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Conditions

Hyperhidrosis

Excessive sweating in the armpit

Sweating is necessary to control your body temperature in warm or hot weather, or when exercising. In fact, on average, we lose over a litre of sweat a day and have an average of 2.6 million sweat glands in our skin to aid that process. However, around 1% of the population sweats excessively at times when they are neither hot nor exercising, which commonly affects the armpits, face, palms and soles of the feet. Known as hyperhidrosis, sufferers of this condition wish that they could just turn the tap off. It might not be as easy as that, but there are treatments available, one of which is a course of Botulinum toxin injections into the affected area. The fact that you’ve been botoxed probably won’t make the pages of Heat magazine, but it should block the nerves that supply the eccrine (sweat) glands, subsequently preventing them from producing sweat.

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What the Men in White Coats Say

Comments

The EB doctors have been looking at your comments and have answered some of the common questions below. Remember that it is always best to check with a health professional if you have any concerns about your health.

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Please note: Unfortunately Channel 4 cannot respond to individual inquiries. If you have any concerns, you can check out the Channel 4 Health site or NHS Choices, but ultimately it is always best to check with a health professional.

I have this problem, and have been to see the gp and hospital and have been told it will NOT be treated on the NHS, My only choice for treatment is to pay for it myself. I'm sorry but think that is so unbelievably unfair. Its not considered a health problem but only a cosmetic one. Yes its not dangerous but it is still not just a cosmetic thing is it?

hi im 21 and suffered wit realy bad sweating in da armpit region since puberty.literaly seconds aftr putn on shirt it would b soakd.few weks ago i used perspirex nd it workd.it did sting like mad bt waz totaly worth it.no sweat marks any more.make sure ur armpit bone dry b4 applyn it as it wnt sting nd fold arms bhind head 4 wile b4 go slep.it wnt hurt dat way

iv'e been a hairdresser for 10 years and suffered since then from under arm sweating. i always wear black cause its the only colour what does not show. i brought a product called pespirex which worked for a while but then made my arm pitts sore. i dont know what else to do. i am sick of wearing black, i want some colour in my life ! please help.

Hi,

I have been suffering from hyperdrolosis for over four years, and it has affected my whole life. I sometimes have to stay at home because if I go out with the family i know i will sweat, so instead of facing the embarrsement of sweating i stay at home. Also, I am using driclor recommended by the GP but it does not completely stop the sweating. Recentely, I am sweating more on my back and face. I try and avoid going to university in summer because I don't want people to see these sweat patches. Also, my underarms have massive black patches due to the use of driclor. Can somebody please HELP?

i am 14 and im suffering from sweat under my armpits it has been 2 years now and i cant do anything i am embarassed to tell my parents and i have tried some anti perspirant deodrants please can you help me thank you

i have an unusual sweating , i sweat down one side of my head from hairline and dripping down to neck .. i can actually wring my hair out on left hand side .. i am so embarrassed by this and it occurs with any exertion , esp when shopping .. i take a face cloth with me and hide in toilets etc and dry hair .. only for it to return … the result means i do not go out unless i really have to , and this causes masses of fights with my husband who says ive become a recluse …

hi im 17 and i have a really bad sweat problem on my face.. itis Ruining my life!!
its were my top brows and upper lip.. its like someone has threw a glass of water on my face! please can you help!

Hi, im 20 and suffer from excessive sweating under my armpits. I can only wear black and white, and can definately not wear Grey as it looks terrible, and since the start of this problem my confidence has suffered. I have tried perspirex and think i am allergic.
Can you help!!

i am 22 years old,i have already been to the doctors about my excessive sweating,i have used a deodrant they prescribed me it worked for a while on my arm pits but then stopped and made my arm pits sore,and its not just my arm pit that are the problem its all over.i am currently on propanorol and the maximum dose of 3 tablets a day but they arent helping at all.my doctor said there isnt anything else they can do but it is takin over as i cannot where light colours or anything i tend to wear black and it brings my confidence down

hi im 17 and have had the sweating porblem since pubity and dont no what to do. i have tried all anti-persperants. i dont no what to do no. i just have to take the dog for a walk and i come back sweating is there anything i can do?? thanks




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