DERMATOLOGY

Sweating (Hyperhidrosis) Treatment

Sweating is a necessary adaptation mechanism in mammals to be able to remove the toxins from the body and to keep body temperature in balance. However, contrary to what most of us think , their role in toxin excretion is limited and they do not play as active a role as the kidneys.

Although sweating is a normal physiological event, excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) may be observed in localized areas in some individuals. The important point here is the location of sweating, its occurrence and time, and whether there is an important underlying systemic disease. We know that diabetes, thyroid diseases, parathyroid gland tumors, emotional stress, tumors that secrete some cholinergic agents, brain tumors that sometimes apply pressure on the areas such as the thalamus, some systemic drug treatments, and menopause are among the known causes of excessive sweating. Also, some diseases that cause an imbalance in serum electrolyte levels (calcium, magnesium, etc.) can cause excessive sweating.

Although it is known that excessive sweating complaints that have been going on since childhood are usually structural, it is important to investigate the underlying cause in cases of sudden increase in sweating in advanced ages.

It is important that your doctor conducts a clinical evaluation before starting the sweating treatment.

Since this situation generally affects the social life negatively, the search for treatment by individuals comes to the fore especially in the summer months. The reliability of deodorants and sprays containing aluminum chloride is still a matter of debate. The concern is that the absorption of these ingredients may produce systemic toxic effects and carcinogens. It is known that such treatments are limited with daily use and sweating returns from the first day after. Thus, the search for long-acting and health methods continues on the part of the patients.

The most permanent method known is surgery. In these methods, which provide life-long permanence, those from the cervical nerves in the neck to their sweat glands are separated and clamped. Surgical complications that may occur in the neck region include conditions such as lung perforation (pneumothorax), weakness in the arm muscles and loss of sensation. However, patients may prefer non-surgical solutions because they are afraid of these surgeries, which have significant risks.

The most common method used in the treatment of hyperhydrosis is botox.

Botox is used to reduce sweating in areas with excessive sweating. When botulinum toxin is applied to the sweat glands, the acetylcholine-dependent transmission between the sweat glands and nerve endings can also be stopped, thereby reducing the functioning of the sweat glands. The areas of the body that sweat the most are the palms and armpits. In addition, botox treatment is applied to patients with excessive sweating in areas such as the groin, anus, face, forehead and scalp. Excessive hand sweating negatively affects the socialization of the patients, their exam performance, their desire to shake hands, and their comfort of doing business. Sweating in the armpit and groin affects the clothing preferences and social adaptation of the patients negatively.

Botox treatment does not only reduce sweating in these areas, but also eliminates other problems that develop due to sweating. When sweating is eliminated in people suffering from excessive sweating and related sweat odor, bacteria that can reproduce in a humid environment and the odor due to the toxins produced by them also disappear. Again, reducing sweating in the groin, anus and feet is a successful treatment for curing the fungal infections. It is known that the susceptibility to eczema increases in most individuals with increased sweating in feet and hands. Reducing sweating in cases such as dyshidrotic eczema contributes to the treatment of foot and hand eczema. Sweating in foot is among the important causes of ingrown toenails. Reducing edema and maceration due to sweating contributes to ingrown nail treatment.

Botox effect lasts an average of 6-8 months. When the effect subsides, patients begin to sweat again, but during this long period of time when the sweat glands are not working, as they shrink, which we call atrophy, even if sweating starts, sweating is not as intense as before. These processes can be repeated when sweating begins again. Repeatedly, these urinations shrink the sweat glands over time and contribute to the reduction of excessive sweat secretion. However, it should be noted that this treatment never permanently destroys the sweat glands. Even if sweating starts again, patients observe that the sweating gland secretion decreases over time.

The procedure requires local anesthesia because it is painful on the palms and soles. However, there is little need for local anesthesia in other areas.

One of the questions frequently asked is how the toxins will removed if their sweating glands are suppressed. As mentioned before, we do not block all the sweating glands, which undertake a very, very small part of toxin excretion. We just suppress the mostly working part in a localized area. Other sweating glands in our body, which are common, are more than enough to meet this need.