Excessive sweating of the whole body
Excessive sweating of the whole body is not only an aesthetic problem. It can make our daily life, both personal and social, uncomfortable. It also very often leads to psychological problems, such as reduced self-esteem or even the development of depression. Technically, this disorder is called generalized hyperhidrosis and affects people regardless of age or gender.
What is hyperhidrosis and how to recognize it
Hyperhidrosis is a condition in which the body produces significantly more sweat than it needs for thermoregulation.
A healthy person sweats in response to heat or physical (sometimes mental) stress. In hyperhidrosis, the sweat glands work excessively, even when the person is at rest, i.e. without an obvious trigger. The generalized form of hyperhidrosis affects multiple areas at once or the entire surface of the body.
Summary: If you sweat significantly more for no apparent reason and sweating complicates your daily life, it is probably hyperhidrosis, which deserves a professional consultation.
The most common causes of excessive sweating
It is crucial to distinguish between primary and secondary hyperhidrosis. Primary hyperhidrosis does not have a clear organic cause. It arises due to hypersensitivity of the nervous system and usually manifests itself from a young age.
Secondary hyperhidrosis is a symptom of another disease or a side effect of medications. The most common causes include:
- Hormonal changes, such as menopause or hyperthyroidism
- Infections and inflammations
- Neurological diseases or disorders of the autonomic nervous system
- Tumor diseases, in which night sweats can be one of the first symptoms of the disease
- Side effects of antidepressants, antipyretics or blood pressure medications
Night sweats of the whole body always deserve a thorough medical examination. Without determining the cause, the correct treatment cannot be chosen.
Recommendation: Before starting treatment, it is necessary to exclude secondary causes. Treating symptoms without knowing the cause does not lead to a satisfactory long-term result.
How excessive sweating of the whole body affects the quality of life
The impact of hyperhidrosis is often more extensive than it seems. Sufferers choose clothes only based on how well they can mask sweat stains. They avoid shaking hands or situations where they are the center of attention.
Sweating at work or in public leads to a loss of self-confidence. Stress intensifies sweating, and more sweating causes more stress. A vicious cycle is created that is difficult to break without professional help.
Research in dermatology shows that hyperhidrosis has a comparable impact on the quality of life as serious skin diseases, such as psoriasis or eczema.
Summary: Hyperhidrosis is not just a cosmetic problem. It is a condition with a direct impact on the psyche and daily functioning. Treatment is available and effective.
Treatment options for excessive sweating without surgery
- Antiperspirants with a high content of aluminum salts are often the first step that people try. However, their effect is unreliable. They are not enough for moderate and severe hyperhidrosis and do not bring permanent results even for milder forms. They usually require application several times a day. For many patients, this is a solution that masks the problem rather than actually solving it.
- Iontophoresis uses a weak electric current to block the sweat glands. It requires regular sessions and is more suitable for localized problems (e.g. palms, soles, etc.)
- Oral anticholinergics reduce the activity of the sweat glands overall. Their use limits side effects, especially dry mouth.
- Surgical methods are reserved for the most severe cases. They carry the risk of compensatory sweating elsewhere on the body.
- BTX injection therapy is today the most popular minimally invasive solution. It is fast, effective, safe and does not require recovery.
Recommendation: For most patients with hyperhidrosis, BTX therapy is the ideal solution. We recommend consulting a doctor before choosing a method.
How does the treatment of excessive sweating work
The principle of BTX therapy is straightforward. BTX blocks the nerve endings that transmit signals to the sweat glands, which then simply stop producing sweat. The procedure begins with numbing the area, after which the doctor injects small doses of BTX into the subcutaneous tissue with a fine needle.
The entire treatment takes 10 to 15 minutes and the full effect occurs within a few days. The results usually last for 6 to 12 months, and after the procedure has subsided, the procedure can be repeated without difficulty. Recovery is minimal and you can return to normal life almost immediately, only intensive sports, saunas and solariums should wait approximately two days. The armpits are most often treated. However, BTX is also applied to the palms, back, feet or scalp. At our Hello Beauty Clinic in Pilsen, these procedures are performed by Eva Boháčová, MD, a specialist in BTX application.
Is BTX treatment for hyperhidrosis safe?
If you have concerns about BTX, know that they are unnecessary. It is a well-proven method that, in the hands of an experienced doctor, is safe, gentle and today is considered the most effective solution for hyperhidrosis available. The body has over two million sweat glands distributed throughout the skin surface. BTX affects only a small part of them and the body's thermoregulation remains intact.
Side effects are rare and usually temporary. Most often, they are mild redness or sensitivity at the injection site, which subsides within a few hours to days. Small bruises may occasionally appear, but these also disappear quickly. BTX is a substance with a long history of safe use not only in aesthetic medicine, but also in neurology, ophthalmology, urology and gynecology.
Contraindications
- Pregnancy
- Breastfeeding
- Allergies to the substance
- Neurosmuscular diseases
- Acute infectious diseases
Frequently asked questions about sweating (FAQ)
How do I know if I have hyperhidrosis?
The key difference is whether the sweating is appropriate for the situation. A healthy person sweats when exposed to heat or physical exertion. In hyperhidrosis, sweat is produced even at rest, in the cold, for no apparent reason. If this situation recurs and limits your daily life, a medical consultation is appropriate.
How long does the effect of BTX last in the treatment of excessive sweating?
The effect lasts an average of 6 to 12 months. It depends on the treated area and the patient's metabolism. After the effect wears off, the sweat glands return to their original activity and the treatment can be safely repeated. Repeated applications do not have any negative effect on health either.
Can men also undergo BTX injections for excessive sweating?
Yes, BTX treatment of hyperhidrosis is suitable for both men and women. Men suffer from excessive sweating at least as often as women. At Hello Beauty Clinic, we treat hyperhidrosis in both men and women.
Does the body sweat compensatoryly elsewhere after BTX treatment?
Compensatory sweating does not occur after BTX therapy. The remaining glands will ensure thermoregulation without problems. Compensatory sweating is a risk of surgical methods. This does not occur with BTX applications due to the small treatment areas.
Excessive sweating does not have to be a part of your life
Hyperhidrosis is a condition with a real impact on everyday life. It limits your work, social life and sports, and often interferes with your self-confidence and interpersonal relationships. Nevertheless, most sufferers put up with it for years because they do not believe that there is a solution that really works.
Modern aesthetic medicine today offers methods that are fast, safe and bring measurable results. BTX therapy for hyperhidrosis is at the top of the list, and rightly so. Thanks to it, tens of thousands of patients around the world can wear light-colored T-shirts again without fear, shake hands without embarrassment and focus on what is really important at work.
At Hello Beauty Clinic, we address the issue of excessive sweating with professional care and an individual approach. Every patient is different and we tailor each solution to the specific situation. If hyperhidrosis is limiting you, the first step is simple. Arrange a free consultation and together we will find a way to restore your well-being and self-confidence.
Interested in eliminating sweating? Book a free consultation.
