Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition in which the body overuses its natural regulatory cooling system, also known as sweat. Our bodies are usually excellent at maintaining a set body temperature but, unfortunately, sometimes the nervous system can over-activate the sweat glands. This results in dysregulation and leads to excessive sweating and discomfort.
Three of the most common forms of hyperhidrosis are axillary hyperhidrosis, palmar hyperhidrosis, and plantar hyperhidrosis. Axillary hyperhidrosis refers to overactive sweat glands in the armpits, which can be exacerbated due to nerves, physical activity, or a hot and humid climate. Plantar hyperhidrosis is defined as overactive sweat glands on the soles of the feet, and it is sometimes coupled with palmar hyperhidrosis.
Palmar hyperhidrosis refers specifically to sweaty palms or sweaty hands. It is a common form of hyperhidrosis that typically develops in late adolescence or early adulthood. Most patients realize that they have palmar hyperhidrosis after experiencing an impact on their quality of life, such as difficulty writing due to sweating through paper, or embarrassment when shaking hands. Research is ongoing for palmar hyperhidrosis and hyperhidrosis at large, and Botox injections have become an exciting solution to treat the uncomfortable symptoms of palmar hyperhidrosis.
What causes Palmar Hyperhidrosis?
The most common classification of hyperhidrosis, primary focal hyperhidrosis, is defined by nerves that signal sweat glands too frequently, thus leading to overactive sweat glands and excess sweat. Typically, primary focal hyperhidrosis affects a specific area of the body like the armpits, feet, hands, or forehead and usually worsens with nervousness or stress. Sweating caused by primary focal hyperhidrosis typically occurs symmetrically on each side of the body. Palmar hyperhidrosis is a common part of primary focal hyperhidrosis, which can sometimes be accompanied by sweat on the soles of the feet or the face. Though there is no known cause of primary hyperhidrosis, there is increasing evidence to suggest that there is a genetic component to the condition. More research needs to be done to support this hypothesis but published papers suggest that the development of hyperhidrosis is linked to a dominant gene.
The second type of hyperhidrosis, called secondary generalized hyperhidrosis, is excessive sweating as a result of medical conditions, such as diabetes, nervous system disorders, menopause, certain cancers, and thyroid problems. Secondary generalized hyperhidrosis is characterized by sweating across large areas of the body rather than one specific region. In the case of secondary hyperhidrosis, the primary medical condition should be addressed to eliminate excessive sweating. Additionally, certain medications can be the primary cause of hyperhidrosis. If hyperhidrosis and a definitive diagnosis should be made.
Does Palmar Hyperhidrosis go away?
When seeking a cure for hyperhidrosis, it is important to figure out which type you have, as the type of hyperhidrosis determines how the symptoms will go away. If you are suffering from primary focal hyperhidrosis, there is no cure for the condition itself, rather treatment focuses on eliminating the symptoms. Primary focal hyperhidrosis affects specific areas of the body like the underarms, hands, feet, and face and so treatment will be focused on reducing or eliminating sweat in those areas.
Secondary generalized hyperhidrosis, on the other hand, is caused by an underlying medical condition such as diabetes, leukemia, anxiety/stress, hormonal fluctuations, or an infectious disease. Excessive sweating can occur as a side effect of these conditions and if that is the case, it is important to address the health condition for the hyperhidrosis to go away. Secondary generalized hyperhidrosis can also occur as a side effect of the medication that you are taking. If you are finding that is the case, please consult with your primary physician to discuss options.
Exciting News!
For many patients, the journey to find a solution for palmar hyperhidrosis ends with Botoxin injections. Botoxin treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis is an ideal option for those looking for consistent relief of sweaty palms!
How to cure palmar hyperhidrosis naturally
You cannot cure palmar hyperhidrosis naturally but Botoxin injections can potentially and temporarily reduce the amount of sweat excreted and help with the condition.
Does Botulinum toxin work for palmar hyperhidrosis?
Yes, Botoxin is one of the best options for treating palmar hyperhidrosis and is a great alternative if other treatment options have failed to bring about the desired results. Botox, named for botulinum toxin type A, is a neurotoxin that halts the innervation of nerve endings. Botulinum toxin injections are used to disable the sweat glands. Botox acts by blocking the release of acetylcholine and shuts down the action of the sweat glands at the site of injection. The effects of Botox injections can last from 4 to 6 months, depending on the area being treated, and have been shown to reduce sweating by 80 to 90 percent. After treatment, the most common side effects are mild muscle weakness (a looser grip), and occasional bruising. Most patients leave their appointment requiring no downtime. Relief from excessive sweating is usually in full effect one to two weeks following treatment.
How common is Palmar Hyperhidrosis?
Sweating is very normal, and most people will find that their palms get sweaty in a variety of situations like engaging in intense physical exercise, spending time in a very warm environment, or being in a nerve-wracking situation like giving a speech in front of a large group of important people. But for those suffering from palmar hyperhidrosis, severe sweating occurs on the hands and/or palms outside of these normal situations. Excessive sweating can happen when you are just sitting at your desk doing work or in a regular social situation and can cause distress or embarrassment. It does not help that palmar hyperhidrosis is exacerbated in stressful situations. When you’re suffering from this condition, it is easy to feel alone but in reality, millions of Americans deal with hyperhidrosis of the palms of hands. It is estimated that 1 to 3 percent of the population suffers from palmar hyperhidrosis. Sometimes, that lonely, embarrassed feeling can keep people from seeking treatment for the condition.
How long does Botox last for Palmar Hyperhidrosis?
As Botox injections are nonpermanent, the results of Botox for palmar hyperhidrosis are also, unfortunately, temporary. However, many patients find that the relief from excessive sweating thanks to one Botox injection treatment can last upwards of six months. For optimal and continual relief from hyperhidrosis is suggested that treatment be repeated every 6 months for best results.
How many units of Botox for Palmar Hyperhidrosis?
On average, patients require a minimum of 100 units of Botox for a single treatment, in both palms. Depending on the size of one’s palm, 0.1 cc aliquots of Botoxin are injected in 20 to 30 discreet areas of the hand. The injections are spaced approximately 1 cm apart within the areas that are impacted by hyperhidrosis.
Is Botox safe for Hyperhidrosis?
Yes! Botox is both safe and effective for treating palmar hyperhidrosis when the treatment is done by an experienced and expert dermatologist like Dr. Green. The procedure itself is relatively painless and there is no downtime necessary following the treatment, meaning you can return to your regular activities immediately. There are very few potential side effects, which include bruising and muscle weakness in the hands. Further, there is very little evidence to support that the treatment leads to compensatory sweating elsewhere in the body. In other words, there is minimal risk that your body will compensate for the lack of sweating in your palms by sweating in other areas of your body. That said, Botox treatment is a very delicate procedure, and the risk of potential side effects decreases significantly if you go through the process with a board-certified dermatologist like Dr. Green as opposed to a nurse at a Spa treatment facility.
Which Botox is the safest?
There are currently four FDA-approved forms of neurotoxins on the market: Botox, Dysport, Jeaveau, and Xeomin. These different formulations all contain botulinum toxin type A and have similar safety levels. They have also been used for “off-label” treatment of hyperhidrosis with great success. Botox, however, is the only Botox that has been FDA-approved to treat axillary (underarm) hyperhidrosis whereas the other formulations have not been cleared to treat any form of hyperhidrosis at all. It is also important to note that Jeaveau is a much newer formulation of Botox and has only been on the market since 2019.
Which Botox is the best for sweat? Which Botox is better for sweaty palms?
There are a few different formulations of Botulinum toxin available on the market and they all work equally well in treating palmar hyperhidrosis. Although they may be slightly different variations, they are still derived from botulinum toxin type A and will work to halt signals to the nerve endings that function to stimulate sweat production.
How much is Botox for palmar hyperhidrosis/sweaty palms?
The cost of Botox for palmar hyperhidrosis will depend on how many units of Botox are needed, the geographic location you choose to get injected in, and the experience of the injector. The amount of Botox needed will vary from person to person, and the needs of each patient. Men typically have larger hands and stronger muscles than women and require more units of Botox per area. While the average number of units necessary is 100 units, patients may require more or less depending on their condition and the size of their hands.
What does Botox do for armpits?
Individuals who suffer from primary focal hyperhidrosis may excessively sweat in more areas than one. Many individuals suffer from both palmar and axillary (armpit) hyperhidrosis. Fortunately, Botox is great for reducing underarm sweating through injections as well and in the same fashion reduces sweating by blocking the effects of overactive nerve endings.