Do you suffer from Hyperhidrosis (Excessive Sweating)?
Hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating, is a common and extremely distressing condition. It is estimated that nearly 3% of the population suffers from the condition. The areas of the body most often affected are the axillary areas (armpits), the hands or palms, the feet or soles of the feet, and in some cases excessive sweating on the face and forehead. In addition it is a condition which can run in families as 30-50% of people who suffer from hyperhidrosis report at least one or more family members likewise suffer from the condition.
Sweaty hands and sweaty armpits can lead to a number of very distressing social moments for those affected. One survey reported that nearly 50% of those affected felt their sweating had either a moderate to severe effect on them and caused limitations at work, meeting people (for example shaking hands with a new business client), and in romantic or intimate moments this condition can become very awkward (holding hands while walking, hugging, or holding someone you care about while having sweaty arms or hands). A full third of people with the condition reported that it interferes with their daily activities and causes frustration, leads to unhappiness, and even depression. A third of people felt at least moderately limited with regard to sexual activities or intimate moments, while 80% reported anxiety with respect to meeting people for the first time.
The sweat glands primarily responsible for excessive sweating are glands called eccrine sweat glands (there are also apocrine and apo-ecrrine glands but they are not as numerous as the eccrine glands). These glands are under control of a chemical transmitter called acetylcholine, and this is produced by our bodies. Botulinum toxin is a toxin made by a bacteria which blocks the long term release of the acetylcholine-the compound responsible for the excessive sweating.
This "toxin" can now be made pharmaceutically and is now a very useful tool when it is used in small amounts in the areas most affected by excessive sweating. It has been shown to be extremely effective in treating hyperhidrosis or excessive sweating, with patients reporting 98% satisfaction.
Generally, most individuals have excessive sweating from no serious health problem, but there are some cases in a few individuals who might have an underlying medical condition which can cause excessive sweating and would require some investigation, and there are other possible treatments for hyperhidrosis than Botox treatment (surgical, medications, Iontophoresis, each with advantages and disadvantages), therefore it is very important to see a doctor knowledgeable in the evaluation and choices for its treatment. The Doctors at Stamford Skin Clinic have experience in the evaluation of this distressing condition
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Hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating, is a common and extremely distressing condition. It is estimated that nearly 3% of the population suffers from the condition. The areas of the body most often affected are the axillary areas (armpits), the hands or palms, the feet or soles of the feet, and in some cases excessive sweating on the face and forehead. In addition it is a condition which can run in families as 30-50% of people who suffer from hyperhidrosis report at least one or more family members likewise suffer from the condition. Sweaty hands and sweaty armpits can lead to a number of very distressing social moments for those affected. One survey reported that nearly 50% of those affected felt their sweating had either a moderate to severe effect on them and caused limitations at work, meeting people (for example shaking hands with a new business client), and in romantic or intimate moments this condition can become very awkward (holding hands while walking, hugging, or holding someone you care about while having sweaty arms or hands). A full third of people with the condition reported that it interferes with their daily activities and causes frustration, leads to unhappiness, and even depression. A third of people felt at least moderately limited with regard to sexual activities or intimate moments, while 80% reported anxiety with respect to meeting people for the first time.
The sweat glands primarily responsible for excessive sweating are glands called eccrine sweat glands (there are also apocrine and apo-ecrrine glands but they are not as numerous as the eccrine glands). These glands are under control of a chemical transmitter called acetylcholine, and this is produced by our bodies. Botulinum toxin is a toxin made by a bacteria which blocks the long term release of the acetylcholine-the compound responsible for the excessive sweating. This "toxin" can now be made pharmaceutically and is now a very useful tool when it is used in small amounts in the areas most affected by excessive sweating. It has been shown to be extremely effective in treating hyperhidrosis or excessive sweating, with patients reporting 98% satisfaction.
Generally, most individuals have excessive sweating from no serious health problem, but there are some cases in a few individuals who might have an underlying medical condition which can cause excessive sweating and would require some investigation, and there are other possible treatments for hyperhidrosis than Botox treatment (surgical, medications, Iontophoresis, each with advantages and disadvantages), therefore it is very important to see a doctor knowledgeable in the evaluation and choices for its treatment. The Doctors at Stamford Skin Clinic have experience in the evaluation of this distressing condition
Read more
Dr. Mark L. Siefring M.D. M.S. ABIM