Hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating. Sweating is one of the most important ways in which
the body loses heat, however, people with hyperhidrosis produce sweat in amounts far
greater than needed to control their temperature. It is thought that about 0.5% of the
population (or about one person in 200) has some form of hyperhidrosis.
There are two main types of hyperhidrosis. The more common type is focal hyperhidrosis
which can affect the armpits (Axillary Hyperhidrosis), hands, feet or face. Generalised
hyperhidrosis is less common, affecting the whole body and usually caused by another
illness such as infection, diabetes or hyperthyroidism. When the illness is treated, the
excessive sweating usually stops.
Botox is a treatment given by injection into the Skin. It is licensed for the treatment
of under-arm sweating (axillary hyperhidrosis). Small doses are injected into the skin
which blocks the action of the nerves that supply the eccrine glands; this prevents the
glands from producing sweat.
The procedure takes about 30 minutes. An extremely fine needle is used to inject Botox
into 10-15 places about 1cm apart and spread evenly in each armpit. This may cause
slight discomfort during some injections but on the whole the procedure is relatively
painless.
You may notice some redness and swelling under the underarm region but this normally
subsides in a few hours. There should be no pain experienced after the treatment. You
should start to see some changes within a week but the best results will be apparent
between 10-14 days after the treatment.
Different people have different response to treatment, however a clinical trial showed
sweating was reduced by at least half in 95% of patients.
The effects will normally last between 4 and 7 months. In some patients the effects may
last up to 12 months or longer.