Excessive sweating, also known as hyperhidrosis, can be a bothersome condition that affects various parts of the body, including the underarms, palms, feet, and face. At Brisbane Skin we can determine the most appropriate treatment plan based on the severity and underlying cause of excessive sweating through a thorough medical consultation.. A registered health professional will assess contributing factors and outline suitable management options. Individual suitability and outcomes vary.
Common Excess Sweating Solutions
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Antiperspirants (including high-strength options): Often a first-line approach for underarm sweating.
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Iontophoresis: One of the options commonly used for sweating of the palms and soles. Minerals are passed through the skin by an electrical current in an iontophoresis machine, which can reduce sweat gland activity. Treatment frequency is typically higher at the start and tapers to maintenance.
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Prescription-only options (discussed in consultation): In some cases, a clinician may recommend prescription therapies to help reduce sweating in targeted areas. We can’t advertise these medicines by name. A consultation is required to assess risks, benefits and suitability.
- miraDry: Miradry is a non-invasive treatment specifically designed to address excessive underarm sweating, also known as axillary hyperhidrosis. It utilises microwave technology to target and eliminate sweat glands in the underarm area. (Please note MiraDry is not currently available in clinic.)
Treatments & Medicare Rebates
Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition that can impact quality of life. Some services may attract Medicare rebates when a specialist determines they are clinically indicated. Eligibility depends on your individual circumstances and Medicare rules at the time of service.
Your clinician may recommend trying aluminium chloride hexahydrate antiperspirants before considering other options. We’ll discuss the pathway most appropriate for you during your consultation.
Permanent Sweat Reduction with miraDry
During the Miradry procedure, electromagnetic energy is delivered to the sweat glands, heating and eliminating them. The treatment is performed at Brisbane Skin and does not require anesthesia. Most patients experience a significant reduction in underarm sweating after just one or two sessions.
Miradry is considered a long-lasting solution for axillary hyperhidrosis, as the destroyed sweat glands do not regenerate. Additionally, the treatment can also reduce underarm odor and hair in the treated area.
Miradry is a specialised treatment for excessive underarm sweating, utilising microwave technology to eliminate sweat glands, and it is a non-invasive alternative to surgical procedures like endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS).
About Excessive Sweating (Hyperhidrosis)
What is hyperhidrosis?
Hyperhidrosis is the medical terminology for excessive and uncontrollable sweating, affecting over 110,000 patients in Australia.
The inability to control perspiration, is a problem that often starts during teenage years, it can lead to tremendous self-consciousness, loss of self-esteem and reluctance to participate in everyday activities.
Sweating is a natural, normal and important bodily function that helps keep your body cool and free of toxins. For a minority of people, though, excessive sweating can lead to social awkwardness and embarrassment.
In Australia, where so many of us enjoy an active lifestyle, this can be a real problem.
“3% of the world’s population is affected and the consequences can be disabling” – Medical News Today
The basics of hyperhidrosis
It is normal to sweat excessively if the temperature is elevated, you have been performing a strenuous activity, or if you have a fever.
Excessive sweating that may require treatment, on the other hand, is defined as:
“Sweating an amount out of proportion with the temperature of a room or your activity level” – Mayo Clinic
There are two kinds of hyperhidrosis – focal hyperhidrosis and generalised hyperhidrosis.
In focal hyperhidrosis, excess sweating is confined to a single area of the body with a relatively high concentration of sweat glands, including:
- Underarms
- Face
- Palms
- Soles
- Groin
In generalised hyperhidrosis, excessive sweating is experienced over the entire body.
The first step towards banishing excess sweat
The good news is that the majority of patients who suffer from excessive sweating respond well when their hyperhidrosis is treated. The first step towards ensuring that success is a consultation at our clinic.
One of our doctors who will take your medical history, examine you and discuss the specifics of your problem perspiration. Based on this, your dermatologist will prescribe the best solution for you.
Another topic that will be covered during a preliminary consultation for hyperhidrosis treatments at Brisbane Skin will be your expectations. A realistic perspective about what this treatment can accomplish for your problem perspiration is a major factor in a successful outcome.
Advanced Treatments for Excessive Sweating
Advanced solutions for excessive sweating explained in greater detail!
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Prescription-only options (discussed in consultation): A clinician may recommend prescription therapies that act on sweat production in specific areas. As these are Schedule 4 medicines, we can’t advertise product names or provide promotional claims. Suitability, potential side effects and treatment intervals will be discussed during your consultation.
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miraDry permanent sweat reduction: Our patients have been thrilled with the results offered by this non-invasive new treatment protocol with long-lasting benefits that rival any other treatment. There is no downtime associated with the treatment, and results are usually permanent. It is currently used for treating excessive sweating in the armpits. Tests are still being conducted to determine whether it is appropriate for other parts of the body.