Generally, when people think of getting rid of fine lines or wrinkles, they think of Botox Injections. Sterling Heights residents may be interested to find out that there is more to Botox than just a great anti-aging treatment. While it may be an excellent solution for decreasing the look of crow’s feet or frown lines, it can also be used to combat things like migraines or hyperhidrosis.
What is Hyperhidrosis?
It is true that everyone sweats. It is simply a natural part of life, and it happens whenever a person is hot, exerting themselves, or feeling stressed out. It usually doesn’t cause undue embarrassment or social anxiety because it is considered normal to sweat under those circumstances. For people with hyperhidrosis, however, sweat isn’t linked to these usual causes.
In fact, hyperhidrosis causes the body to sweat for no reason at all, and it isn’t just a small amount of sweat. The body will sweat profusely for those with this condition. It can be embarrassing and frustrating to deal with this condition and it can cause social anxiety for many as well as the hassle of dealing with sweat stains. People suffering from this condition will find that drug store antiperspirants do not fix the problem and even the more expensive stronger prescription antiperspirants don’t help very much.
When the various treatment options fail to prevent this excessive sweating, it can actually lead to other issues. Skin irritation is common due to the constant moisture, and this can also lead to bacterial infections, fungal overgrowths, and maceration of the skin.
Hyperhidrosis falls into two main types. There is the primary focal type which is when the excessive sweating is the medical condition, and it is not caused by another condition or medication use. Primary Focal Hyperhidrosis is usually symmetrical, and it most often occurs in the hands, feet, and underarms.
The second type of hyperhidrosis is the secondary generalized type. This type is caused by either another medical condition or medication use. It may not be symmetrical, and it usually starts in adulthood or at the onset of the primary condition.
How Botox Can Help Relieve Excessive Sweating
The solution may be very simple for many people: Botox. Sterling Heights dermatologists have quite a bit of success using Botox injections when treating hyperhidrosis. These injections work by relaxing the muscles around the injection site. The same effect that reduces the appearance of wrinkles also helps to reduce the amount of sweat produced in people with hyperhidrosis.
The injections interfere with the way the nerves tell the sweat glands to operate. Immediately around the injection site, the Botox gives patients the perspiration relief they desire. Botox won’t work permanently, but it is a relatively long-term solution that allows people to better enjoy their daily life.
Hyperhidrosis research has shown that Botox Injections are effective in many smaller areas of the body such as the armpits, feet, hands, and underneath the breasts. Patients that opt for this treatment plan generally see results in less than one week with some people even noticing an improvement in as little as two days. Plus, one round of Botox injections can last months, although the average for most people is somewhere between four and 12 months. This means that people with hyperhidrosis can finally find some relief from their symptoms.
The Botox Process
The dermatologist administering Botox injections will use a fine needle, and they will inject tiny amounts of the drug just under the skin in a problem area. The medication will be injected in a grid pattern that the doctor will map out beforehand to ensure it is effective.
After the initial treatment session of multiple injections, the dermatologist generally has patients return in one to two weeks for a follow-up visit. At the follow-up, the physician will ascertain whether there is a need for additional Botox injections. The patients that suffer from hyperhidrosis usually find that these treatments have helped to reduce their anxiety and improve their quality of life. If “touch-ups” are required, a dermatologist can do a few more Botox injections without disrupting your busy schedule.
While Botox is not considered a cure for hyperhidrosis because the symptoms will gradually return, it is a treatment that can be repeated in order to continue to reduce sweat and improve the lives of those suffering from the disorder.
Botox Injections Compared to Other Treatment Options
Most people that suffer from hyperhidrosis are happy to try any of the treatments available, and often Botox injections are seen as the last line of defense. Other options such as clothing that is sweat proof or prescription-strength antiperspirants are usually attempted first. However, if those options don’t offer relief for the severe and heavy sweating, Botox injections can be added to the treatment regimen.
As with any other type of treatment, a dermatologist will want to look at the person’s entire medical history to determine if the best step is Botox. Many dermatologists trust this treatment option because it is FDA approved and proven to be effective. While Botox injections for cosmetic purposes are not generally covered by insurance, those patients receiving injections for hyperhidrosis may find that they are covered due to the medical necessity of the procedure.
Find a Dermatologist to Discover if Botox is Right for Your Symptoms
Those seeking Botox injections in Sterling Heights, Grosse Pointe, or the surrounding areas, to help relieve the effects of hyperhidrosis and dealing with the embarrassing effects of severe sweating will be pleased to learn that there a number of knowledgeable dermatologist serving the area with individualized treatment options to deal with even the most severe cases of hyperhidrosis.
Excessive and uncontrollable sweating can cause people to stop living their lives to their full potential to avoid embarrassing situations. Even when traditional treatment options haven’t been successful, there is still hope for patients struggling with hyperhidrosis, and many of those patients find the hope that they need in the form of Botox injections.
Patients seeking hyperhidrosis treatments to manage excessive sweating can request a consultation at a nearby dermatologist today to see if Botox is right for them.