Don't sweat, there's help!

Hyperhidrosis or excessive sweating is a common disorder, which plagues many.  Significant discomfort aside, excessive sweating leads to embarrassment. While the health problem is not fatal, it is a common occurrence during summer. Many suffer from excessive sweating of the underarms (axillary hyperhidrosis) or of the palms and soles of the feet (palmoplantar hyperhidrosis). In a bid to treat the common syndrome, aixillae botox (botulinum toxin) is carried out.

This is a very simple procedure, performed in an OPD by a trained medical professional. The treatment is often termed a ‘lunch time procedure’ as it has no downtime. About 80-100 units of botox are injected in the axillae, into the dermis with a very fine needle. This is where the sweat glands are present. Therefore, these injections reduce the excessive sweating for 4-6 months.

A session approximately costs around '25,000- '30,000. The procedure is safe for anyone above 19 years of age. The treatment is approved in the US by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and in India by the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI).

Underarm odour issues tend to begin around puberty. However, palm and sole sweating may start earlier, often during childhood. Untreated, these problems may continue throughout life — only to become severe over time.

Sweating is embarrassing, stains clothes, and may complicate business and social interactions. Severe cases can have serious practical consequences, like making it difficult to hold a pen, grip a steering wheel, or even shake hands.

Although neurologic, metabolic, and other systemic diseases can sometimes cause excessive sweating, most cases occur in people who are otherwise healthy. Heat and emotions may trigger hyperhidrosis in some, but many who suffer from hyperhidrosis perspire nearly all the time, regardless of their mood or the weather.

— The writer is a medical consultant.