What hyperhidrosis is
Primary hyperhidrosis appears without a specific cause, usually from a young age, and affects the underarms, palms, soles or face symmetrically. Sweat can stain clothes and make a handshake or writing difficult, and it often has a real impact on social and working life.
Generalised sweating, or sweating that starts suddenly in adulthood, may have a medical cause (hormonal, infectious or drug-related) and should be assessed before treatment.
How the treatment works
Botulinum toxin, injected superficially into the skin of the affected area, temporarily blocks the nerve signals that stimulate the sweat glands. Sweating in the treated area drops significantly, without affecting the body’s overall ability to cool down.
How it is done
The sweating area can be marked beforehand with a simple test. Several small superficial injections are made in a regular grid. In the underarms discomfort is minimal; for the more sensitive palms and soles, local anaesthesia is used. The treatment takes 30–45 minutes.
Results
The effect appears after a few days and usually lasts 4 to 12 months, typically longer in the underarms than on the palms.
Risks and things to know
- small bruises or tenderness at the injection sites;
- on the palms, mild and temporary hand weakness;
- compensatory sweating elsewhere, which is rare after this treatment.
The contraindications are the same as for any botulinum toxin treatment (pregnancy, breastfeeding, neuromuscular disease).
