Hyperhidrosis is where there is excessive sweating usually in normal body temperature conditions. It can affect the whole body or just certain areas.

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It is normal to sweat as this is how the body regulates its temperature. Excessive sweating can occur due to a medical condition, as a side effect of certain medications that are taken, or for no known reason at all.

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If your hyperhidrosis is from no known cause then you may be a candidate for toxin.  Toxin is very successful to improve underarm sweating with results lasting, in some people up to 9 months.  The standard duration is usually 3-4 months.  Even if you have some underlying conditions and if your GP has titrated any medicines you need to take and you still have excessive sweating, toxin maybe what you are looking for.

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Things you can do to help with excessive sweating:

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• wear loose-fitting clothes to minimise signs of sweating

• wear socks that absorb moisture and change your socks at least twice a day if possible

• wear leather shoes and try to wear different shoes day to day

• do not wear tight clothes or man-made fabrics – for example, nylon

• do not wear enclosed boots or sports shoes that may cause your feet to sweat more

• do not do things that might make your sweating worse – for example, drinking alcohol or eating spicy food

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You can also see a pharmacist about excessive sweating. There are things they can give you over the counter, such as:

• stronger antiperspirants instead of deodorant

• armpit or sweat shields to protect your clothing

• foot powders for sweaty feet

• soap substitutes that are more gentle on your skin

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See a GP if you're sweating and things you can do yourself aren't helping, for example:

• it's lasted for at least 6 months

• it stops you from getting on with your daily activities

• it happens at least once a week

• it happens at night (you're having night sweats)

• you have a family history of excessive sweating

• you're taking medication for another condition

Your GP may refer you for tests if they think another condition may be causing your sweating.

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Treating severe excessive sweating:

If there's no obvious cause for your sweating, and nothing seems to be helping, then you may be referred to a specialist (dermatologist).

They may recommend other treatments that you can try, such as:

• taking tablets that reduce sweating

• treating the areas with a weak electric current passed through water or on a wet pad (iontophoresis)

• having botox injections for sweating under the armpits (this may not be available on the NHS)

• surgery – for example, removal of the sweat glands

Visit Hyperhidrosis UK for more information on available treatments.

If your sweating is caused by another condition, any treatment you may need will depend on what's causing it.

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If you decide toxin injections are the way forward for you, then book in via our online booking system.  You will need to have your underarms shaved the day before your appointment otherwise it will not be possible to administer the injections.

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A tiny droplet injection of toxin is injected to the under arm where sweating is pronounced. These tiny injections are spaced out to allow the toxin to spread.  After 7-14 days, often a lot sooner, you will notice a significant reduction in the frequency and severity of your sweating.

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Toxin is used "Off Label" for hyperhidrosis which means the drug company do not have or have not applied for  a licence for its use in this manner.  Many medications are used off label both in private practice and within the NHS.

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There are rarely any serious side effects to this treatment other than some of the commonly known toxin effects of possible flu like illness for a few days.