Do not use soap based products as these will exacerbate the situation. Instead use an emollient, available from any chemist. Initially a visit to your GP will confirm that you have hyperhidrosis. He or she will then probably start you on a course of 'Aluminium Chloride' (Driclor, Anhyrol Forte or Odaban) antiperspirant. It is not always successful and can be an irritant, but is worth trying; especially for hyperhidrosis of the axillae.
If you do not get a successful result using aluminium chloride, then, if you suffer from hyperhidrosis of the hands, feet or axillae, you will probably be referred to a Dermatologist.
Iontophoresis is defined as the topical introduction of ionized drugs into the skin using direct current. However, iontophoresis treatment with simple tap water alone is successful in a vast majority of people who suffer from hyperhidrosis of the hands and feet.
You place hands and or feet into the plastic baths of the machine and turn on the current using dials. Axillae electrodes and pads are placed in the armpit for treating the axillae. The current is turned up to an acceptable level of comfort (it feels a bit like pins and needles and is not painful) for a period of 20 minutes.
For those few people (about 15% of sufferers) who do not get a complete cessation of sweating from tap water Iontophoresis, a drug called Glycopyrromium Bromide, otherwise know as 'Robinul' which is available on prescription can be added to the tap water and will give good results.
The exact mechanism for the effects of tap water iontophoresis on hyperhidrosis remains uncertain, however, one school of thought suggests that a plug is formed, blocking the duct without damaging the sweat gland.
Iontophoresis is effective for 85% of hyperhidrosis sufferers using tap water alone. The other 15% can have totally effective treatment using Glycopyrromium Bromide (see above). Iontophoresis is slightly less effective for those who suffer from axillary hyperhidrosis.
Anything from a few days to several weeks, depending on the severity of the condition.
Totally. All machines are CE marked and conform to all EU regulations.
Generally no. However, it is important to follow the manufacturers guidelines to avoid mild burns and spasms of electrical current occurring. These are not painful or dangerous.
All those with Cardiac Pacemakers, metal orthopaedic implants and those who are pregnant.
You can either ask your GP to refer you to your local Dermatology Department and have a course of treatment there, or you can buy your own machine. Please contact:
STD Pharmaceuticals
Plough Lane
Hereford. HR4 0EL
Tel: 01432 373555
Fax: 01432 371314
Email: enquiries@stdpharm.co.uk
There is no VAT on these machines providing that you tick a box to say that you have hyperhidrosis.
We have a list of hospitals throughout the country that use Iontophoresis, so please drop us an email if you would like to know where to go in your area.
Botulinum Toxin, otherwise know as 'Botox' is a treatment given by injection into the skin. It is licensed in the UK for Axillary hyperhidrosis only. This drug has been used for many years to treat muscle spasms affecting the face, eyes and neck and for foot problems in children with cerebral palsy. It is also used for cosmetic reasons.
It is a preparation of protein and when small doses are injected into the skin, it blocks the nerves that supply the eccrine glands, this prevents the glands from producing sweat.
Botox permanently blocks the nerve endings, but over about 6-12 weeks, new nerve endings grow to replace them. This means that the effects of the treatment last for a few months, but further treatment is necessary.
Botox is available in a few NHS hospitals, but the procedure is mostly done in private hospitals or clinics.
Although generally this treatment is very successful for the axillae, some patients have experienced an increase in sweating in another part of the body. Occasionally a small amount of Botox may spread out from the injection site and affect a nearby nerve that supplies the muscle causing temporary weakness of the arm.
Flu-like symptoms may occur after treatment and will disappear within a few days. The injection site can also be a bit sore for a while.
Botox is not suitable for those who are allergic to any of its contents or for those who are pregnant or who suffer from muscle problems. Those on antibiotics or any drugs used as muscle relaxants should also not have treatment.
Please see under general information for details of this operation. It is generally successful for the hands, but can cause sweating to occur in other parts of the body. This is known as 'compensatory sweating'. A general anaesthetic is required and this treatment should be the very last course of action and only if all other treatments fail.
If you have any further questions that you would like answered, then please contact us by email at info@hyperhidrosisuk.org.
