A PROBLEM SHARED

Got a problem? Dr Ranj Singh is here to off er his advice

I sweat a lot, to the point where I have to change my top several times a day – and I am so embarrassed by it. I’ve heard you can have Botox in your armpits to counteract the problem? But does it work?

Tom, Colchester

Excessive sweating, or hyperhidrosis, is more common than people think. While sweating is a perfectly normal process to help regulate body temperature, for some it can go into overdrive and they sweat more than they actually need to. It can aff ect several areas, but hands, feet and armpits are the usual culprits.

In terms of treatment, there are several options, and you should try diff erent ones to see which suits you best.

If you sweat really excessively, then it’s worth chatting to your doctor fi rst to determine whether or not a medical condition is responsible. For example, thyroid problems, diabetes, certain neurological conditions and tumours can all cause sweating – although you would usually have other symptoms, too.

Otherwise, you could test over- the- counter products, such as an antiperspirant that contains zirconium. Ideally, buy a roll- on cream or stick that can be applied directly to the skin, as opposed to a spray.

Use it just before going to bed as well as during the day for maximum eff ectiveness.

If these don’t work, you can get stronger products that use aluminium chloride ( speak to the pharmacist), and these also need to be applied regularly each night. They can be eff ective, but one of the possible side eff ects is skin irritation.

Other alternatives typically involve a trip to the doctor and include prescribed medication and, in some cases, surgery.

As you mentioned, botulinum toxin injection – or Botox, as it’s known – has revolutionised things. This involves injecting tiny amounts of the toxin ( the same stuff folks use to relax wrinkles in the face) into the skin of the armpits. It is relatively quick and painless if you use skin- numbing cream, and a single treatment can significantly reduce sweating for up to six months.

Luckily, the side eff ects are minimal. The only issue is that it’s not normally available on the NHS, so you may need to book to have it done privately, and it can cost up to a few hundred pounds per appointment.

If you do decide to go ahead with Botox, make sure you fi nd a reputable clinic with a fullytrained practitioner.

“Botox can be effective for six months but isn’t available on the NHS”