Excessive sweating poses a significant problem for many people in terms of personal comfort and hygiene. First of all, let's take a look at what excessive sweating is, how it occurs, and what its causes are.
Causes and Types of Sweating
Sweating is a physiological, that is, normal, event that is necessary for the control of body temperature and fluid-electrolyte balance. Sweating at a rate of 1ml/m2/min is considered normal. In case of excessive sweating, this figure can increase 30 times. For example, when body temperature increases, sweat glands are activated via the sympathetic nervous system. In this way, the temperature of the skin decreases due to sweating and evaporation on the skin surface. However, some people may experience excessive sweating beyond physiological sweating.
Excessive sweating may occur only in the armpits, face, scalp or hands and feet, or it may occur throughout the body. Regional excessive sweating, which concerns the armpits, face, scalp, hands and feet, is a condition that begins in adolescence and may continue throughout life, although it decreases relatively in later ages. Although the prevalence in the population is around 4%, familial transmission is common. Although it can be continuous regardless of season or activity, a serious increase in the amount of sweating is observed in the summer months or with physical activity. The main reason is that the sympathetic nervous system does not work properly.
The causes of non-regional, whole-body excessive sweating are slightly different. The most common causes are physical activity, high temperature, stress, feverish diseases, menopause, obesity, some medications, diabetes, various hormone diseases (such as thyroid, adrenal gland, etc.) and some types of cancer.
Excessive Sweating and Social Problems
The most common problems faced by people who sweat excessively The most common problems include clothing selection and sweat odor. Gray-toned clothes are especially difficult to choose because they make sweating very obvious. Additionally, social problems may occur due to sweat odor. People with excessive hand sweating feel the need to dry their hands before shaking hands with other people. These and similar social problems, stress With its effect, it further increases excessive sweating in the person, causing a vicious cycle to occur.
Excessive Sweating Treatment
In order to treat excessive sweating, the underlying cause must first be investigated. Excessive sweating throughout the body may have one or more reasons, as mentioned above. If these causes are treated, excessive sweating will also improve. There are various surgical and non-surgical methods for the treatment of regional excessive sweating, which occurs due to the sympathetic nervous system not working properly. The most frequently preferred non-surgical method is botulinum toxin applications. Excessive sweating treatment with Botox can be successfully performed for the armpits, hands and feet, and even the scalp. Botox works by preventing sympathetic nerves from stimulating the sweat glands. The duration of effect is around 4-6 months.
Sweating treatment with Botox is also suitable for people who do not sweat excessively but are disturbed by local sweating, such as small amounts of underarm sweating. Reducing or stopping the activity of sweat glands in this area does not have a negative effect on the general health of the person. On the contrary, it has positive effects socially and psychologically. A single application in the spring will allow the person to spend the whole summer comfortably until the autumn.
Treatment of armpit sweating with Botox is a very comfortable and short procedure. In patients whose sweating map is not clear, the areas that sweat excessively are marked with the iodine-starch test. Then, numbing cream is applied to the relevant area and waited. Following this, botox application is performed in a 10-minute procedure, which will give you comfort for 4-6 months. After the procedure, it is enough to stay away from hot water for 2 weeks and take a bath with warm water. Since the hand and foot areas are very sensitive, blocks with local anesthesia are preferred, not creams, to anesthetize these areas.
Apart from Botox, regional sweating can also be treated with surgery. By cutting the relevant sympathetic nerves, excessive sweating is permanently prevented. However, due to the high risks that may occur when cutting these nerves, this technique is not preferred today. It is not done. Instead, permanent treatment with subcutaneous laser application through surgical intervention directly to the sweat glands is more preferred.
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