What is Excessive Sweating?
Excessive sweating is most often caused by a condition known as hyperhidrosis. This condition occurs when the sweat glands overwork, causing the body to sweat more than is needed to regulate body temperature. Due to these overactive sweat glands, individuals with hyperhidrosis may sweat when they are at rest, in cool temperatures, or at other times they would not be expected to sweat.
There are two main types of hyperhidrosis, including:
Primary Hyperhidrosis: This is the most common form of hyperhidrosis and is a chronic skin condition caused by a genetic mutation. It most commonly affects the armpits, feet, hands, and face and usually begins before the age of 25.
Secondary Hyperhidrosis: This form of excessive sweating is caused by an underlying medical condition or is a side effect of a medication. This form of hyperhidrosis may cause sweating during sleeping.
What Causes Excessive Sweating?
Hyperhidrosis can be caused by overactive sweat glands. Eccrine sweat glands create sweat that cools down the body when it becomes overheated. This process is triggered when an individual exercises or is nervous. For those with hyperhidrosis, the eccrine glands activate and produce sweat more often than when the body is hot. Excess sweating may occur at random times of the day.
Hyperhidrosis Treatment Options
Excessive sweating, or hyperhidrosis, can be a very debilitating condition. Temporary treatment options include prescription-grade antiperspirants, oral medications, and botulinum toxin injections into the axilla. At UnionDerm, we also offer a more permanent option known as MiraDry.
MiraDry
If you experience unwanted excessive sweating, stained clothing, or underarm sweat breakouts, then you may be a good candidate for the MiraDry procedure. MiraDry is the latest non-invasive technology that provides a significant reduction of underarm sweat and the only non-invasive technology approved by the FDA for providing a safe and lasting solution to excessive underarm sweating.
The MiraDry device uses controlled energy to eliminate sweat glands, providing lasting results since sweat glands do not regenerate. Only 2 percent of the 4 million sweat glands in the human body are found in the underarms, and treating these sweat glands with MiraDry does not affect the body’s ability to cool itself. MiraDry is designed for patients with excessive underarm sweating (primary axillary hyperhidrosis) over the age of 18, and it cannot be used on minors or anywhere else on the body.
Botox for Excessive Sweating
Botulinum toxin, or Botox, is an FDA-approved treatment for hyperhidrosis. By skillfully injecting Botox into the skin of the affected area, sweat production can be halted for months at a time. Side effects are minimal, and results can last from 6-12 months. In order to maintain results, repeat treatments are necessary.
You may be a good candidate for Botox to treat your hyperhidrosis symptoms if your sweating has not improved with prescription antiperspirants.
Schedule a Consultation
If you are seeking treatment for hyperhidrosis symptoms, contact UnionDerm today. We will be happy to schedule your consultation appointment with one of our skilled physicians to discuss your treatment options at our New York City or Hamptons locations.
