Treatments for Excessive Sweating

Offered at our convenient location in Hamburg

Treatment For Increased Sweating

Treatments for excessive sweating are ways to resolve the unwanted condition of uncontrollable sweating during everyday activities.

Increased Self-Esteem with Decreased Sweating

Treatments for excessive sweating can help restore confidence and self-esteem in social and professional settings.

Have you ever been embarrassed by excessive sweating? Maybe you’ve been in a work meeting and had to wipe your face many times. Maybe you’ve been on a date and noticed your underarms had embarrassing wet spots. The medical name for this condition is hyperhidrosis. Patients might not realize that there are several treatments available to resolve this undesirable condition. Excessive sweating can create uncomfortable situations.  

Dr. Dalia Tobbia performs corrections for hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating, from her clinic in Hamburg. Conveniently located to serve all of the Hamburg metropolitan areas, Dr. Dalia Tobbia can help patients overcome awkward situations that arise from hyperhidrosis. Dr. Dalia Tobbia is an internationally-renowned plastic surgeon who has trained and practiced aesthetic medicine on three continents. In addition to her technical credentials, she offers her patients a compassionate and empathetic ear.

To get in touch with Dr. Dalia Tobbia, please contact us online or call our Hamburg office at +49 (0) 40 46 091 076.

About Hyperhidrosis Treatment in Hamburg

Many people suffer from excessive sweating that occurs when the temperature isn’t hot and in the absence of physical exertion. Most commonly, this affects the underarms, palms of the hands, and soles of the feet. The sweat literally drips off and disrupts daily activities and leads to much social anxiety and embarrassment.

How Can I Treat Excessive Sweating?

One treatment is the injection of Botox to provide temporary relief lasting several months. For a more permanent solution, it is possible to reduce the number of sweat glands by sweat gland suction using a similar method to liposuction. However, this is only possible for the treatment of the armpits.

Benefits

  • Reduction in excessive sweating
  • Increased comfort
  • Boost in self-esteem professionally and socially
  • Improvement in psychological well-being

Hyperhidrosis

This condition leads to individuals sweating abnormally at almost all times. Sweat can drip from their hands at any time. Sweating can occur with no physical activity and when resting in cool environments. Doctors estimate that 1-2% of the population may suffer from hyperhidrosis.[1] For patients with hyperhidrosis, the sweat glands literally do not shut off as they do in patients without the condition. Sweat glands that do not shut off mean individuals can sweat at any time.

underarm sweat

Hyperhidrosis can arise in individuals who are otherwise healthy and suffer from no other underlying conditions. This seemingly minor condition can have significant psychological and social consequences. It can negatively affect self-esteem and comfort in social and professional settings. It may also become a comorbidity to other conditions such as bacterial infection, muscle cramps, or dermatitis. An amount of sweating that interferes with daily activities can be considered abnormal and might benefit from treatment.

Primary Hyperhidrosis

Also called focal hyperhidrosis, this version of the condition means people sweat excessively from the underarms, face, and hands for no apparent reason. Usually, sweat from primary hyperhidrosis comes from specific sweat glands, the eccrine sweat glands. Doctors are currently unsure what specifically causes primary hyperhidrosis. It may be hereditary. 

Secondary Hyperhidrosis

Also called general hyperhidrosis, this variation of the condition leads to excessive sweating over the entire body and may be triggered by environmental conditions or medications. The major difference between secondary and primary is that in general (secondary) hyperhidrosis, the entire body will sweat and sweat can often occur during sleep, which doesn’t usually happen with focal hyperhidrosis. Usually, secondary hyperhidrosis is caused by a specific medical condition. Potential causes can include pregnancy, obesity, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, anxiety, Parkinson’s, and lymphoma.

In these cases, treatment for the underlying condition is essential to reduce the symptoms of excessive sweating.

To determine which type of hyperhidrosis you might have, it’s crucial to have a consultation and examination with Dr. Dalia Tobbia. Treatment strategies are usually employed in an escalating manner. Patients will begin with minimally invasive treatments and then advance to a surgical approach if the need arises.

Your Personal Consultation with Dr. Dalia Tobbia

With this extensive training from around the world, Dr. Dalia Tobbia has a unique perspective that incorporates a wealth of knowledge.

Your journey to drier days begins with a consultation with Dr. Dalia Tobbia. Dr. Dalia Tobbia harnesses her expertise at aesthetic procedures and advanced skincare to best help you resolve conditions such as hyperhidrosis. Dr. Dalia Tobbia has a passion for her medical practice. She has trained on three continents, with medical training from Trinity College Dublin and  residency training at the Royal College of Surgeons, and the University of Göttingen, training in microsurgery from Chang Gung Memorial University Hospital in Taiwan and the University of Tokyo, and a research fellowship at the University of Toronto’s Department of Plastic Surgery.

During your consultation, she will review your medical history, conduct an initial examination, and discuss your expectations and goals. Dr. Dalia Tobbia will conduct a thorough evaluation and determine which type of hyperhidrosis you might be experiencing. She will then devise an individualized treatment plan to help you cope with this condition.

Treatment With Botox

This treatment can be used for the underarms, palms of the hands, and soles of the feet. Botox is injected into predetermined points using a very fine needle, usually without the need for local anaesthesia. After the Botox has been administered, cooling packs to the treated areas will help reduce any swelling. Strenuous physical activity, exposure to excessive heat, and saunas should be avoided immediately after treatment. 

botox sweating

Botox attained fame as a treatment for smoothing facial wrinkles. Botox is a neuromodulator and works by interrupting communication between nerves in the body. For wrinkles, it prevents muscles from contracting. This reduces wrinkles formed by muscle contraction. For hyperhidrosis, Botox works in a similar fashion. It blocks the communications between the nerves that activate the sweat glands. By blocking these nerve signals, Botox prevents the sweat glands from becoming activated, which prevents sweating. Botox has proven very effective in reducing excessive sweating in clinical situations.[2] Botox has also been shown to substantially increase quality of life measurements for patients suffering from hyperhidrosis.[3]

The effects of having Botox injected become apparent after 1 week, and last between 3-6 months.

Treatment By Sweat Gland Suction Surgery

This method is indicated for the underarm area only. Dr. Dalia Tobbia will make one or two small incisions in the area under the arm and inject a solution containing local anaesthesia. The solution will minimize bleeding which decreases the risk of complications. It also removes the need for general anaesthesia and the risks associated with that.

The sweat glands are suctioned using very small cannulas reducing their numbers to ultimately diminish sweat output. Compression is applied for about a week. The sweat glands removed cannot regrow and therefore the results are long-lasting.

The surgery is performed on the deep dermis and subcutaneous layers of the skin. Because most patients prefer the greatest reduction in excessive sweating, most patients prefer to remove as many sweat glands as possible. Aggressive removal of sweat glands will lead to some scarring, but the location is usually completely hidden from view most of the time.

Recovery

Sweat gland removal surgery is minimally invasive. It’s also a safe but delicate surgery when performed by an expert. Recovery is straightforward. Patients can expect some swelling and redness for a few days up to a few weeks. For any minor discomfort, cold compresses or ice packs may be applied to reduce the swelling.

Results

Overall, the surgery has very low rates of complications and a very high rate of success at reducing excessive sweating when performed by an experienced surgeon such as Dr. Dalia Tobbia.[4] 

How Much Do Excessive Sweating Treatments Cost?

Treatments are customized according to each patient’s individual situation. Some patients may require more injections or longer surgery than other patients. During your consultation, Dr. Dalia Tobbia will assess your situation and provide you with transparent pricing after she understands what you will need.

FAQ

Is excessive sweating a sign of heart problems? 

Usually, excessive sweating is a harmless condition that can occur in otherwise healthy patients. However, you should always get examined by a knowledgeable physician as in some uncommon cases it may be a sign of a greater health condition.

Does excessive sweating go away with age?

Not usually. In one study, 88% of respondents said excessive sweating did not go away with age and in many cases, the condition worsened.

References

  1. Nazario, B. (2020, September 14). What Causes Excessive Sweating? Primary and Secondary Hyperhidrosis. Retrieved September 29, 2020, from https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/hyperhidrosis-causes-11
  2. Naumann M, Lowe NJ, Kumar CR, Hamm H. (2003) Hyperhidrosis Clinical Investigators Group. Botulinum toxin type a is a safe and effective treatment for axillary hyperhidrosis over 16 months: a prospective study. Archives of Dermatology. 2003 Jun;139(6):731-6. doi: 10.1001/archderm.139.6.731
  3. Naumann MK, Hamm H, Lowe NJ. (2002) Botox Hyperhidrosis Clinical Study Group. Effect of botulinum toxin type A on quality of life measures in patients with excessive axillary sweating: a randomized controlled trial. British Journal of Dermatology. 2002 Dec;147(6):1218-26. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2133.2002.05059.x
  4. Rezende, R. M., & Luz, F. B. (2014). Surgical treatment of axillary hyperhidrosis by suction-curettage of sweat glands. Anais brasileiros de dermatologia, 89(6), 940–954. https://doi.org/10.1590/abd1806-4841.20142873
  5. International Hyperhidrosis Society: Official Site. (1970, September 14). The Year Hyperhidrosis Went Mainstream. Retrieved September 29, 2020, from https://sweathelp.org/sweatsolutions-newsletter/news-blog/375-the-year-hyperhidrosis-went-mainstream.html