow-up treatment:
none
Load restrictions:
1 - 2 weeks