Treating Hyperhidrosis with Botox Injections

Hyperhidrosis affects almost one million Canadians and causes individuals to sweat up to four times more the average person. New treatment options effectively treat excessive sweating.

Sherry Damatarca: Never heard of hyperhidrosis? You’re not alone. Hyperhidrosis or excessive sweating is a medical condition that can cause distress for many Canadians. Almost a million Canadians suffer from hyperhidrosis. But according to new research, more than half of them have never heard of it. Dr. Nowell Solish, Dermatologist and founder of the Sweat Clinics of Canada explains what it’s like to live with hyperhidrosis. Dr. Nowell Solish: Hyerphidrosis is a medical condition that causes people to sweat excessively typically up to four times more than an average individual. Not only is it annoying to the individuals that have but it really can have a traumatic impact on their self esteem and self confidence. One of the sad things is that a lot of people suffer in silence. They don’t realize that there are treatment options available for their excessive sweating. Sherry Damatarca: According to new Canadian research, 43% of women are self-conscious about their sweating. For Zoe Dredge, a young woman suffering from hyperhidrosis, it’s something she thinks about every single day. Zoe Dredge: I’m self-conscious about my sweating pretty much all the time. It’s something that’s always very conscious my mind. It affects my clothing choices which is at least one or twice a day, occurrence for nice people, so it is always in the forefront of my mind. Hugging people, I always make sure I give people an underarm hug because I don’t want to put my hands over them and cover them in my sweat. It’s so embarrassing. Sherry Damatarca: Zoe has decided to take control of her sweat problems. She’s meeting with Dr. Solish to discuss treatment options including botox injections. Dr. Nowell Solish: There are several options available for those who have excessive sweating anywhere from over the counter antiperspirants to surgery. For those who find antiperspirants ineffective, for those who don’t want surgery, botox injections are a very effective alternative. More 95% of my patients are happy with the results. It’s safe, easy and effective. The results can last anywhere from six to twelve months. The great thing about it is they can be sweat free and really get on with their lives. Sherry Damatarca: Zoe shares her experience two weeks after treatment. Zoe Dredge: Since the procedure, the changes have been remarkable. I feel enlightened. I’ve never lived a day since in my adult life where I haven’t had sweat. So it’s been a wonderful change. I definitely saw the effects of the procedure on my hyperhidrosis within three days. Previously, I would have felt self-conscious going out for a girl’s night. All of my girlfriends get to wear these beautiful dresses and bright colors and I never used to the hour. Now, I’m really excited with the prospect that I could go out and buy myself a beautifully colored dress and wear it out and be one of the girls. Different day to day situations that I would have avoided before, now they’re not a problem and it’s so unusual to me that when someone comes to give me a hug, I can actually hug them back and not have a problem with having to underarm hug. I can give them a full over arm hug and it’s really quite nice. Sherry Damatarca: For more information about hyperhidrosis treatment options and their safety or risk benefit profiles or to find a dermatologist in your area, visit SweatManagement.ca. Sherry Damatarca reporting.