Approximately 3 percent of the population suffer from excess sweating.  The excess sweat can be generalized all over the body or in more targeted areas such as the armpits, palms of the hands, and soles of the feet.  This condition is called of excessive sweat is termed hyperhidrosis.  Excessive sweating becomes noticeable after puberty. Stressful situations such as examinations, job interviews, or an important date often aggravate the sweating. Sometimes, it takes almost nothing for the sweating to start and once it starts, it usually worsens until the affected person can get away from everyone else and cool down. Unfortunately, most over the counter antiperspirants do not control hyperhidrosis.

Treatments For Excessive Sweating

Aluminum Chloride Hexahydrate
Treatment aims to control the excessive sweating; it is not a permanent cure. A topical agent known as aluminum chloride hexahydrate in absolute alcohol is available in Canada without a prescription under the name of Drysol.

Other Treatment Options
Usually localized applications of aluminum chloride hexahydrate provide satisfactory sweat control. When this regime does not work, other options may include internal medications (such as anticholinergics), electrophoresis, a technique utilizing a device called the Drionic machine, dilute formalin (for sweaty feet). In very rare cases surgery is necessary to remove the sweat glands or cut the nerve responsible for their stimulation.

Neuromodulator Injections

Sweat Inhibiting or Neuromodulator Injections, such as botox,  have proven to markedly reduce sweating for an average of 6 months after 1 or 2 treatments.

When used correctly, neuromodulators are highly effective therapy for excessive sweating and effects can last 6 months or more in the majority of patients. Patients who have had Botox injections for excessive sweating are amazed by the positive change such a simple treatment can have. They often tell us that Botox injections free them from their fear of social embarassment!

Neuromodulators are highly purified proteins that interfere with the transmission of nerve impulses to the sweat glands. Consequently, once the neuromodulator has been injected around the sweat glands, they can no longer sweat for 6 months or more. Eventually the body recovers its ability to transmit nerve impulses to the sweat glands. At that point, the sweat glands can be reinjected.

It’s a very simple process and patients are usually extremely happy with the results as it essentially eliminates the need to worry about the excessive sweating for many months at a time!

 

If you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact our clinic at (780)482-1414 to book a complimentary consultation.