AXILLARY HYPERHIDROSIS

Axillary hyperhidrosis (excessive arm-pit sweating) may occur in isolation or associated with excessive sweating in other areas of the body such as the hands. Patients usually complain of severe social embarrassment and ruined clothing.

When conservative topical treatments have failed , patients are referred for specialist treatment. The best treatment for isolated axillary hyperhidrosis is Botulinum Toxin injections into the axillary skin. This is simple, safe and highly effective treatment which can be performed in the out-patient clinic setting. Usually about 12 tiny injections are performed into each arm-pit. It hurts a little but the results are very good with most patients reporting almost instant success! Some patients find that they do not even need to use any deodorant/antiperspirants afterwards. About 70% patients find that the sweating recurs within six months or so but the injections can be repeated without any major side-effects.

ETS (Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy) may be used to treat patients who have severe hand sweating as well as arm-pit sweating. But ETS is less effective for the arm-pits than the hands.