Excessive sweating

Excessive sweating can be a very troubling condition which can involve various parts of the body. Most commonly this affects the armpit area with patients affected by continuous wet patches on their clothing and excessive odour.

One of the most effective treatments is Botox® injections to stop the glands from secreting sweat. Although these injections are commonly associated with anti-wrinkle treatments on the face they also work to stop sweating.

The way that these injections work is to block a neurotransmitter chemical in the nerves which stimulate the sweat production from the sweat glands. When the injections are administered through the skin the botulinum toxin spreads to the nerves around the sweat glands and blocks the action of the sweat gland to secrete sweat. The effect is not permanent since the body will eventually breakdown the botulinum toxin and the nerves return to functioning normally.

The duration of action varies on average from 4 to 6 months and depends on how severe the problem is in the first place . However, once the effect wears off the sweating will return to previous levels. As a result of this repeat injections are required.

Some patients have injections just once a year to cover the summer months but this is usually only in individuals who have normal or mild excess levels of sweating. In most patients with true hyperhidrosis a course of two to three injections is required over the year to continuously maintain suppression of sweat production. In patients who require repeat treatment we offer an annual package at a reduced price. More information is available by contacting us on the form below.

These injections can also help for excess sweating on the forehead, hands and the feet.

A distinction needs to be made between Hyperhidrosis and another more serious condition called hidradentis suppurativa. In hidradenitis there is inflammation and recurrent infections of the sweat glands which requires treatment with certain types of drug therapy and in severe cases may even need surgery. However, in mild cases of hidradenitis botox injections may help to control or limit the severity of the disease.