Experts agree that excessive sweating, hyperhidrosis, is defined by the patient himself: we dare not shake hands, nor wear silk blouses, converses or other Reeboks ... no question so much our feet macerate inside!

To overcome this pathology, not very serious but can seriously impact our lives every day there are remedies more or less drastic following the importance of perspiration.

When the sweat glands get excited

When it's hot, or during physical exertion or during a stress our sweat glands, under the command of the hypothalamus secrete sweat in order to regulate our internal thermostat (at 37 °) and we avoid a heatstroke.

When our temperature rises it reacts to dilate the arteries and increase the production of sweat which, when it evaporates, cools our body. But sometimes this beautiful system is racing.

The causes may be genetic (in 30% of cases), following hyperthyroidism, taking certain drugs, or the consequence of being overweight. It is therefore reasonable, when our perspiration affects our whole life, to consult a doctor who will advise us more or less drastic means to overcome it.

Antiperspirants: effective but controversial

Based on aluminum salts (chloride or hydrochloride), they obstruct the ducts of the sweat glands and therefore greatly reduce the secretion of sweat.

They have been accused of causing cancer. Nothing is really proven today but some doctors, and many of us, prefer to opt for other solutions.

Medications: a lot of side effects

Anticholinergics have sometimes been prescribed to block certain biological reactions, including the production of sweat. But their side effects (dryness of the mouth, less tears, loss of taste) make them reserved for extremely serious cases such as sweating anarchic all over the body.

Iontophoresis: electricity to plug the sweat ducts

This technique is especially valid for the hands and feet. This is to pass a light electric current to cause a thickening of the epidermis that partially blocks the sweat ducts.

How does it happen ? At the doctor's, we dip our hands and / or our feet in a tub in which is placed an electrode connected to a generator that delivers a current of 20 milliamperes. In the attack phase it takes 3 sessions the 1st week, 3 the following week, then one the next two weeks. Then a maintenance session once a month. The session, not painful lasts from 30 to 45 mns. If the first sessions are in private practice, there are devices to buy to do the treatment at home.

The consequences: the results are good from the first sessions and improve over the iontophoresis.

The price: 50 € about the session. Not supported by Social Security.

Injections of botulinum toxin: good results to be repeated every 6 months

The toxin will block nerve transmissions to the sweat glands of the underarms or hands.

How does it happen ? After applying an anesthetic cream the doctor will make a subcutaneous injection of a small dose of toxin centimeters per centimeter under our armpits or on the palms of our hands.

The consequences: the reduction of perspiration is excellent, in one session (about 82%) but we must redo a session every 6 months or so.

The price: 800 € by injection.

Surgery: definitive intervention, for a severe case!

This operation consists of destroying the sympathetic ganglia that innervate the sweat glands of the hands .

How does it happen ? In the operating room, under general anesthesia (plan a visit with the anesthetist as for any operation) and most often under endoscopy (introduction of a camera) which reduces the size of the incisions - under the armpits and under the shoulder blades - and our recovery time.

The suites: you can go home the next day and resume normal activities 2 to 3 days later. Sometimes during the first weeks we notice a hyper dry hands, to compensate with a good moisturizer. We review the surgeon a month after the procedure. The results are final.

The price: in very severe cases it can be taken care of by the Health Insurance.

Miradry short microwaves: a definitive new treatment in France

This technique is aimed at underarm hypersudation, and uses the action of short microwaves. The sweat glands are full of water and heating them is destroyed specifically and forever because you should know that these glands do not reform.

How does it happen ? In the office, under local anesthesia (injections of Xylocaine), the doctor sucks the skin of our armpits by a suction cup to plaster it under a kind of electrode that will emit a thermal current causing the specific destruction of the glands. We repeat the impacts 2cm2 by 2 cm2. It takes about two hours for both armpits. The results are final but in 20% of the cases a second session is necessary at two months of interval for a complete result.

The following: a small inflammation, localized swelling, temporary discomfort that does not prevent returning to work within 24 hours. And the next day the decrease of our perspiration is really noticeable.
Finally, reassure us: the fact of permanently suppressing underarm perspiration is not harmful to the body since 2% of our sweat is secreted by these glands.

Finally, a collateral benefit: this Miradry treatment permanently removes hair, even whites.

The price: 2400 € the first session, 1200 € if a second is necessary. No support by social security.

Thank you to Dr. Jean Michel Mazer, dermatologist, specialized in lasers.