Over-sweating treatment
Excessive sweating is the increase in the amount of sweat secreted to the skin surface due to the hyperactivity of the sweat glands. It is most commonly seen on the palms, soles and armpits. It usually begins in childhood or adolescence and can continue for years.
What are the causes?
Generally, excessive sweating occurs structurally. There is a family history in 40 percent of the cases. Rarely, a disease (such as thyroid gland diseases and diabetes) or some medications (such as aspirin and insulin) may be the cause of excessive sweating.
How is it treated?
In the treatment of structurally occurring excessive sweating, two methods with proven effectiveness are applied;
- Iontophoresis
- Botulinum toxin injection
What is Iontophoresis?
Iontophoresis is a process in which a current of 15-25 milliamperes is applied to the hands and feet in tap water or a specially medicated water.
In which areas is it used in the treatment of excessive sweating?
It is used in the treatment of excessive sweating on the palms and soles of the feet.
How does it affect?
It is thought to act by causing blockage in the sweat gland ducts.
How often is it applied?
It is applied for 20 minutes, 3-5 days a week for a month.
When does the effect occur?
A decrease in sweating occurs within 1-2 weeks. After the desired effect is achieved at the end of the first month, it can be repeated once in 2 weeks or once a month.
Is it a painful application? Are there any side effects?
During iontophoresis, pins and needles in the hands and feet, tingling sensation, slight redness and dryness of the skin may be seen. However, these will correct themselves in a short time.
What is Botulinum Toxin?
It is a drug obtained from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum found in soil and water. Botulinum toxin shows its effect by preventing the release of substances that provide conduction in nerve endings, and by stopping the transmission between the nerves and the organs reached by the nerves. It has been used in the treatment of excessive sweating since 1994.
How is it applied?
It is applied with special fine-tipped needles into the skin in the area of excessive sweating.
How does it affect?
It acts by preventing the release of stimulating substances from the nerve endings that stimulate the sweat glands.
When does the effect occur?
Three days after the application, decreases in sweating begin to be seen. The effect reaches its highest level approximately on the 15th day and sweating disappears almost completely.
How long does the effect last?
Although the duration of the effect varies according to the person and the dose applied, it lasts for approximately 4-6 months. When the effect wears off, it is applied again.
Is it a painful application?
In armpit applications, a non-severe pain is felt. Before the application, a cream with an anesthetic effect is applied to that area to reduce the feeling of pain. Injections made on the palms and soles of the feet are more painful. For this reason, in cases where the application of cream with anesthetic effect is insufficient, the procedure is performed with cold air application.
Are there any side effects?
It has no known significant side effects.
In which areas is it used in the treatment of excessive sweating?
It is used in the treatment of excessive sweating in the armpits, palms and soles.
To whom can it be applied?
It can be safely applied to everyone except pregnant women, nursing mothers and those with certain muscle-nerve diseases.
