All of us sweat. It is a natural phenomenon by which the body removes harmful substances from the body, regulates temperature or reacts to stress. Even if we feel that we are not sweating, normally at least half a litre of sweat evaporates from the body per day. In summer, we naturally sweat much more than in winter due to the ambient heat, and we sweat up to 1.8 litres of water in the heat of exertion or sport. However, some of us are troubled by excessive sweating all the time. Maps on clothes in the armpits, sweaty palms or feet are not pleasant not only for us, but also for our surroundings. Sweat itself has no odour, contains 99% water and up to 250 different other substances – salt, potassium, urea, fatty acids… It only starts to smell unpleasant after the sweat has been broken down by the bacteria we have on our skin. Being in the presence of a smelly person is not pleasant for anyone. “With excessive sweating, hyperhidrosis, we always look for an internal cause. We have to rule out diabetes, thyroid disease, sweating accompanying menopause, or a neurological disease,” says Alexandra Novotná, MD, PhD, owner of the Esthetic Clinic, and adds: “However, there are also individuals who sweat without an internal cause being identified. Such sweating is incredibly bothersome and reduces the quality of life of the person concerned. Excessive sweating in the armpits, on the palms of the hands or on the soles of the feet, which is not due to any other internal disease, affects approximately 2.8% of the population. Today we can help these people without surgery, by injecting botulinum toxin.”

Botox against sweating A very dilute solution of botulinum toxin type A is used to treat excessive sweating, a small amount of which is injected into the skin of the affected area at a rate of approximately one puncture per 1 square cm. The principle of action of botulinum toxin is to prevent the transmission of nerve fibre impulses to the sweat glands. “The procedure is almost painless, with a maximum of 400 units of botulinum toxin injected into approximately 20 punctures in each armpit. The injections are superficial and heal within a few hours. It takes about half an hour and I do not recommend using antiperspirant or deodorant for 24 hours after the procedure, it is a good idea to cover the armpits only with baby powder. The effect of the therapy starts to develop within 3 days after the application. The duration of the effect is individual, from 3 months to 1 year, on average 6 – 9 months. There is no need to worry about starting to sweat more elsewhere on the body.” explains MUDr. Novotná Sweat secretion can thus be reduced to 10% of the original sweating, which has been proven by objective examination methods. However, botulinum toxin treatment does not rid a person of hyperhidrosis forever; the symptoms gradually reappear. The need for repeated application is individual and varies between 8 to 12 months or longer.

Will it hurt me? The soreness of the procedure varies considerably according to the site of application. For example, application in the armpits or on the palms of the hands is easy, without the need for anaesthesia. In contrast, application to the feet is very painful and is usually performed in analgosedation (controlled sleep). Discuss your expectations openly with your doctor at your first consultation. Your doctor should ask you about your medical history and your current state of health. In the case of severe hyperhidrosis, he may also send you for a complete internal examination, which can reveal the medical problems that cause excessive sweating. The sites where the botulinum toxin will be injected will be determined by the doctor using an iodine-starch test. Count on the fact that after this test, the treated areas may be mechanically stained blue for several days. “The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis and the client can go home immediately afterwards. If the treatment was performed on the head, he should not bend or lie down for 4 hours. In the case of treatment of the palms, he should not wear anything heavy, drive, or otherwise strain the palms for the next few hours. The treated areas should not be touched for at least 24 hours, after which they can be gently washed. However, this procedure does not require any special restrictions,” adds Dr. Novotná. So excessive sweating has a solution. You no longer have to leave an odour trail behind you wherever you go. Just consult the experts and serious life can become more fragrant.

AUTHOR: clinic Esthetic