Hyperhidrosis

There is no definitive evidence that excessive sweating is genetic. This is a very common disorder, impacting roughly 3% of the population, or over a million individual people

Hyperhidrosis is not a dangerous condition in and of itself, and there is actually very little evidence to show a link between excessive sweating and dehydration.

That said, it can cause a serious impact on self-esteem and self-confidence, and have a negative effect on an individuals mental health and wellbeing

Aside from seeking treatment as indicated above, the best advice for limiting excess sweat is:

+ Use a strong anti perspirant instead of deodorant
+ Wear loose fitting clothes
+ Wear armpit shields or sweat shields to protect your clothing
+ Wear socks that absorb moisture and change at least twice a day
+ Wear leather shoes, and use different pair each day
+ Avoid alcohol, spicy food or any activity likely to make your sweating worse

At the Cadogan Clinic our preferred method of treating hyperhidrosis or excessive sweating is via two methods:

+ the administration of Botox® to the overactive sweat glands. The protein acts by blocking excess nerve signals to the sweat glands, thus reducing the amount of sweat the body releases
+The procedure blocks sweat from coming out of the sweat glands, temporarily stopping sweating. Treatments must be done indefinitely to maintain desired results

Botox® is more appropriate and very effective for axillary hyperhidrosis.

The area of maximum sweating is usually the hair-bearing vault and is delineated by the Starch-iodine test the first time the treatment is performed.

This area is marked as a grid with squares of approximately 1x1 cm and a small amount of diluted Botox injected superficially into the skin of each square.

here is a small pinprick when the injections are given and local anaesthetic cream can be used if you have particularly sensitive skin.

There is no down time after the treatment and the benefits gradually increase over the first 2 weeks after treatment. The effects of reducing sweating can last up to a year.

You will need just one session of Botox® treatment to deliver a major reduction in sweating for a period of up to 12 months, after which many patients return for further treatment. You will first notice a significant reduction in sweating after 2 weeks of treatment.

Each treatment comprises a series of shallow injections on the target site, just below the skin surface each of which will feel like a little pinprick.

Iontophoresis is a safe and painless non-invasive treatment for Hyperhidrosis-excess, unwanted sweating.

During the treatment, the affected part of the body - hands or feet - are placed in a shallow basin of water.

Your nurse turns the machine on and increases the current until you feel a slight tingling sensation on your skin for the duration of the treatment which is 20 minutes. It does not cause any pain.

The process is repeated 7 times over 20 or so days.

Following treatment, some people may experience skin dryness and irritation but these are mild side effects easily treated with a moisturising cream or mild hydrocortisone.

With Iontophoresis, the protocol is for 7 treatments over 4 weeks and these must be done regularly and before sweating increases to maintain results. A typical treatment programme will usually follow a format such as:

+ Week 1: 3 treatments (20mins for hands, 30 mins for feet)
+ Week 2: 2 treatments
+ Week 3: 1 treatment
+ Week 4: 1 treatment

Hyperhidrosis can be extremely effectively treated.

Following a prescribed Botox ® injection into the sweat glands, you can expect a major reduction in sweating for a period of between 6 and 12 months, after which you may choose to have further treatment.

The treatment can be administered in a variety of areas, such as the underarms, hands, feet and forehead.

Hyperhidrosis can occasionally get better with age, but this is rare.

Your results are not permanent, but should last anywhere between 6 and 12 months.

If your aim is to reduce the embarrassment and inconvenience caused by overactive sweat glands but doesn't want an invasive surgical operation such as ETS (Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy) or liposuction, then either Iontophoresis or Botox® are safe and convenient options.

Iontophoresis is suitable if your hands and feet are affected by excessive sweating. It is a painless non-invasive treatment which is quick and easily performed in the outpatient setting. You need a series of treatments to start off with, an example would be 7 sessions in 22 days, after which you go for maintenance treatments once every 3 weeks or as necessary.

This procedure requires no downtime or recovery time and you can comfortably return to work after the treatment.

Botox injections are very effective for axillary hyperhidrosis and the effects usually last for up to 12 months. Thus, you should choose Botox if you want a once-off treatment for excessive sweating that is long lasting. The procedure is comfortable and you just feel little skin pricks with each injection and just like Iontophoresis, you will resume your normal activities immediately after the procedure.

Botox and Iontophoresis treatments are suitable for people who want treatment for excessive sweating with minimal side effects. There are no serious side effects associated with these techniques and this makes Botox and Iontophoresis the best option for people who wish to avoid surgery.

The Cadogan Clinic is based at 120 Sloane Street in Chelsea, just off Sloane Square and the Kings Road.

Our address is 120 Sloane Street, Chelsea, London, SW1X 9BW.

We are accessible by all major bus routes that pass through Sloane Square and Sloane Street, as well as Sloane Square tube station.

Local pay parking is available just around the corner from the Clinic on Cadogan Gate, Cadogan Square and Cadogan Gardens. Our local residential parking zone is the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea.