The Asian Age

Don’t SWEAT, THERE’S help!

Excessive sweating can get unnerving. But, there is a cure, which offers a long-term solution. We check with an expert for more...

- DR SANJEEV NELOGI

Hyperhidro­sis, or excessive sweating, is a common disorder, which plagues many. Significan­t discomfort aside, excessive sweating leads to embarrassm­ent. While the health problem is not fatal, it is a common occurrence during the summer. Many suffer from excessive sweating of the under-arms (axillary hyperhidro­sis) or of the palms and soles of the feet (palmoplant­ar hyperhidro­sis). In a bid to treat the common syndrome, aixillae Botox (Botulinum toxin) is carried out.

This is a very simple procedure, performed in an OPD by a trained medical profession­al. The treatment is often termed a ‘ lunch time procedure’ as it has no downtime. About 80-100 units of BOTOX are injected in the axillae, into the dermis with a very fine needle. This is where the sweat glands are present. Therefore, these injections reduce the excessive sweating for 4-6 months.

A session approximat­ely cost s around `.25,000`.30,000. The procedure is safe for anyone above 19 years of age. The treatment approved in the U.S. by the Food and Drug Administra­tion (FDA). And in India, by the DCGI.

Underarm odour issues tend to begin around puberty.

However, palm and sole sweating may start earlier, often during childhood. Untreated, these problems may continue throughout life – only to become severe over time.

Sweating is embarrassi­ng, stains clothes, and may complicate business and social interactio­ns. Severe cases can have serious practical consequenc­es, like making it difficult to hold a pen, grip a steering wheel, or shake hands.

Although neurologic, metabolic, and other systemic diseases can sometimes cause excessive sweating, most cases occur in people who are otherwise healthy. Heat and emotions may trigger hyperhidro­sis in some, but many who suffer from hyperhidro­sis perspire nearly all the time, regardless of their mood or the weather.

 ??  ?? A file picture of Halle Berry, who had suffered from Hyperhidro­sis in the past, used for representa­tional purposes only.
A file picture of Halle Berry, who had suffered from Hyperhidro­sis in the past, used for representa­tional purposes only.
 ?? DR SANJEEV NELOGI ??
DR SANJEEV NELOGI

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