It’s been another week of “record” heat in Nashville, each day hotter than the one before, with no end in sight. With temperatures nearing 100 degrees, many of us may feel that we are sweating more than we usually do. But what if you are sweating equally as much when there is snow on the ground as you do in the middle of summer?
Do you Suffer From Excessive Sweating?
Sweating is our body’s natural response to a rise in temperature; this can be caused by external factors, such as the hot summer sun or too many layers, or internal factors, such as a fever or the ingestion of alcohol or spicy foods. However, many people sweat, sometimes excessively, while even sitting behind a computer in a temperature-controlled office. There is actually a medical name for this condition: hyperhidrosis, which is characterized by excessive sweating. You may be familiar with the term “hyperhidrosis,” but what exactly does it mean?
What is Hyperhidrosis?
Hyperhidrosis is defined as “abnormally excessive sweating that’s not necessarily related to higher temperatures or exercise.” It has been estimated that 3% of the population suffers from excessive sweating, which can be the result of the body’s cooling mechanism switching into overdrive, thus producing four to five times the amount of perspiration necessary to adequately cool the body. People with hyperhidrosis may sweat excessively from one area of the body, such as the underarms, or multiple body sites, such as the hands and feet. As you can imagine, this can be life-altering, not just physically, but mentally and socially as well. It’s hard to imagine never leaving the house without an extra shirt, or being afraid to greet someone with a hug or handshake; for people with hyperhidrosis, this is their way of life.
Thankfully, there are several options available for treating hyperhidrosis. Many people choose to begin by using a prescription-strength antiperspirant; these are usually applied at night, before bed. If those do not reduce the symptoms of excessive sweating, there are other, more “aggressive” options available. At Gold Skincare Center in Nashville, our cosmetic dermatologists frequently perform two procedures for the treatment of hyperhidrosis: injections of Botox (yes, the same Botox used to soften fine lines and wrinkles in the face), which works by blocking the chemical release between nerve cells, in turn decreasing the production of sweat, and miraDry, a procedure which utilizes microwaves of energy to essentially destroy sweat and odor glands. MiraDry has an added bonus of destroying the hair follicles in the area as well, with most patients experiencing a dramatic reduction in hair growth. While the miraDry procedure is slightly more invasive and requires a few days of downtime, it does lead to a more permanent sweat reduction, while the effects of Botox will last an average of 3-4 months. However, when treating hyperhidrosis, Botox can be used in the hands, feet, and underarm areas with no downtime, while miraDry is currently only being used to treat the underarm area.
Contact a Nashville Dermatologist Today!
If you would like more information regarding treatments for hyperhidrosis and excessive sweating, contact the providers at Gold Skincare Center to discuss which option may be the best fit for you. Our Nashville facility is staffed by some of the best cosmetic dermatologists in the country, which allows us to offer the best skincare treatment! Contact us today to schedule an appointment for hyperhidrosis or any other condition!
