Medical spa professionals based in Kendall, Florida, share the breakthroughs in using botulinum toxin to treat excessive sweating.

Why Botulinum Toxin Isn’t Just For Wrinkles Anymore But Can Help Stop Extra Sweating

We all know that there are many reasons why people sweat. Of course, sweat’s primary function is to cool the body down when it gets too hot. However, sweating sometimes results from emotional triggers, stress or a hormone response. 

There are sweat glands, called eccrine glands, throughout the skin, so sweat can come from anywhere on the skin. However, the primary areas where these glands are concentrated are the armpits, the face, the hands, the groin, the lower back, and the feet. 

When a person sweats too much, they may have a condition known as hyperhidrosis. 

This condition is usually benign but can be inconvenient and make individuals self-conscious about their body’s behavior.

What is Hyperhidrosis, and How Much Sweating is Considered Excessive?

The medical community defines excessive sweating as hyperhidrosis, but there is more than one kind. One, known as primary or focal hyperhidrosis, is sweating from a particular area or areas of the body. In contrast, secondary hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating all over the body, which results from some other condition.

It is thought that 1 to 3% of the population experience primary or focal hyperhidrosis. Sweating happens even when a person is not doing physical activity and is in a comfortable, temperature-controlled environment. Let’s summarize the two kinds:

• Primary Focal Hyperhidrosis: A person experiences sweating in the armpits, face, or hands and feet unrelated to temperature. Often, the sweating is not related to anything.
• Secondary Hyperhidrosis: This is sweating all over the body, and it can indicate significant changes in the body, such as underlying medical conditions or as a side effect of certain medications.

So, how much sweat is too much? Some people with this condition report sweating in a swimming pool, and others report having moisture dripping off their hands. It does not have to be this extreme, but if you are concerned, you should consult your primary care provider for diagnosis.

What are the Causes of Hyperhidrosis?

As previously discussed, there are many reasons for the body to sweat and for a person to experience excessive sweating. A genetic mutation typically causes primary focal hyperhidrosis. It causes the sweat glands to be overactive, causing an overabundance of sweat production. The body thinks there is always stress or a need to cool down, even when there isn’t. 

Secondary hyperhidrosis can be a symptom of multiple issues with the body:

• Anxiety
• Cancer
• Diabetes
• Heart Disease
• Medication side effects
• Menopause
• Obesity
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Pregnancy
• Tuberculosis

These conditions must be dealt with before the excessive sweating can be addressed. This is why discussing concerns with a medical professional is so important, even with the embarrassing symptoms that may come up. Further testing may reveal a much bigger problem than sweating.

Often, medical professionals do not have a perfect cause/effect answer for primary focal hyperhidrosis, but there are treatments available. 

How Is Botox Used To Treat Primary Hyperhidrosis?

Though botulinum toxin, commercially known as Botox injection, has long been used to help reduce wrinkles, its paralytic properties have found many uses beyond correcting fine lines around the eyes. 

The Food and Drug Administration has approved it for treating excessive sweating in the armpits. It has also proven successful in reducing sweating in the hands and feet. Botox is believed to lower the sensitivity of the eccrine glands and, therefore, slow the production of sweat. 

It blocks a chemical or hormone that activates the glands.  While botulinum injections are not a permanent solution, they can keep an individual from sweating excessively for weeks or even months. 

The injections are minimally painful and only need to be done every few months to maintain a relatively sweat-free existence. 

After the initial treatment, some people can go a whole year without an issue. Even if a patient dislikes needles, depending on the severity of the hyperhidrosis, they may be the best solution. 

About C10 Wellness & Rejuvenation

You’ll receive a complimentary consultation to review your condition when you come into our office. Our team will then create a unique treatment plan to help you address your issues. 

At C10 Wellness & Rejuvenation, we strive to treat our patients from the inside out with the best and latest practices. With honest advice, personalized care, and upfront transparent pricing, patients can rest assured they’ll find the ideal solution for their needs. 

Book your appointment in our Kendall, FL office today!