Hyperhidrosis, also known as excessive sweating, is a common disorder that most people are concerned about and seek treatment to restore comfort and confidence. Excessive sweating presents differently in patients. If you experience excessive sweating of the underarms, you have axillary hyperhidrosis. Patients who sweat excessively from the palms and soles of the feet have palmoplantar hyperhidrosis. Understanding the different types of hyperhidrosis is critical in ensuring the development of appropriate treatment plans involving Alpharetta Miradry to address these concerns and restore a quality of life.
What causes hyperhidrosis?
There are multiple explanations for excessive sweating. Collaborating with an experienced care provider will help you determine the root cause of your concerns and promote the development of an appropriate treatment and management plan to eliminate the embarrassment associated with your condition and restore your confidence. Your doctor will perform a comprehensive physical examination to recognize the potential causes of your concerns. Most patients with underlying medical conditions, including neurologic, endocrine, infectious, and other systemic diseases, experience hyperhidrosis. However, healthy patients can also develop the condition. Analyzing other factors like mood and weather can help explain the reason for excessive sweating.
What is the treatment for hyperhidrosis?
The right hyperhidrosis treatment plan can help you achieve good results and improve your quality of life. However, a systematic evaluation of the causes and triggers of hyperhidrosis is key to guiding the appropriate treatment approach for achieving desired outcomes. The following are effective treatments for excessive sweating:
- Over-the-counter antiperspirants contain a low dose of metal salt (usually aluminum). This treatment plan is usually the most recommended due to its availability.
- Prescription-strength antiperspirants, which contain aluminum chloride hexahydrate. You will need to apply the prescribed treatment before going to bed for 2 to 3 nights. Afterward, you may apply the treatment at least once a week after that to maintain results.
- Glycopyrronium wipes with topical anticholinergics.
- Iontophoresis. This treatment plan blocks the sweat duct. Your physician will insert a device to pass ionized tap water through the skin using direct electricity during a treatment session. You may need several sessions, with each lasting about half an hour.
- Oral medications, Anticholinergics like glycopyrrolate reduce sweating.
- Botox (botulinum toxin)-A: Botox has received approval in the U.S. from the FDA as a treatment for excessive axillary (underarm) sweating. Your doctor will use a fine needle to inject a small amount of botox in a few spots in each armpit.
- miraDry: This treatment involves microwave energy to destroy sweat glands permanently. Local anesthesia is necessary to ensure comfort during the treatment. You may need to repeat the procedure severally to achieve an optimal effect.
- Lasers. Lasers can target and kill the underarm sweat glands by focusing a narrow beam of heat, destroying the cells and causing excessive sweating.
- Surgery. Your doctor may recommend a procedure called thoracic sympathectomy as a last resort. This treatment surgically interrupts the sympathetic nerves that cause sweating, thus eliminating concerns.
Excessive sweating can make life uncomfortable and embarrassing unless you seek treatment to address this health issue. Contact SafiraMD Medical Aesthetics and Wellness Center to talk to a specialist and determine the best treatment to eliminate excessive sweating and restore your well-being.
