Treatment for Hyperhidrosis

Excessive sweating is difficult to manage and easy to underestimate if you do not have it. It is not about heat or exertion, and it does not respond reliably to ordinary antiperspirants. For many people the effect on work and social life is the real problem rather than the sweating itself.

What hyperhidrosis is

Hyperhidrosis is abnormally excessive sweating that is not explained by temperature or exercise. It commonly affects the underarms, palms, soles and face. It can begin in adolescence and continue for years, and it is a recognised medical condition rather than a cosmetic concern.

How the treatment works

Small injections are placed just beneath the skin across the affected area. They interrupt the nerve signals that switch the sweat glands on, which reduces sweating in the treated area. The effect is local and temporary, and it wears off as nerve function returns.

Reduction usually begins within about a week, with the fuller effect over the following fortnight. The effect commonly lasts between six and twelve months before repeat treatment is needed. How long it lasts varies between individuals.

This is a prescription treatment

The medicine used is available on prescription only. It cannot be requested or bought directly, and we cannot provide it on the basis of a web enquiry. It is prescribed and administered only after a consultation, and only where Dr Lalloo judges it clinically appropriate for you.

Excessive sweating sometimes has an underlying cause that needs investigating in its own right, so the consultation covers your medical history and any medicines you take as well as the sweating itself. If this treatment is not suitable for you, Dr Lalloo will tell you and discuss the alternatives.

What to expect

• A consultation and assessment before any treatment is offered
• Around thirty minutes for the treatment itself
• A fine needle, with several small injections across the treated area
• No planned downtime — most people return to normal activities the same day
• A review to check how well the treatment has worked for you

Risks and side effects

As with any injectable treatment there are risks, and these are discussed in full at your consultation before you decide. Tenderness, redness or bruising at the injection sites is common and settles without treatment. Temporary weakness in nearby muscles is a recognised side effect, and matters more for palm treatment than for underarms — this is covered at consultation. Some people notice increased sweating elsewhere.

This treatment is not suitable for everyone, and results differ from person to person. Nothing on this page is a diagnosis or a recommendation for your individual case.