EXCESSIVE SWEATING OR HYPERHIDROSIS
Hyperhidrosis is a disorder that causes excessive sweating. In most cases, the cause of this condition is unknown. The areas of excessive sweating most commonly involve the armpits (axillary hyperhidrosis) or the hands (palmar hyperhidrosis).
Treatments for hyperhidrosis
There are many treatments for hyperhidrosis, including prescription antiperspirants, a particular surgical procedure (endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy) and Botox injections.
At High Desert Dermatology, we are particularly impressed with the results of Botox injections for hyperhidrosis. Most people think of Botox as something only used to decrease unwanted facial lines. Though it is very effective for cosmetic uses, it can also be used to stop unwanted sweating.
Botox effective and long-lasting
Usually covered by insurance as a medical (not cosmetic) condition, Botox injections can dramatically decrease unwanted sweating for up to 6 months, and in some cases, even longer.
Treating the excessively sweaty regions is very simple. In the case of the armpits, a numbing cream is applied for 20 minutes to minimize the sensation of the tiny injections. For the hands, High Desert dermatologists usually administer nerve blocks at the wrists, which numb the hands and render the injections painless. The physician then performs a series of injections into the sweaty areas. The entire procedure rarely takes longer than 30 minutes.
Minimal side effects
Complications are extremely rare. In the armpits, the only realistic complication is the potential for tiny bruising. On the hands, there is a very small chance the Botox will slightly weaken some of the small muscles of the fingers. In rare instances, this can result in temporary problems such as difficulty fastening the buttons on a shirt and other fine but forceful movements of the fingers.
Please contact us to make an appointment for hyperhidrosis or excessive sweating.