Do not let excessive sweating stain your personality
By Dr. Indu Ballani, Dermatologist, Delhi
The
days of sweltering heat are here and we are already running for cover.
One of the most significant problems associated with summers is
sweating. Apart from the discomfort it causes, body odor is something
that can put off anybody. As if the summer heat is not enough,
some people are unfortunate to have overactive sweat glands, a syndrome
known as hyperhidrosis.
The
uncontrollable sweating can lead to significant discomfort, both
physical and emotional. When excessive sweating affects the hands, feet,
and armpits, it's called primary or focal hyperhidrosis. Primary
hyperhidrosis affects 2 - 3% of the population, yet less than 40% of
patients with this condition seek medical advice. In the majority of
primary hyperhidrosis cases, no cause can be found. It seems to run in
families. If the sweating occurs as a result of another medical
condition, it is called secondary hyperhidrosis. The sweating may be all
over the body, or it may be in one area. In fact, people with
hyperhidrosis may sweat even when the temperature is cool or when they
are at rest.
When administered under the arms, Botulinum
toxin type A, popularly known as Botox, can help affected people keep
sweating at bay. It works at the nerves of overactive sweat glands and
relaxes them, significantly cutting down on sweat.
Botox
is FDA approved for the treatment of severe underarm sweating, a
condition called primary axillary hyperhidrosis. Small doses of purified
botulinum toxin injected into the underarm temporarily block the nerves
that stimulate sweating. For axillary hyperhidrosis, this is the best
option as relief lasts 4 - 6 months and helps control body odor.
Also
for focal hyperhidrosis, like excessive sweating on forehead area or
face, Meso Botox is the best solution. Here diluted botox is injected
into the dermis to decrease sweating.
Some other options are:
Antiperspirants: Excessive
sweating may be controlled with strong anti-perspirants, which plug the
sweat ducts. Products containing 10% to 20% aluminum chloride
hexahydrate are the first line of treatment for underarm sweating. Some
patients may be prescribed a product containing a higher dose of
aluminum chloride, which is applied nightly onto the affected areas.
Antiperspirants can cause skin irritation, and large doses of aluminum
chloride can damage clothing. Note: Deodorants do not prevent sweating,
but are helpful in reducing body odor.
Medication: Anticholinergics
drugs, such as glycopyrrolate (Robinul, Robinul-Forte), help to prevent
the stimulation of sweat glands. Although effective for some patients,
these drugs have not been studied as well as other treatments. Side
effects include dry mouth, dizziness, and problems with urination.
Beta-blockers or benzodiazepines may help reduce stress-related
sweating.
Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS): In
severe cases, a minimally-invasive surgical procedure called
sympathectomy may be recommended when other treatments fail. The
procedure turns off the signal that tells the body to sweat excessively.
It is usually done on patients whose palms sweat much more heavily than
normal. It may also be used to treat extreme sweating of the face. ETS
does not work as well for those with excessive armpit sweating.
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