Every bodily function performs a role in your body. Sweating, for example, is how your system regulates temperature and cools off on particularly hot days. Sometimes, however, oversensitive sympathetic nerves can cause excessive sweating. They may lead you to sweat excessively, including on cool days or while you sleep. Also called hyperhidrosis, excessive sweating can be a major cause of anxiety and social awkwardness. Fortunately, there are multiple ways a fort worth excessive sweating specialist can treat this problem. Here is a look at five effective treatments you and your doctor may explore.
Medications
Your doctor will usually begin your treatment regimen with medication, more specifically, topical creams. Common options include aluminum chloride hexahydrate and aluminum chloride formulations that you apply to the treatment area daily, usually at night. But, if the creams do not work or cause uncomfortable side effects, your doctor may prescribe a systemic approach like oral medications. Also called anticholinergics, these medicines produce a drying reaction.
Sweat Glands Microwave Thermolysis
Another possible treatment is microwave thermolysis, which uses energy to prevent your sweat glands from producing sweat. Essentially, your doctor exposes the treatment area to microwave energy to destroy the sweat glands and immediately stop excessive sweating. Microwave thermolysis is commonly used to treat hyperhidrosis in the armpits since the sweat glands in your underarm area only account for 2 percent of your total sweat glands. Your doctor will use topical anesthesia to numb the treatment area before the procedure, and you will not need downtime because it does not involve incisions.
Behavioral Medicine
As mentioned, excessive sweating can cause significant stress and anxiety. As other treatments work to solve the systemic problem, your doctor may also include behavioral medicine in your treatment regimen. The techniques used are designed to help you control negative reactions that can worsen your hyperhidrosis. In fact, behavioral medicine is recommended for proper academic, occupational, social, and emotional functioning in people with hyperhidrosis.
Botulinum Toxin
Botulinum toxin, or Botox, is a treatment commonly used to treat facial imperfections like fine lines and wrinkles. However, it can also be used to address hyperhidrosis. Your doctor will administer Botox injections to the treatment area and temporarily decrease your sweat levels. This treatment often lasts between three to six months, after which you may need follow-up injections. Essentially, they work by blocking the sympathetic nerves from triggering your sweat glands.
Surgery (Sympathectomy)
If all other treatments fail, your doctor may recommend surgery to treat hyperhidrosis. The surgical procedure called an endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS) is usually a last resort and only reserved for severe cases due to its invasive nature. It involves severing your sympathetic nerve to prevent the sweat reaction. Due to this, it is only used to treat hyperhidrosis of the armpits, hands, and face. Doctors avoid using it on the feet because of the risk of sexual dysfunction.
Get Hyperhidrosis Treatment Today
If you experience frequent and excessive sweating, you may feel anxious to venture out of your home, even on cold days. You may avoid shaking hands with other people, going to the gym, dating, and doing other regular activities. Thankfully, excessive sweating is a treatable condition. You and your aesthetic specialist can go through the different treatments and pick one that best works for you. All you need to do is call a provider near you and schedule an appointment today.