Given that this website focuses on proven and effective methods of the treatment of hyperhidrosis, no forms of any herbal and ointment methods will be discussed here as they are usually effective only due to the placebo effect, if there is any effectiveness at all. If you suffer from any form of excessive sweating, you will certainly be happy to learn that the manifestations of the disease can be very effectively blocked and treated. The therapy is divided into non-invasive (no surgery) and invasive (including surgery) methods of the treatment of excessive sweating.
The main non-invasive methods of the treatment of hyperhidrosis include iontophoresis and application of botulinum toxin. Among the invasive methods of the treatment of excessive sweating belong thoracic sympathectomy and removing of sweat glands in the armpit. Let us discuss these treatments in more detail.
Iontophoresis
This term relates to a method discovered in America in the 1980s. It is based on application of a very small amount of electrical energy of an appropriate frequency into a water bath into which the areas affected by excessive sweating are immersed. This method gained popularity due to its inexpensiveness. The implementation of iontophoresis requires special devices through which a result of nearly 100% of satisfied patients is achieved. Latest iontophoresis devices can be operated using rechargeable batteries, which makes sure the therapy costs are close to zero.
Electro Antiperspirant effects at 100°C (212°F) in a SAUNA
Advantages: Very high efficiency, rapid manifestation of the effects, low costs of the treatment of hyperhidrosis, safety, wide user base.
Disadvantages: None.
Botulinum toxin is a neurotoxin that can bind on the nerve endings of sweat glands and suppress their activity. This substance is used especially in the field of plastic surgery and has one indisputable advantage; it is the speed of the effects which come in several days. However, this is the end of the list of advantages of the botulinum toxin treatment of excessive sweating. The price at which it is possible to treat one pair of affected areas (palms, feet or armpits) is very high and the procedure must be repeated approximately every 3 months. In addition, botulinum toxin does not work for every patient, and there is a risk of unpleasant side effects.
Advantages: Efficiency, rapid manifestation of the effects.
Disadvantages: Very high costs of the treatment of hyperhidrosis, the procedure must be repeated at this price every few months, possibility of complications associated with the effects of botulinum toxin.
Thoracic Sympathectomy
It is an effective but the riskiest method of the surgical treatment of hyperhidrosis of palms and armpits, and it is usually not used for the lower parts of the body due to a high risk of damaging the function of the genital tract. Certain spinal nerves, responsible for transmission of impulses that cause sweating, are removed through tiny holes created by surgeons in the armpit from the patient under general anesthesia. Such an interruption of nerves causes that the patient sweats no longer. However, the side effects of this method, if they occur, are very drastic. They include an abnormal heart rhythm, hand tremor, faintness and severe compensatory sweating which appears on other parts of the body such as back, abdomen and head. The newer method of thoracic sympathectomy blocks the nerves only by a special clip which can be later removed if any complications occur. However, even this variant is associated with high risks.
Advantages: Permanent solution of hyperhidrosis.
Disadvantages: A need to undergo a difficult operation under general anesthesia with possible unpleasant post-operative complications.
Removal of Sweat Glands in the Armpit
This method of the treatment of hyperhidrosis is used only in case of excessive and very strong sweating in the armpit. After a consultation with the doctor, the patient comes to the hospital where their skin in the armpit, containing sweat glands, is surgically removed under general anesthesia. Subsequent recovery in the hospital then takes several days until the wounds in the armpit are healed. If correctly performed, the effects of this method are permanent.
Advantages: Permanent solution to hyperhidrosis in armpits.
Disadvantages: Can be used only for the armpit area, a need to undergo a surgery, cannot be performed for everyone.