Treatments for Hyperhidrosis (Excessive Sweating)

Several relatively simple treatments are available for the treatment of excessive sweating.

Muscle relaxants

The injection of a muscle relaxant is now being used for the effective treatment of excessive sweating from the armpits (known as primary axillary hyperhidrosis) and hands (known as palmer hyperhidrosis). It targets sweating at its source, inhibiting the release of acetylcholine: the chemical in the body that is responsible for signaling perspiration.  The advantages are that it is a safe and effective technique and solution; the disadvantages are that it is a temporary treatment lasting approximately 6-8 months with a possible compensatory increase in sweating at other sites.

Other options

Other options include 20% aluminium chloride hexahydrate, iontophoresis and oral medications.

The procedure

Muscle relaxants

A topical anaesthetic cream is usually applied half an hour prior to the treatment to help minimise any discomfort. The product is then administered via small injections and approximately 7-10 days later, sweating may be noted to have decreased.

A review is recommended approximately 2-3 weeks after the initial treatment. A further smaller treatment may be necessary to any areas where the product may not have been fully effective.