Try SweatBlock Antiperspirant Towelettes

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Hyperhidrosis Treatment

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Hyperhidrosis Treatment

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Hyperhidrosis - Hyperhidrosis Treatment

People suffering from hyperhidrosis often feel embarrassed because of their condition. This not only affects their self-esteem but also affects their social life. The patients often turn into social recluse and their inter-personal relationships are also affected. The symptoms may force a person to change his career as well as his leisure time activities. Although the condition affects nearly 3% of the world population, less than 40% of those affected seek medical advice to get rid of their symptoms.

Once the diagnosis of hyperhidrosis has been confirmed, your doctor may advise you various treatment modalities depending upon the severity of your symptoms. The different forms of treatment available for hyperhidrosis include:

  • Antiperspirants
  • Medications
  • Iontophoresis
  • Botox
  • Hyperhidrosis surgery

Antiperspirants

Antiperspirants act by blocking sweat production from the various eccrine and apocrine glands responsible for sweat production. Antiperspirants, containing 10 to 20% aluminum chloride, are easily available over the counter, and are generally the first line of treatment for hyperhidrosis. However, if one does not find these over the counter products much useful, then he can go for prescription antiperspirants like Drysol or Xertac AC.

Drysol consists of 20% aluminum chloride dissolved in anhydrous ethyl alcohol. It is found to be effective in treating axillary as well as palmar hyperhidrosis. Another prescription antiperspirant commonly used is Xertac AC, though its efficacy is less compared to Drysol. These antiperspirants work best when applied over completely dry skin, during night and left for at least six hours. They should then be washed off in the morning. Other antiperspirants like solution of tannic acid in ethanol or formalin are also useful but can result in allergic sensitivity in many patients. Certain physicians recommend topical corticosteroids to reduce the skin irritation.

Medications

Anticholinergic drugs, which block the action of acetylcholine, are the most commonly used medicines in the treatment of hyperhidrosis. Glycopyrrolate, which is commercially available as Robinul and Robinul-Forte, is one such anticholinergic drug. It is initially prescribed as 1 to 2 mg one to three times daily but its dose has to be gradually increased to be effective. Relief from symptoms usually takes place in about two weeks. However, at higher doses, its many side effects like dryness of mouth, blurry vision, urinary retention, constipation, dizziness and confusion become evident. Certain topical anticholinergic medications are also available but they are not as useful as they are poorly absorbed through the skin.

Beta-blockers like propranolol are used to treat anxiety related hyperhidrosis but may cause hypotension and bradycardia.

Iontophoresis

This is a FDA approved procedure, most suitable for palmo-plantar hyperhidrosis. During the procedure, the patient’s hands and feet are immersed in tap water and a mild electric current is passed through the water. This blocks the eccrine glands temporarily and provides relief from the symptoms of hyperhidrosis. But the main drawback of this procedure is that the procedure has to be carried out in several sessions. Initially the patient is subjected to a session of 15 to 30 minutes once daily for two to three weeks, and then followed by less frequent maintenance therapy. Certain patients complain of dryness of skin and blistering as a side effect.

Botox

Botulinum toxin type A (Botox) works best for axillary hyperhidrosis. In this FDA approved procedure, Botox is injected at several sites in the underarm to block the nerve responsible for stimulating the sweat glands. The procedure has to be repeated every six months, and can result in temporary paralysis.

Hyperhidrosis surgery

If none of the above methods is successful, then the patient has to go for a minimally invasive surgery called as endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy, to get relief from the symptoms of hyperhidrosis.

More On Hyperhidrosis Surgery

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Hyperhidrosis - Hyperhidrosis Surgery

Hyperhidrosis surgery is the last resort available to the patients suffering from uncontrolled hyperhidrosis. The surgery is usually done when all other treatment modalities have failed to provide relief from the symptoms. Three forms of surgeries are available for treating hyperhidrosis. They include:

  • Sympathectomy
  • Sympathotomy
  • Removal of the sweat glands of the affected area- either surgically or by liposuction

Sympathectomy

The over-activity of the sympathetic nerves present in the chest cavity results in the symptoms of hyperhidrosis. Interrupting these nerves surgically is called sympathectomy and is an effective modality for the treatment of hyperhidrosis. It is one of the earliest forms of treatment available for the condition and has been employed since 1920. Earlier, sympathectomy was done after opening the chest cavity. However, nowadays the procedure is done through a minimally invasive method of endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS).

During ETS, the surgeon approaches the thoracic cavity through keyhole incisions made in the underarm. The sympathetic nerves present in the thoracic cavity may be cut, clamped or resected.

Earlier, the surgeons used to cut large portions of the sympathetic nerves. However, these days, surgeons like to operate upon specific segments of the sympathetic nerves depending upon the problem area. While T2 segment of the sympathetic nerve is responsible for facial sweating, T3and T4 segments for palmar sweating, and T4, T5 segments for axillary sweating.

The surgeons can either clamp the sympathetic nerve at the desired segment by means of titanium clamps or cut the nerve by means of scissors or electro cautery. However, it is difficult to resurrect the sympathetic chain in case the nerve is cut.

Sympathectomy is extremely effecting in treating hyperhidrosis of the face and palms. However, it is not so effective in cases of axillary hyperhidrosis and hyperhidrosis of feet.

One of the major side effects of ETS is compensatory hyperhidrosis. It is excessive sweating in lower chest, abdomen, legs and thigh region and may be associated with hypersensitivity to hot or cold. Although all patients undergoing ETS experience some degree of compensatory hyperhidrosis, its severity largely depends upon the length of sympathetic nerve removed. In the newer surgical techniques, the length of nerve resected is minimal and therefore, compensatory hyperhidrosis is also less. Clamping method of ETS offers the additional benefit that the clamp can be removed in case patient suffers from severe compensatory hyperhidrosis. However, the removal of clamp should be undertaken within a few months following the ETS. Otherwise, the chances of getting cured of compensatory hyperhidrosis reduce considerably.

Apart from the compensatory hyperhidrosis, other side effects of ETS include the problems associated with any other surgery like bleeding, infection, pain, etc. However some patients may also suffer from gustatory sweating or Horner’s syndrome.

Sympathotomy

This is a relatively new procedure wherein two clusters of ganglions present on the sympathetic nerve are disconnected. This interrupts the nerve signals without removing any part of the sympathetic nerve. This operation has an added advantage that the procedure is not associated with compensatory hyperhidrosis. This operation is also more beneficial for patients suffering from palmar hyperhidrosis.

Removal of sweat glands by surgery or liposuction

The operation is usually done under local anesthesia and is the preferred mode for treating axillary hyperhidrosis. During this operation, the sweat glands of the axilla are either excised or removed by means of liposuction. The operation is associated with some degree of scarring which can restrict the movement of the arms.

Depending upon the type of hyperhidrosis and its severity, the surgeon decides the best form of surgery for the concerned patient. In most of the cases, patients get rid of their symptoms to a large degree following hyperhidrosis surgery.

Hyperhidrosis Causes

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Hyperhidrosis

Our body adopts several mechanisms to control its temperature. One of these mechanisms is by way of sweating. Sweat is produced through millions of sweat glands, also called as eccrine glands, located in the skin, all over our body. The maximum density of the sweat glands is on the palms, soles, armpits, groin and face. Sweating is an involuntary process controlled by the sympathetic nervous system.

Normally, sweat glands are activated in case of hyperthermia, after a workout or in conditions leading to anxiety. However, there are times when the sympathetic nervous system may become overactive and send signals to the sweat glands even in the absence of these precipitating conditions. Or, the sweat glands may work overtime as a consequence of some underlying pathology. In both these scenarios, the person sweats more than normal, a condition known as hyperhidrosis or sudorrhea.

Hyperhidrosis can be either primary or secondary depending upon its cause.

Primary Hyperhidrosis affects 2 to 3% of the population and is idiopathic in nature, i.e. its cause is not known. It is found to run in families. Primary hyperhidrosis is often limited to a specific region of the body, e.g. it can affect the palms and soles (palmo-plantar hyperhidrosis), face (facial hyperhidrosis), or the axilla (axillary hyperhidrosis). Localized hyperhidrosis usually occurs because of abnormal distribution of sweat glands. It may also be a result of a vascular pathology or it can occur when the sympathetic nerves to that particular area regenerate abnormally following their disruption due to some other reason. This form of hyperhidrosis usually begins quite early in the life, i.e. during childhood or early adolescence. Palmo-plantar variant of local hyperhidrosis is transmitted genetically through autosomal dominant genes.

Secondary Hyperhidrosis occurs as a result of some other medical condition afflicting the patient or due a dys-regulation of the autonomic nervous system. It usually starts in adulthood and one should look for specific disease or medicine that may be behind it. Secondary hyperhidrosis may be caused in multiple conditions. Some of these conditions include:

1. Physiological conditions like

  • Pregnancy
  • Menopause

2. Neurological conditions like

  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Arnold- Chiari malformation
  • Injury to the spinal cord
  • Reflex dystrophy of sympathetic nerves

Neurological conditions are usually associated with asymmetrical hyperhidrosis.

3. Metabolic conditions like

  • Diabetes mellitus
  • Hyperthyroidism
  • Gout
  • Pretibial myxedema

4. Cancers like leukemia

5. Carcinoid tumors

6. Pheocytochroma

7. Infectious diseases like tuberculosis and HIV, wherein hyperhidrosis is usually nocturnal

8. Hodgkin disease

9. Febrile illnesses

10. Diseases of the respiratory system

11. Diseases of the heart

12. Acromegaly

13. Stroke

14. Auto immune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis

15. Problems like alcoholism

16. Psychiatric and anxiety disorders

17. Herpes Zoster parotitis

18. Parotid abscess

Apart from these systemic ailments, various medications have also been found to be associated with development of symptoms of hyperhidrosis. Some of the important medications which can cause this condition include:

Psychiatric medications like tricyclic antidepressants and serotonin reuptake inhibitors

  • Physotigmine
  • Antihypertensive medications like propranolol
  • Certain antibiotics
  • Medications for treating conditions like dry mouth, etc.
  • Tamoxifen, which is used in the treatment of breast cancer

Thus, we see that there could be any of these conditions which may give rise to hyperhidrosis. Therefore, whenever one complains of development of excessive sweating in the absence of an immediate provocative factor, in late adulthood, the treating physician should always keep in mind the possibility of some underlying general or metabolic condition, or some medication as the reason behind it.

Axillary Hyperhidrosis

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Axillary Hyperhidrosis

Profuse sweating in the armpit regions in the absence of any febrile illness, exertion or exercise is called as axillary hyperhidrosis. The sweating usually occurs without any stimulation or in the presence of any anxiety precipitating condition. It usually begins in adolescent years and can be very embarrassing. Copious amounts of sweat under the armpits can ruin one’s clothes leaving large concentric wet circles on them. People suffering from this condition cannot wear light color clothes and certain fabrics like silk, etc. which tend to stain easily. And since it generally affects teenagers, it hurts their self-esteem and often turns them into social recluses.

Hyperhidrosis of the axilla is a result of excessive stimulation of enlarged and hyperactive apocrine glands. The sweat is usually colorless and odorless but may develop an offensive odor secondary to development of bacterial infection.
Axillary hyperhidrosis is generally a bilateral condition affecting the sweat glands of both the axillae. On rare occasions, however, it may be unilateral. Axillary hyperhidrosis may occur as a local hyperhidrosis or it may occur along with hyperhidrosis of palms or face.

It is important to identify whether the hyperhidrosis of axilla is primary or secondary in nature before embarking on any kind of treatment. It is essential to conduct various laboratory tests to rule out the different causes of secondary axillary hyperhidrosis, especially if the hyperhidrosis is unilateral or develops late during adulthood. In case any underlying medical condition is found, treating it may cure hyperhidrosis too. However, if no such pathology is found, the condition is labeled as primary axillary hyperhidrosis.

The various treatment modalities for treating primary axillary hyperhidrosis include:

  1. Antiperspirants
  2. Anticholinergic medicines
  3. Botox
  4. Surgery

Antiperspirants
They are the first line of treatment in case of axillary hyperhidrosis. Usually antiperspirants containing aluminum chloride are used to block the overactive apocrine glands. When over the counter antiperspirants do not work, prescription antiperspirants like Drysol or Xertac AC which contain around 20% of aluminum chloride in ethyl alcohol are used. These are best applied after cleaning and drying the skin of the axilla, before sleeping, and left in place for at least 6 hours. As they may produce skin irritation, they are washed off in the morning. In some patients where skin irritation is troublesome, topical cortisone ointments are prescribed for local application.

Anticholinergic medicines
Acetylcholine released from the sympathetic nerves is responsible for stimulating the sweat glands to produce sweat. Therefore, anticholinergic medicines may be considered, though they come with their fair share of deleterious effects.

Botox
Botox injections or injections of Botulinum toxin A is another widely used form of treatment for axillary hyperhidrosis. A dose of 100 U of Botox is injected at 10 to 12 sites in the armpits. It blocks the release of acetylcholine from the sympathetic neurons and thus prevents the stimulation of apocrine glands to release sweat. It is highly effective but has to be repeated after every 6 to 9 months. Cost of treatment is a major hindrance for many patients.

Surgery
Surgery for axillary hyperhidrosis is usually of two types:

  • Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy
  • Adenectomy

Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy involves approaching the thoracic cavity through small incisions made in the armpit and interrupting the sympathetic nerves by clamping, cutting or resection. This form of surgery is normally done in subjects who have axillary hyperhidrosis in addition to hyperhidrosis of other parts as well and that too when all other treatment modalities have failed.

Adenectomy is the surgical removal of the affected apocrine glands and is effective when hyperhidrosis is limited to the axillary region.

However, both the surgical procedures may be associated with side effects like scarring of skin or development of a hematoma.

Reducing Excessive Sweating And Body Odor

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Excessive Sweating

Every human sweats. Body odor is something which we all battle at one time or another. Both of these can cause problems within the same day. For the most part these problems are only temporary and are easy to fix. However, for some people dealing with excessive sweating and body odor is an every day battle. This can make life very hard. Embarrassment in the form of funky smells, sweat stains and others must be dealt with almost daily. There are ways to control these problems, fortunately. Here are some tips to help you combat these issues.

Locate an acceptable antiperspirant or deodorant. If excessive sweat is your problem you will want to go with an antiperspirant. This is due to the merchandise being able to aid in the reduction of your sweating.

It restrains the sweat glands that have been covered up by its application. If you suffer more with displeasing body odor, you’ll need to choose a decent deodorant. This product helps disguise the unpleasantness of body odor with a better smelling substance. It will probably take some trial and error but you should find something that works eventually. Consult your physician if none of the over the counter merchandise is working for you. How is your weight? Not everyone wants to think about their weight. The simple fact is, however, that the more you weigh, the more you are likely to suffer from excessive sweating. It’s simply a more strenuous task to get around when you are overweight. We are not saying this to be harsh. It’s only the truth. The most basic actions take a great deal of effort when you weigh a lot. As your actions take more effort, you are going to sweat more and possibly have body odor also. Losing some weight should be your first order of business to help manage your excessive sweating and body odor.

Once you have showered and toweled dry you can apply talcum powder to most of your body to help stay drier. Yes this may make you feel like you are regressing to your infancy. The simple fact is, however, that talcum powder is good for absorbing moisture and odors. You should focus your powdering skills on those areas that sweat the most to help absorb excess sweat and stop that stinky smell. There are even scented talcum powders now that you can use in the place of a body spray or perfume!

Sweating is not something most people enjoy. For most people, though, it is something that is not extreme or a cause for social discomfort. If you suffer from excessive sweating and body odor, however, it can have a major impact on your daily life. Thankfully there are many methods for counteracting excessive sweating and body odor. At first, you can try some over the counter remedies to see if these help control your sweating. If none of these work for you, a doctor can help you figure out how to treat these conditions medicinally. Sooner or later, you’ll come up with a solution that works for you and you can get on with your life.

Hyperhidrosis Surgery

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General - Hyperhidrosis Surgery

Welcome to our website. This website is created to address excessive sweating like sweaty palms and sweaty feet. When natural treatment does not work, we may need to look at Hyperhidrosis surgery.

You may have tried different ways to reduce sweaty palms and feet, but it may not work well. When you are nervous, you start to sweat your palms. Even before you start running, you already develop sweat.

I know how it feels because have mild sweaty palm occurrence every time I go for a physical exercise. My heart goes out to those who have more serious condition than mine and the only possible solution is to go for surgery.

The good thing is that I need not go for such surgery but after looking for solutions and discussion with the doctors, I would like to share what I found in this website.

I will be adding more information about Hyperhidrosis surgery soon so do stay with me for a while.