Excessive Underarm Sweating

What is Axillary Hyperhidrosis?

Axillary Hyperhidrosis, or excessive underarm sweating, is a common problem which causes a lot of unhappiness. An estimated 2% of people suffer from this condition, which tends to start in late adolescence. Untreated this problem may continue throughout life.

Sweating is embarrassing, it stains clothes, ruins romance, and complicates business and social interactions. In severe cases the underarms can be damp, sticky or even drenched with sweat continuously, even at night and regardless of the temperature. You may need to be medically evaluated for other potential causes of excessive underarm sweating, such as hyperthyroidism.
As if excessive sweating isn't bad enough, often the condition is accompanied with an offensive strong smell, called osmidrosis. When both symptoms are present (axillary hyperhidrosis + axillary osmidrosis), the condition is called axillary bromidrosis.

What is the cause of Axillary Hyperhidrosis?

The exact cause or causes of hyperhidrosis are unknown. Heat and emotions may trigger hyperhidrosis in some, but many who suffer from hyperhidrosis sweat nearly all the time, regardless of their mood or the weather.

What treatments are currently available?

Older treatment methods included prescription strength antiperspirants containing 20% aluminum chloride, excision of axillary tissue, liposuction of the axillary tissue, and transection of the sympathetic nerve. These methods are either irritating to the skin, costly and temporary, or pose significant, unpredictable surgical risks to you.

In 2004 the American FDA approved Botulinum Toxin Type A to treat severe underarm sweating that cannot be managed by topical agents such as prescription antiperspirants. Small doses of the toxin are used to stop the release of the chemical messenger acetylcholine, temporarily blocking the nerves in the underarm that stimulate sweating. This method can be quite effective, and normally only lasts from 4 to 6 months.

This Treatment

After a thorough check-up and discussion, our fully qualified and experienced doctor will administer lots of small injections to the underarm area This disables the sweat glands and you will find relief from your hyperhydrosis for several months.

To contact us for a free assessment simply complete the online form on the left, or call us on 01-2166 778