Yes, it's summer, and you're obviously going to work up a bit of sweat. But do you find yourself sweating in abnormally excessive amounts, especially in your armpits, hands and feet? Tried all the antiperspirants in the market, including the latest that tout "clinical strength," yet found them utterly useless? There's a chance that you may be suffering from a medical condition called hyperhidrosis, and treatment is available via medication and surgical procedures depending on your specific condition.
The latest procedure for underarm sweating that's been approved by the FDA is Botulinum Toxin Type A, or Botox, injections. Injected directly in the armpits through a very fine needle, it blocks the chemical signals from the nerves that simulate the sweat glands and can reduce perspiration by more than 50 percent. The procedure at the doctor's office takes 10-15 minutes and the effects last about 6-9 months, at which point the treatment gradually wears off, leaving you back at your original sweating level. If the treatment works for you, you can continue with follow-up injections. If not, you can let it run its course and eventually out of your system. Also, many insurance plans cover most or all of this procedure, so you may not have to sweat footing the bill on your own.
I'm usually pretty bullheaded against ingesting or injecting pharmaceuticals or any non-natural medicine or chemicals - I don't even take Advil unless it's dire, and that's basically never. However, I make an exception this time in passing along this information because I understand that conditions like this can seriously and negatively affect the quality of one's social and emotional life, creating undue anxiety, embarrassment and frustration. If these procedures can help someone reduce their suffering and elevate their sense of well-being, I think it's worth checking out.
As mentioned, there are various treatments available, but Botox seems to be most promising based on my quick research. For more info, check out the International Hyperhidrosis Society, the Botox Treatment for Hyperhidrosis site, and speak with your dermatologist to see what options are right for you.
Hope this helps you to find relief from your sweating predicament - heaven knows there are enough things to sweat over in life than... you know... sweating.
[Photos, Doron Gild for Details]
