Excessive under arm sweating
What is hyperhidrosis?
This is the name given to a condition in which there is excessive sweating. It may affect the hands, feet, groin or under the arms. Axillary hyperhidrosis refers to excessive under arm sweating.
What is the cause of excessive underarm sweating (axillary hyperhidrosis)?
The condition may be inherited or secondary to certain conditions including thyroid or pituitary disease, diabetes, medicines, menopause or in some cases an underlying malignancy. It is important to establish the underlying cause to ensure the correct treatment.
How can excessive underarm sweating (axillary hyperhidrosis) be treated?
For those patients in which other underlying conditions have been eliminated and topical agents are ineffective, various medicines have been used to control sweating. One option is injections into the skin under the arm. More invasive treatments include nerve blocks and surgery.
What are the side effects?
This injection should not be used in patients with neuromuscular disorders, those who are pregnant or breast feeding and if there is active infection or inflammation in the intended area of injection.
How long does the treatment last?
The injection treatment in the under arm skin usually lasts several months.
What does the procedure involve?
The procedure is performed as an outpatient. A local anaesthetic cream is applied and using a tiny needle a series of injections are placed in the skin under the arm. A light dressing is applied. The injections may take a couple of days to work.