BOTOX®/Hyperhidrosis
Help For Hyperhidrosis – BOTOX®
It affects what you wear. It affects how you feel. It affects how you look. It doesn’t have to. It is severe primary axillary hyperhidrosis (severe underarm sweating), and if you suffer with it, you know that it means a lot more than living with a little extra sweat – it can be a big embarrassment that can cause you to feel isolated, result in unnecessary anxiety, and interfere with your enjoyment of life. Again, it doesn’t have to, because there’s help right here in San Diego. Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition that is treatable with BOTOX®.
BOTOX® (botulinum toxin type A) has been safely administered to well over a million men and women to treat a variety of age-related skin conditions resulting from facial muscle contractions. On July 19, 2004, BOTOX® received approval from the FDA for an additional indication – the treatment of severe underarm sweating. If you live in San Diego, you don’t have to live with hyperhidrosis. La Jolla Dermatologist, Susan M. Stuart, M.D. can help. Schedule a consultation today by calling 858-623-6333.
What Is Hyperhidrosis & How Is It Treated?
The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for controlling the millions of sweat glands spread out across the soles of your feet, palms of your hands, your forehead, the cheeks on your face and under your arms. As maintaining a consistent internal body temperature is essential to your survival, the system responds immediately to both your physical activities and the environment by signaling for the appropriate release of cooling perspiration. For most people, this system works flawlessly; for many others, the system responds abnormally, signaling the glands to release up to five times the sweat needed to regulate body heat. When this happens, it is known as hyperhidrosis.
A great deal is known about hyperhidrosis: there are two types – primary focal (excessive sweating that is not caused by either medications or a medical condition) and secondary generalized; it can start as early as at childhood; and, as much as 3% of the population suffers from it. Although the precise reason as to why the nerves cause overactive sweat glands is not known, research indicates a genetic relationship.
So, what can you do to reduce excessive perspiration? While there’s no cure for hyperhidrosis, but there are at least ten forms of treatment:
- antiperspirants / deodorants
- herbal supplements
- liposuction
- Iontophoresis
- hypnosis
- lotions
- relaxation techniques
- oral medications
- acupuncture
- surgery
You can add BOTOX® to that list. Actually, you can cross everything else off of the list, and stick with the number one way to reduce the excessive sweating under the arms associated with primary focal hyperhidrosis.
How BOTOX® Treats Sweating Under the Arms
BOTOX® is a natural, purified protein that works by temporarily obstructing abnormal chemical signals, thus blocking the ability of the nerves to overstimulate your sweat glands. Since receiving FDA approval for the treatment of severe underarm sweating that cannot be effectively managed with topical agents, men and women who suffer from hyperhidrosis have found real, lasting relief:
- approximately one month following treatment, 91% of patients realized at least a 50% reduction in axillary (armpit) sweating
- decreased sweating lasted an average 201 days, requiring only 1 to 2 treatments per year
The procedure requires a simple series of local injections over the course of just a few minutes, once or twice a year. On the actual day of your treatment, you should avoid strenuous activities, as well as a sauna; you can return to work immediately. BOTOX® is not for those patients with either a neuromuscular disease or those taking certain medications.
BOTOX® has long been known as an effective way to reduce facial wrinkles; hopefully, it won’t be long before it’s also known as an equally effective way to reduce sweat associated with hyperhidrosis.
Although there’s no cure for hyperhidrosis, BOTOX® can successfully treat sweating under the arms. If you live in San Diego, there's no excuse not to schedule a consultation with La Jolla Dermatologist, Dr. Susan Stuart. For this or any of your skin care needs, just call 858-623-6333.
