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Treatments for
Hyperhidrosis
In order to
know the treatment for hyperhidrosis, it is first necessary to find
out what causes hyperhidrosis. In plain terms hyperhidrosis occurs
when the sympathetic nervous system which regulates sweating becomes
overactive and sends transmissions to certain sweat glands to
produce excessive sweat.
The following
are the options available for hyperhidrosis:
1.
Antiperspirants
The usage of
antiperspirants is common among people with excessive sweat or
hyperhidrosis. Aluminium chloride is used in regular
antiperspirants. However, hyperhidrosis sufferers will need solution
with a much higher concentration to effectively treat the symptoms
of the condition.
2.
Iontophoresis
Iontophoresis
is a procedure that involves the administering of mild electrical
currents to the affected areas to thicken the outer layer of the
skin thus blocking the flow of sweat to the skin’s surface. Some
people have seen great results while others see no effect.
Furthermore, the device can be painful and the process is
time-consuming. It is not suitable for pregnant women and cardiac
and epileptic patients.
3. Botox
Botulinium
toxin type A injections are used to disable the sweat glands. The
effects can last from 4 – 9 months depending on the site of
injections. As for now, Botox has received FDA approval only for use
in the treatment of underarm or axillary hyperhidrosis. The
relatively high cost of treatment means not everyone has the ability
to access this treatment.
4. Surgical
procedures
In the
surgical procedure name endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS), the
main sympathetic chain that runs alongside the spine, often with the
addition of nearby ganglia, are either cut out, burned, or clamped.
Clamping is intended to permit the reversal of the procedure. It is
to be noted that the original sweating problem may recur due to
nerve regeneration, sometimes within 6 months of the procedure. |
