Sweating is a normal and important function of the body. However, some people suffer from extreme sweating that occurs regardless of the climate or physical exertion. At our dermatology practice Dr. Kors, a detailed consultation is an essential part of the successful treatment of hyperhidrosis in Berlin. Together with you, I will look at which approaches and therapies you can integrate into your everyday life to bring excessive sweating under control. We will initially focus on special creams and antiperspirants. If the desired treatment is not successful, hyperhidrosis can be treated with medical botulinum toxin.
Heat, sport, nervousness – it is completely natural for the human body to secrete sweat. In fact, sweating is a vital function for survival. One of its main tasks is to regulate the body’s temperature. When sweat evaporates from the skin, it cools it down as it draws heat from the skin and the blood vessels in the skin. It is also an important component of the skin’s protective acid mantle and prevents pathogens and germs from entering the body. Humans also excrete minerals and metabolic waste products through sweat. Sweating therefore also regulates the body’s mineral balance.
The body releases sweat not only during physical exertion or hot temperatures, but also during normal rest and in a mild, even climate. In some people, however, this process is excessive. Uncontrolled and extreme sweating is known as hyperhidrosis. In many cases, hyperhidrosis mainly affects the armpits and the palms of the hands. As the approximately two to three million sweat glands in humans are distributed over (almost) the entire body, it can also affect other areas of the body.
Those affected often suffer greatly from hyperfunction of the sweat glands. As the outbursts are neither predictable nor controllable, people often feel insecure and ashamed in everyday life. The excessive sweating severely restricts their quality of life and often leads to those affected becoming more and more withdrawn. Hyperhidrosis therapy in Berlin can help to alleviate people’s suffering and enable them to lead a more carefree everyday life.
In general, a distinction can be made between a primary and a secondary form of hyperhidrosis. In the case of primary hyperhidrosis, excessive sweating occurs independently of other factors such as another illness. The cause of hyperhidrosis is still unknown. The trigger for increased sweating is an overactive nerve: the sympathetic nervous system is directly connected to the sweat glands. If it is overstimulated, this leads to hyperfunction of the sweat glands and thus to heavy sweating. It is assumed that a hormonal imbalance is involved and that genetic predisposition also plays a role.
Secondary hyperhidrosis, on the other hand, occurs as a consequence or a kind of concomitant symptom of another illness or circumstance.
Possible causes of secondary hyperhidrosis:
Furthermore, taking certain medications or hormone preparations can also lead to hyperhidrosis.
Recognizing hyperhidrosis and distinguishing it from normal sweating is not always easy. If people notice that they are frequently experiencing heavy sweating without any recognizable cause, it is advisable to consult a doctor. In most cases, an experienced doctor can assess whether hyperhidrosis is present simply by taking a detailed medical history, known previous illnesses and symptoms. Depending on the suspicion, physical examinations and blood tests may be carried out, organ functions checked and, if necessary, images taken using imaging techniques.
Hyperhidrosis therapy in Berlin is individually adapted to your findings. First of all, we try to control excessive sweating with the help of special medical antiperspirants and creams. By narrowing the exit channel of the sweat glands, less sweat can reach the surface of the skin. They also care for the skin. Targeted relaxation exercises can also be part of hyperhidrosis therapy. Sweating is often triggered by stress and anxiety. Worrying about uncontrolled sweating can lead directly to the next episode. With appropriate exercises, the frequency and severity of outbreaks can be reduced for some patients. If these treatment approaches do not have the desired effect, severe sweating can be treated with medical botulinum toxin.
In general, Botox® is mainly known from the area of wrinkle treatment. Botulinum toxin is one of the most powerful neurotoxins. However, Botox® therapy is a very safe procedure when used correctly and in an appropriately low dosage. At our dermatology practice Dr. Kors, we use medical-grade, pure Botox® for the treatment of hyperhidrosis.
Other areas of application for botulinum toxin in medicine:
In hyperhidrosis treatment with Botox®, small amounts of the active ingredient are injected into the relevant area (usually the armpits or hands) using a fine cannula. Botulinum toxin inhibits the transmission of stimuli from the nerve (sympathetic nervous system) to the sweat glands. This reduces or stops the function of the sweat glands. They therefore no longer emit sweat.
Of course, hyperhidrosis therapy does not aim to stop sweating completely all over the body. After all, this is still an important function. The botulinum toxin treatment focuses on a specific area where the hyperhidrosis occurs. Sweat gland activity is to be inhibited in this area. In the other areas of the body, normal perspiration can take place without restriction and fulfill the usual tasks such as temperature regulation.
The effect of medical Botox® sets in gradually. The effect reaches its peak after about ten days (up to four weeks). As the body naturally breaks down the botulinum toxin, the results of hyperhidrosis treatment with Botox® are not permanent. If desired, however, the treatment can be repeated as soon as the excessive sweating has started again. In a joint consultation, we will determine at the appropriate time whether further treatment with botulinum toxin is recommended or whether further therapy should be continued with a different treatment method.
Hyperhidrosis therapy with antiperspirants and creams is an extremely gentle and low-risk method of combating excessive sweating. As a rule, there are no complications. Injections with botulinum toxin can lead to intolerance reactions in extremely rare cases. Inflammation, bruising and redness at the injection site are also possible. If the botulinum toxin is injected incorrectly, slight temporary muscle weakness may occur. In order to reduce the risk of complications to a minimum, it is important that patients entrust themselves to an experienced and specially trained doctor.
If you feel that you suffer from excessive sweating or have already been diagnosed with hyperhidrosis, we at Dr. Kors’ dermatology practice will be happy to help you. As part of a detailed consultation and a thorough examination, we will put together the most suitable treatment plan for you and monitor the development and success of the hyperhidrosis therapy in regular follow-up checks.
Hautzentrum Weissensee Dr. Kors · Schönstraße 5 · 13086 · Berlin-Weißensee · T 030 34 34 70 70 · F 030 34 34 70 72 8
