Hyperhidrosis is a condition where an individual suffers from excessive perspiration. It can be specific to the hands, feet and armpits or to any part of the body where there is a large amount of sweat glands. The glands produce higher than usual amounts of sweat, causing difficulty for individuals to shake hands and carry out routine tasks.
Why does hyperhidrosis occur?
There are many reasons why hyperhidrosis can occur. Primary hyperhidrosis is a result of a genetic trait. Whereas secondary hyperhidrosis occurs for environmental reasons such as the thyroid or pituitary gland, menopause, certain drugs, diabetes mellitus or gout (crystallisation deposits of uric acid in joints).
How is hyperhidrosis treated?
Iontophoresis
Electric pulse therapy, known as Iontophoresis, is a treatment used to block the sweat glands with salts from tap water, reducing sweating over time.
WestCoast Vascular offers iontophoresis for feet, hands and underarms. It is a non-invasive and painless treatment for people suffering from excessive sweating. Children under the age of 16 can have Iontophoresis with consent from a medical practitioner and a parent or guardian.
WestCoast Vascular offers two different types of iontophoresis; saline and glycopyrrolate. Both treatments are very effective and painless. Please discuss which option is better for you at your initial consultation.
Injection therapy is a treatment that can be used to reduce sweating in the underarms. An alternative to surgery that WestCoast Vascualr is looking in to providing for patients.
Surgical Intervention
There are some medications that can be taken to alleviate the symptoms of hyperhidrosis. Medical procedures include cutting out, burning or clamping the sympathetic nerve that runs parallel to the spine. Clamping the sympathetic nerve is a safe procedure which can be reversed if necessary.
