Treatment of hyperhidrosis and increased sweating of the armpits

What is hyperhidrosis

A person has 2 types of sweat glands, which differ in their functions and regulatory mechanisms:

• Apocrine glands - most of them are located in the armpits and around the external genitalia, regulated by the sympathetic nervous system, adrenergic fibers, where the main substance is adrenaline. They begin to function in adolescence, produce a secretion with pheromones - an individual smell; under stress, the function increases, but they do not participate in thermoregulation.
• Eccrine glands - the largest number - are located in the armpits, on the feet and palms, and secrete the liquid part of sweat. The main regulator of the function is acetylcholine. The glands are involved in thermoregulation and sweating during stress.

The work of the vegetative unequal system, which controls the sweat glands, is not controlled by consciousness. Therefore, it is impossible to cause increased sweating on your own; it increases in response to an increase in body temperature during illness, in hot weather or after physical activity. Sweating increases with excitement, emotional stress, which leads to the release of adrenaline.

But the condition of hyperhidrosis is different from normal sweat production. The glands work actively when a person is calm and does not overheat. This is often associated with various pathologies. There is diffuse hyperhidrosis, in which sweating increases throughout the body. The disease is often associated with pathology of the nervous system. Local, or focal hyperhidrosis, affects only one area of ​​the body. This form is more common than others.

Sweating may be seasonal and occur only in the hot season, but for most people with pathology it does not depend on the season.

How is the procedure done?

The doctor marks the injection points of the drug, applies an anesthetic to the skin, and then, when it takes effect, disinfects the epidermis. After such preparation, you can begin injections. Their quantity, as well as the dosage and type of drug are selected individually.

After the administration of Botox or Dysport, the skin is again treated with an antiseptic. This completes the procedure and the patient can leave the clinic.

Approximate consumption of the drug, effectiveness, duration of action.

Causes of excessive sweating

Patients most often turn to dermatologists with the primary form of pathology, for which it is impossible to establish the cause. The first symptoms of hyperhidrosis appear during puberty. In girls and boys, this is associated with increased activity of the hormones testosterone and cortisol and immaturity of the nervous system. Daily sweat production becomes strong, activity increases in all types of sweat glands. This is why body odor increases in teenagers.

It is believed that primary hyperhidrosis in 30-50% of patients is associated with hereditary factors. But the first symptoms may appear at the age of 20-30 years. They are provoked by chronic stress, hormonal changes and other reasons. The secondary form of excessive sweating of the armpits is associated with the following conditions:

• excitability and high activity of the autonomic nervous system;
• endocrine pathologies, most often the state of hyperthyroidism, insulin resistance in diabetes mellitus;
• diseases of the cardiovascular system, accompanied by cardiac arrhythmias and rapid heartbeat;
• some types of malignant and benign tumors;
• metabolic disorders and excess body weight;
• overdose or side effects of drugs affecting the autonomic nervous system.

It is not always possible to determine the cause of excessive sweating. But it helps to effectively combat sweating.

Advantages

• Painless. Injections are performed with a thin needle; an anesthetic is first applied to the skin;
• Safety. Only proven certified drugs are used - “Botox” and “Dysport”, “Relatox”, “Xeomin”;
• Versatility. The technique is suitable for the treatment of hyperhidrosis, regardless of the cause that caused it;
• A quick solution to the problem of hyperfunction of the sweat glands. One session is enough to forget about wet palms, feet, and armpits;
• Long lasting effect. On average, the result lasts for a period of 6 months to a year. In the future, injections can be repeated.

Important: if hyperactivity of the sweat glands is caused by some disease, it is recommended to undergo a course of therapy and consult with your doctor regarding the optimal time for injections.

Sweaty armpits in women

In the female body, the release of large amounts of sweat depends on hormonal levels. When it changes, the interaction of various parts of the autonomic nervous system changes. This process is most pronounced during menopause.

With a decrease in ovarian function in women, their stimulation by pituitary hormones - follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormones - increases. But due to physiological characteristics, the release of thyroid-stimulating hormone, which increases blood flow in the thyroid gland, simultaneously increases. Most often this process starts in the evening or at night. It manifests itself in the form of hot flashes - the appearance of a feeling of heat in the upper body and head. The woman begins to sweat heavily. The duration of such an attack is several minutes.

You are more likely to experience heavy sweating if you are overweight. Thermoregulation disorders appear with arterial hypertension. These diseases also often progress after age 50. Hyperhidrosis in this case is secondary. It is not life-threatening, but causes discomfort.

Effect

The result appears within 1-2 days after the procedure and increases over the course of several more days. Sweating noticeably decreases, the unpleasant odor disappears, redness and irritation of the skin disappear.

Important! If hyperhidrosis of the feet was accompanied by a fungal infection, then reducing sweating is only the first step towards recovery. It is also necessary to undergo a full course of treatment for the fungus.

When treating hyperhidrosis, higher doses of botulinum toxin are used than when correcting facial wrinkles, so the results last longer. The duration of the effect depends on the individual characteristics of the body and on how carefully the doctor’s recommendations are followed.

Underarm sweating in men

The functioning of the male body is regulated by the hormone testosterone. It performs an anabolic function and accelerates metabolism. Sensitivity to adrenaline is also higher in men. Therefore, small bursts of this hormone speed up the heart rate, increase reaction speed and lead to sweaty armpits.

A man may sweat more than usual if he prefers hot and spicy foods. Sweating of the armpits and the entire body greatly increases when drinking alcoholic beverages. In this case, hyperhidrosis is associated with metabolic processes, as the body removes toxic substances after recycling ethanol. Nicotine has a direct stimulating effect. It increases the synthesis of acetylcholine, which enhances the work of the sweat glands. Therefore, sweating is a natural phenomenon in men who smoke.

Sweating occurs when there is severe nervous tension. Men's jobs are more likely than women's to involve stress or hazardous activities.

Men are susceptible to developing obesity, metabolic disorders and hypertension. Those at risk are those who lead a sedentary lifestyle and have a large waist circumference at the age of 45-50. These disorders affect the tone of the sympathetic nervous system and sweating.

Reusable sweat-absorbent products: top, bodice and inserts

There are reusable anti-sweat products. They protect clothes from stains and streaks for 24 hours, after which they are washed in warm water. These products can last for more than one year.

• A top with sweat protection zones is worn on the body instead of underwear or together with it. Its coverage area is wider than that of earbuds, as is the area of ​​clothing protection.
• The fabric bodice is worn like a regular bra and fastens in the front, under the bust. And adjustable straps allow you to “tailor” its size to suit you.
• Reusable fabric pads are made of quick-drying, breathable material. They are not attached to clothing, but in the armpit using a silicone adjustable tape.

When to see a doctor

If a person begins to sweat during exercise, hot weather, or extreme excitement, there is no reason to worry. Health problems are indicated by sweating, which occurs against a background of complete calm or is accompanied by additional symptoms.

A slightly elevated body temperature, which is accompanied by night or evening sweats, may be a sign of a chronic infection. Sometimes this is how pulmonary tuberculosis, immune disorders, and the initial stages of cancer manifest themselves.

A dangerous symptom is the appearance of weakness, dizziness, loss of consciousness against the background of increased sweating. This may be a sign of low glucose levels - hypoglycemia. The condition is life-threatening and therefore requires emergency medical attention. Hyperhidrosis is cured only after glucose levels are normalized.

Older women who experience menstrual irregularities and the first symptoms of approaching menopause require special treatment. Without special means, the condition may gradually worsen, and menopause will be difficult.

Increased sweating is one of the signs of thyrotoxicosis. This disease is accompanied by an increase in thyroid function and the release of increased doses of hormones into the blood. At the same time, the heartbeat increases, heart rhythm disturbances appear, and the person quickly loses body weight, despite maintaining the nature of the diet.

Psychogenic factors

In a significant part of the population, hyperhidrosis is psychogenic in nature. In this case, stress or fear contributes to active sweating. Not only the armpits, but also the palms of the feet actively sweat, sweat flows down the back and face. The forehead and the area above the lips become especially moisturized, which is a serious cause for concern for women who use cosmetics. In this case, the help of several specialists is required to resolve the problem.

First, psychologists and neurologists establish the factors underlying pathological sweating and gradually eliminate them. Sedatives are used, as well as various methods of cognitive behavioral therapy. Both are aimed at reducing anxiety, fears, and concerns. Then, dermatocosmetologists work with external causes.

Most often, the problem is solved with the help of potent antiperspirants, the use of which, due to their high alcohol content, is not recommended without a doctor’s prescription. Baths with decoctions of nettle leaves, oak bark or sea salt show good results. To radically solve the problem, injections that block sweating and surgical methods are used.

When choosing a remedy to combat an unpleasant disease, it is important to remember that it may be a sign of another much more serious syndrome. Therefore, solving the problem should definitely begin with a general examination of the body.