When the temperature starts to heat up and your body starts moving, it’s only natural to start sweating. But no matter how cold it gets, or how inactive you’ve been, you just can’t seem to stop sweating. It’s more than a little perspiration; in fact, you sometimes think you’re sweating enough for an Olympic athlete.
If this sounds familiar to you, then you may be suffering from a chronic condition known as hyperhidrosis. This condition could be highly localized to specific parts of the body (for example, the armpits or hands), or it could be more generalized, meaning that excessive sweating occurs everywhere. While hyperhidrosis is most common during a person’s adolescent years (blame puberty!), some adults still suffer from this embarrassing problem.
What Causes Hyperhidrosis?
Hyperhidrosis can congenital – meaning you’ve inherited the condition – or it could be caused by a number of underlying problems. The most common issues that cause excessive sweating as a secondary symptom include obesity, menopause, gout, diabetes, and an overactive thyroid gland. Therefore, it’s important to get a diagnosis from your doctor to determine if your excessive sweating is congenital or caused by something else altogether.
For people who suffer from hyperhidrosis, this can be an embarrassing and even debilitating problem. People who sweat excessively may be reluctant to pursue job opportunities or engage in an active social life. Therefore, it’s critical for these individuals to pursue treatment for hyperhidrosis, which can be surprisingly easy.
Treating Hyperhidrosis
For some people with hyperhidrosis, stopping excessive sweating can be as simple as using a prescription-grade anti-perspirants. However, at Beaux Arts Institute of Plastic Surgery in Lanham, Maryland – also serving the greater Baltimore & Washington DC areas – Dr. Nia Banks and her staff have two treatment options:
- Botox: This anti-aging injection is being increasingly used to treat excessive sweating ever since the FDA approved it. Botox works by stopping overactive sweat glands from producing – you guessed it – sweat. This results in a dry surface that’s free from excessive sweating. However, it’s important to note that the results from Botox aren’t permanent; patients will need to receive injections every six months or so.
- Laser: At Beaux Arts Institute, Dr. Banks uses laser treatments to permanently get rid of excessive sweating. Banks uses the Cynosure TriPlex laser, which is the same laser used in SmartLipo procedures. This laser delivers controlled ultrasound heat beneath the skin, which can permanently reduce and even stop excessive production of sweat.
For more information about treating hyperhidrosis, schedule a consultation with Dr. Nia Banks at Beaux Arts Institute of Plastic Surgery today. We’re just a short drive from both the Baltimore and DC metropolitans.
To schedule your consultation please fill out the form in the top left corner or call 301-88-7022.