Hyperhidrosis (Excessive Sweating)

Sweating is a vital bodily function that helps to regulate our temperature and keep us cool. Hyperhidrosis is a common condition (affecting 1-3% of the population in the UK) that results in excessive sweating. Hyperhidrosis is often referred to as “an invisible disability”.

Here at Jayne Taylor Aesthetics, we regularly see and are able to help, patients with Hyperhidrosis. You are never alone.

What is excessive when it comes to sweating?

There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to “grading” excessive sweating but it is usually accepted as excessive if your level of sweating significantly affects your normal daily life. If sweating prevents you from taking part in activities, from shaking hands to wearing certain items of clothing, from performing your job (you are unable to grip the tools of your trade) to spending a good portion of your life bathing, washing and changing your clothes then you may be suffering from Hyperhidrosis.

What causes Hyperhidrosis?

In the majority of cases, there is no obvious cause and it is thought to develop as a result of the nerves that directly supply the sweat glands becoming overactive. If, as in this situation, there is no obvious cause, it is called Primary Hyperhidrosis and this can be noticeable as early as infancy but usually rears its head in childhood, often following puberty. Genetics may also appear to play a part in some cases in that children of parents suffering from Hyperhidrosis will often suffer from the same condition.

In some cases, Hyperhidrosis develops following another, entirely separate medical condition such as; pregnancy or menopause, low blood sugar, an overactive thyroid gland, infection and even as a result of some medications. If, as in this situation, there is an obvious underlying cause, it is called Secondary Hyperhidrosis.

When should I consult with my GP?

One of the reasons we are unable to be more precise about the exact numbers of people affected by Hyperhidrosis is that lots of sufferers never actually consult a medical practitioner. Often because they feel embarrassed or they believe “It’s just sweating” or even “It isn’t a real thing”. The right course of action is most definitely to speak to your GP, the earlier the better. A detailed medical history is very important and it may be necessary to take some blood tests. If your Hyperhidrosis is secondary to another condition, treating that condition may reduce or even remove the symptoms completely.

There is a variety of over-the-counter and prescription treatments that your GP would be happy to discuss with you.

Where on the body is affected by Hyperhidrosis?

Hyperhidrosis can affect the whole body although the most commonly affected areas are:

• The face and chest
• The armpits
• The palms of your hands
• The groin
• The soles of your feet

Both sides of the body are usually affected equally ie. both hands or both feet and it is believed that these are the most commonly affected areas because these are the areas with the highest numbers of sweat glands.

How can we help at Jayne Taylor Aesthetics?

We’re very lucky at Jayne Taylor Aesthetics to have great relationships with our patients. We feel very privileged to have a high level of trust shown to us and for that reason, very personal worries and concerns are shared with us. One of those very personal concerns is excessive sweating. We’re always very grateful to hear about your problems because we really want to help.

The way that Jayne Taylor Aesthetics can help with Hyperhidrosis is to treat the area affected with Botox injections.

Botox (Botulinum Toxin) is delivered as multiple tiny injections and is most commonly used to relax the muscles in your face which in turn smooth out and reduce wrinkles

In the treatment of Hyperhidrosis, Botox works by blocking the chemical in the body that activates the sweat glands. As usual, treatment begins with an in-person consultation where an individual treatment plan is agreed upon. The treatment itself will usually take between 30 and 60 minutes dependent upon the size of the area to be treated. The number of injections required, again, is determined by the size of the area as is the overall cost.

According to the International Hyperhidrosis Society, underarm Botox injections can reduce underarm sweating by 82–87%. It is not a permanent cure but can last for several months and can be repeated as necessary.

Hyperhidrosis can negatively affect all aspects of your life but Jayne Taylor Aesthetics, Bradford is here to help.