Hyperhidrosis or excessive sweating is a common disorder affecting many people. Palmar hyperhidrosis or sweaty palms is the most common form of hyperhidrosis, causing excessive sweating of the hands. Whilst excessive sweating in the underarms causes body odor (BO).
Sweating is often uncontrollable, embarrassing and not anticipated . Normal sweating is needed for thermal regulation however in people suffering from hyperhidrosis, sweating exceeds the bodys need for physiological thermal regulation.
Hyperhidrosis is an inherited problem that has been seen in almost every ethnic group. People don’t get used to living with hyperhidrosis but they continue to suffer throughout their lives from it.
Hyperhidrosis can have severe physiological consequences such as cold and clammy hands, dehydration, and skin infections secondary to maceration of the skin and body odor. These conditions can have devastating emotional effects on one’s individual life.
Many treatments have been used in the past including talcum powder, deodorants, and antiperspirants. For the lucky few they work. For others a trip to the doctor might have brought them Iontophoresis.
1) Botox or Botolinium Toxin A therapy is a new and very effective treatment through injections to treat hyperhidrosis. It acts by blocking the impulse at the nerve endings, which suppplies the small muscles that are adjacent to the sweat glands. This controls expulsion of the sweat to the skin surface. The effects last from six to eight months so you will need to have about one to two treatments a year. Botox injection is probably the best treatment for sweaty palms and soles, as well as underarms.
2) SmartLipo, on the other hand is the most effective method for permanent reduction of excessive sweating.The sweat glands are inactivated by light energy released from the laser opticfiber. Effect is permanent and there is no need of repeating the procedure. A general anesthetic is also not necessary as the SmartLipo treatment can be carried out under only local anesteshia, enabling you to return to your routine after just one hour.
3) Iontophoresis is an older procedure and is not easily available and therefore shall not be discussed.
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