Excessive Sweating (Hyperhidrosis)

Excessive perspiration can be an extremely embarrassing condition, which can affect social and workplace interactions. Thankfully, it is now easily treated with Botox. Also called hyperhidrosis, the condition mainly affects the underarms but, in some people, palms and feet can also be excessively sweaty.

Clothing can be quickly stained, and there can be thousands of dollars spent on dry cleaning and replacement of clothing. Furthermore, sweaty palms can cause anxiety in social and workplace environments.

Botox For Excessive Sweating:
The Modern Solution

Botox is a natural purified protein, which works by preventing the presynaptic release of acetylcholine in sympathetic nerve endings associated with the eccrine sweat glands. In other words, they stop the muscle surrounding the sweat gland from squeezing out the sweat and is an effective treatment option for those suffering from hyperhidrosis.

Palm Clinic in Auckland, New Zealand has a team of expert doctors who specialise in Botox treatment for excessive sweating. The treatment costs a total of $1,600 for both armpits.

What causes excessive sweating?

Hyperhidrosis is caused by overactivity of eccrine sweat glands in the skin. The eccrine glands exist in various concentrations throughout the skin. They maintain body temperature within a narrow range in the face of external heat or increase in physical activity. Eccrine sweat evaporates on the surface of the skin and effects a transfer of heat, primarily by direct conduction from the vascular supply to the skin. Sweating can reach volumes measured in litres per hour. Although the glands are normal, there is an abnormal neurologic response to stimuli in the hypothalamic sweat centres. The eccrine sweat glands are concentrated in the palms, soles, and under the armpits (axillae), and number around 2 to 4 million per person.

Surrounding the eccrine glands are myoepithelial cells, which contract on stimulation from the sympathetic nerves. These nerves utilise acetylcholine as their neurochemical transmitter at the nerve endings. This is where the Botox works. Higher cortical functions in the brain (anxiety, stress etc) together with thermal stress induced by heat or exercise results in stimulation of the glands directly.

Sweaty Armpits (Axillary Hyperhidrosis)

Axillary hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating of the underarms and is a common problem for men and women. Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) is a condition where your body produces more perspiration than is needed to cool the body and maintain appropriate body temperature. This means excessive sweating even in cool temperatures and without physical exertion. Stress can aggravate the condition, but the sweating can occur with or without stress.

Excessive underarm sweating is a problem that can lead to extreme anxiety and self-consciousness. Bromhidrosis or osmidrosis are related problems in which underarm odour, with or without excessive sweating, is the main problem. Many treatments have been trialled for hyperhidrosis with varying degrees of success. The latest non-surgical technique is Botox treatment.

Botox works by relaxing the muscles around the sweat glands so that the perspiration is not squeezed out onto the skin. This works extremely well for around 6-12 months and can be life-changing for those with a significant problem.

Sweaty Palms

Have you worried about sweaty palms when you need to shake hands?
For some people this can affect confidence and self esteem and lead to difficulties in the workplace. The problem can be treated with botulinum toxin which switches off the excessive sweating for on average of 3-6 months.

Treatments involve injecting between 50-100 units of Botox into each palm (and fingers) depending on how bad the problem is. Most people start with 50 units per palm at a cost of $1,600 in total, with 100 units across both hands costing $2,100. 

Sweaty Feet

Sweaty feet can be an extremely embarrassing condition which can be improved with Botox injections. While Botox works particularly well for sweaty armpits and sweaty palms, the results for sweaty feet are much less predictable because of the thickness of the skin in this area.

Typically, you would need at least 100 units of Botox per foot at a total cost of $2,100 for both feet. Some people need even more than this and the duration of efficacy is very variable. For these reasons we only recommend treatment of sweaty feet in those people who are very distressed by the condition and are prepared to accept that despite the high costs the results are variable and can be disappointing in some cases.

Summary of Treatments for Excessive Sweating

• Botox. Botox is administered through a very fine needle into the affected skin. Sweating diminishes substantially within 48 hours and results can last from 6-12 months in the armpits but more typically 3-6 months for the palms. Botox is quick, simple, effective, and relatively painless. Treatments cost $1,600 to treat both underarms (50 units each side) and $1,600-$2,100 for the palms depending on whether we use 50 or 100 units per palm. Treatment takes around 20 minutes with a follow-up two weeks later if necessary.
• Traditional Treatment for Excessive Sweating. Traditional dermatology therapies have included aluminium salts used in cosmetic antiperspirants, iontophoresis or drugs such as glycopyrrolate. Human sweat is largely odourless but bacteria on the skin reacts with the sweat to create the odour. Deodorants work by temporarily killing bacteria and masking the odour with a fragrance whereas antiperspirants work by plugging the sweat gland usually with compounds that are an aluminium salt. Topical therapy has been limited in success. Drugs have unpleasant side effects such as blurred vision, dry mouth and limited effectiveness on sweating.
• Endoscopic sympathectomy involves cutting the sympathetic nerves that supply the sweat glands. This is performed through keyhole surgery and usually takes a few days to recover from strong flu-like symptoms. Compensatory sweating from other parts of the body after treatment can be a problem. Sympathectomy has a recognised complication rate including Horner’s syndrome, pneumothorax and injury to nerves.
• Direct excision of affected skin creates unwanted and unsightly scarring often with prolonged recovery and limitation of mobility.
• Treatment for excessive sweating of palms and feet is also possible with botulinum.