Everyone sweats, it’s how the body cools itself. But if you find yourself sweating excessively, even when you’re not hot or exercising, you might have a condition known as hyperhidrosis.

Understanding hyperhidrosis

Hyperhidrosis is the medical term for excessive sweating that goes beyond what’s needed to regulate body temperature. It can affect different parts of the body, most commonly the hands, feet, face, armpits (axillary) and groin (inguinal) areas.

For some people, hyperhidrosis can be triggered by anxiety, stress or heat. For others, it happens without any obvious cause. Whatever the trigger, it can significantly affect daily life.

Source: https://www.sweathelp.org/home/understanding-hyperhidrosis.html

Common signs and symptoms

You may want to speak to a medical professional about hyperhidrosis if you notice any of the following:

• You regularly experience sweating that soaks through clothing or drips from your hands, feet, face or armpits.
• Sweat interferes with everyday activities. For example, you struggle to grip a pen or use a phone because your hands are damp.
• You avoid social or professional situations because of excessive sweating.
• Regular deodorants or antiperspirants make little or no difference.
• You find that excessive sweating occurs on both sides of the body (for example, both hands or both armpits) and often without a clear reason.

Read more about the causes and symptoms of hyperhidrosis.

Primary and secondary hyperhidrosis

Hyperhidrosis is usually classified as either primary or secondary:

• Primary (focal) hyperhidrosis develops without an underlying medical cause. Focal hyperhidrosis often starts in childhood or adolescence and typically affects localised areas such as the hands, feet, face or armpits.
• Secondary (generalised) hyperhidrosis is caused by another condition or medication, for example, thyroid disorders, diabetes or menopause. In these cases, sweating often affects the whole body.

If you’re unsure which type applies to you, your doctor can help determine the cause through a review of your medical history and examination. The NHS Clinic Guidance on hyperhidrosis provides more information on diagnosis and management options.

Managing hyperhidrosis

Depending on the severity of your symptoms, treatment options range from specialist antiperspirants to advanced medical treatments. These can include:

• Prescription-strength antiperspirants: Stronger formulations than standard deodorants may help mild cases.
• Botulinum toxin injections: A highly effective treatment for axillary (armpit), palmar (hand), plantar (foot), inguinal (groin) and facial hyperhidrosis, helping to block the nerves that stimulate sweat glands.
• Iontophoresis or medication: Occasionally recommended by specialists for more severe or generalised sweating. Iontophoresis is a treatment that uses mild electrical current passed through water to temporarily stop sweat glands.

Hyperhidrosis at Melior Clinics

At Melior Clinics, we offer hyperhidrosis treatment using botulinum toxin, a safe and clinically proven method to reduce sweating for up to nine months.

Patient Experience

I wanted to thank you for making all the treatment sessions a comfortable experience for me. I’m very self conscious about the sweating problem but you put me completely at ease, so much so I almost forgot you’re repeatedly jabbing needles in my arm.

AC.

Watch one of our patients receive hyperhidrosis treatment by Dr Kat at our Harley Street clinic.