Axillary Hyperhidrosis

Excessive sweating can be a very embarrassing condition. Raising an arm to wave to a friend, revealing an armpit soaked with sweat can be mortifying. Axillary hyperhidrosis is the medical term for extreme amounts of sweat in the armpits. It is characterized by overactive sweat glands that produce too much sweat, and it is practically impossible to treat with simple remedies like deodorants and similar odor-fighting agents.

Axillary hyperhidrosis sometimes occurs alongside excessive sweating in other areas of the body, but this isn't always the case. Oddly, sometimes axillary hyperhidrosis sometimes occurs only one side of the body. One underarm area behaves normally while the other sweats uncontrollably. Regardless of the exact location, axillary hyperhidrosis is an embarrassing disorder that is fortunately treatable.

Causes of Axillary Hyperhidrosis

The primary cause for this condition lies in the sympathetic nervous system. Specifically, over-stimulation of this part of the nervous system can trigger the excessive sweating. Stress and anxiety caused by external factors can cause axillary hyperhidrosis to kick into overdrive instantly. The condition usually first appears during a person's teenage years, though it sometimes appears earlier.

Treatments for the Condition

Treatment for axillary hyperhidrosis can be difficult issue. There are a number of options available: special antiperspirants, medications, and surgical operations. However, the disease is not yet fully understood, so treatment can be tricky. A number of the potential solutions to the problem bring unfortunate side effects or simply don't work for some people.

The most common ways to deal with axillary hyperhidrosis are through various medicines, including topical antiperspirant creams and oral medications. Oral medications tend to try and prevent the triggers of the problem, such as relieving stress. Topical creams can be effective but since they are so strong, can often leave the underarm area irritated.

Advanced Treatment

Another way to deal with axillary hyperhidrosis is with Botox. Botox injections help to block signals from the nerves that activate sweat glands. This can temporarily relieve the problem, although it may take many treatments before it actually takes effect.

The most permanent solutions to axillary hyperhidrosis are surgical. There are two main surgical options for this condition. One option is to surgically remove the sweat glands from the armpit altogether. The downside of this method is that it can leave scars, which will restrict the movement of the shoulder. However, it's also possible to remove the sweat glands through liposuction, which greatly reduces the scarring.

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