Summer is here - and with it comes the simultaneous sweating. We all sweat in the summer, but some people sweat more. Despite what is commonly believed, excessive sweating is not related to heat and causes great discomfort to those who suffer from it.
What is excessive sweating and when is it treated?
Sweat is a watery fluid secreted by sweat glands in the skin, and is usually used to cool the body. While sweating is a natural process that is necessary for the body, "excessive sweating" (hyperhidrosis) is a process that is not related to heat.
There are several levels of sweating:
Normal sweating: occurs mainly in the armpits, is usually not visible and does not interfere with normal daily activities.
Tolerable sweating: Sweating that interferes occasionally, only during activity.
Frequent sweating: Sweating that is bothersome when it occurs.
Constant sweating: Sweating that causes suffering in daily functioning.
The last two levels – frequent sweating and constant sweating – are considered excessive sweating and warrant treatment. Excessive sweating can be defined as occurring more than once a week, for more than 6 months in a row, and causing distress to the person.
People who suffer from excessive sweating feel dampness and sweat stains, mainly in the armpit area, but also on the palms and feet, the back and buttocks, under the chest, and more. The phenomenon often causes embarrassment, which leads those who suffer from excessive sweating to avoid shaking hands and contact with other people, and actively - to shower several times a day, change several shirts during the day, and adopt a dark clothing style so that the unflattering "circle" is not so prominently visible.
In Israel, about one percent of the general population suffers from excessive sweating. There is no clear explanation for this, but researchers have found that 251% of those who suffer from the problem have another relative who suffers from it. The most widely accepted theory among doctors is that this phenomenon is caused by a failure or overstimulation of the nervous system. Those who suffer from excessive sweating are usually healthy, young people from the ages of 16-18 to their 50s. From these ages onwards, the phenomenon decreases or disappears.
In the following lines, we will raise a series of questions and answers about the treatment and its consequences for this disturbing phenomenon.
What is the treatment for excessive sweating?
The main treatment for excessive sweating is through: Botox injection. Botox injections block the nerve signal transmitted to the sweat glands, which tells them to secrete sweat.
The procedure is performed under local anesthesia, with the type of anesthesia varying according to the area being treated. An anesthetic cream (Amla) is applied to the armpits about an hour before the treatment. In the palms of the hands and feet, where the injection is not painful, regional anesthesia is sometimes necessary.
After the area is anesthetized, a series of superficial punctures are performed with a thin needle, at regular intervals.
There is also the option of removing the glands. In endoscopic surgery (using a tiny telescope, and without external incisions), during which the nerve responsible for sweating is cut. Beyond the fact that it is a surgery with all that this implies, there is a risk that the body will "compensate" for this and cause increased sweating in other parts of the body.
How long does the treatment last?
The duration of Botox treatment is 20-30 minutes.
At what age can you access treatment?
From the age of 18.
What preparations should be made for the treatment?
Before treatment, the doctor will want to rule out a medical cause for excessive sweating. You should come for treatment after resting, showering, and not applying deodorant. It is important not to do any physical exertion before the injection so that the sweat glands are in a resting state. Generally, it is not necessary to shave the armpits. When treating the armpit area, apply Amla cream an hour before treatment.
How do you feel after the treatment?
After the treatment, the doctor will invite the patients for a short check-up, and about a week or two after the Botox treatment, they feel a significant reduction in excessive sweating. If you choose to have the treatment in the spring, you can get through the hot season safely, as Botox lasts for an average of six months. You can choose whether to have another treatment in the fall or settle for a one-year treatment for the summer.
What are the possible complications of treatment? There are reports of one percent of cases developing compensatory sweating elsewhere in the body.
Are there any restrictions after treatment?? בדרך כלל מומלץ לא למרוח דאודורנט מייד לאחר הטיפול ולא לשפשף את האזור למשך 24 שעות.
When will I "get back to myself"? The treatment is short, and you can return to your normal routine immediately afterwards.
• Dr. Michael Shohat - Dermatologist and Director of Aesthetic Dermatology at the "Clalit Aesthetics" clinic chain.
• Dr. Eyal Kramer, a plastic surgery specialist at the "Clalit Aesthetics" clinic chain and a senior physician in the Plastic Surgery Department at Wolfson Hospital.
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