Excessive sweating – Hyperhidrosis
Excessive sweating from areas such as the armpits, hands and feet has long been treated locally with aluminium chloride creams. Most recently, the injection of choice has become Botox and Dysport. Within just a few days, the nerve impulses that are carried to the small sweat-emitting muscles are blocked by Botox and Dysport for an average of 6 months’ effectiveness. The summer months, in particular, can therefore be blissfully free of unsightly sweat patches on your clothes.
Alternative treatments to Botox for long-term effects in severe cases (in particular of armpit sweating) include skiving, sweat gland suction, surgical removal of sweat glands and, rarely, nerve separation.
Further information
Treatment and operation preparation: Obtain timely, comprehensive medical advice and risk awareness. No pre-medical check-ups necessary with the use of Botox or Dysport. In generalised hyperhidrosis, it is necessary to have a full medical check-up with blood evaluation and ECG.
Duration of operation: 45-90 minutes
Anaesthesia: Botox: possibly just a superficial anaesthetic. Operation: local or twilight – occasionally general
Staying at the clinic: Mostly outpatient
Work incapacity: 0-7 days
Social capacity: Botox: immediate. Operation: after 1-2 days
Sport: Operation: after 4 weeks
Sun-bathing and solarium: Operation: after 4 weeks
Sauna: Operation: after 4 weeks
After care: Operation: Compression dressings for 1 week, rarely thread removal, lymph drainage.
Durability: In cases of removed sweat glands: good to great success.
Special risks: Bruising, unattractive scarring, healing problems in the armpit region.
Cost absorption: Possibly covered by health insurance in cases whereby several superficial treatments are required.