WHEN THERE IS TOO MUCH SWEATING
Normally sweating is a vital process. In this way, the body rids itself of too much internal warmth and does not become overheated. In the process of sweating, the nerve ends send electrical impulses to the sweat glands, which causes them to produce sweat and to deliver it via small ducts to the skin surface. But two and a half million people (1-2%) in this country also sweat far too profusely on completely normal days.
Hyperhidrosis is the medical term for pathologically increased sweating (Greek: hyper = too much, hidros = water). Some people sweat excessively over their whole body (general hyperhidrosis). Others sweat excessively only in some locations on the body (localised hyperhidrosis), mostly the armpits (axillary hyperhidrosis), hands or feet (palmoplantar hyperhidrosis) or also the head.
OFTEN A DEODORANT IS NOT ENOUGH
Most commonly an attempt is made to prevent sweating of the hands, feet and armpits by using roll-ons or creams containing aluminium chloride salts. Aluminium chloride salts (generally 10-30%) should block the excretory ducts of the sweat glands and thus restrain the flow of sweat. The products are available in various strengths. Since the skin is already very sensitive due to sweating and the products are irritant, the skin can become red, itchy and oozing. However, these measures are often simply insufficient.
NON-SURGICAL PROCEDURES
Treatment with botulinum toxic A is today surely the safest and most reliable treatment for localised sweating. Botulinum toxin is injected into the skin through the sweat glands. This is done under local anaesthesia. Botulinum toxin inhibits the release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine from the nerve endings. Thus the sweat glands do not receive an “on” signal and sweat production is decreased. The nerve endings die off. As a rule, the treatment must be repeated after six to nine months because the damaged nerve endings grow back. If requested, private health insurance funds will very often cover the costs of the treatment.