Hyperhidrosis or excessive sweating

What is hyperhidrosis?

Hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating, is a common disorder which produces a lot of discomfort. About 1-2 % of our population suffers from excessive sweating of the arm pits (axillary hyperhidrosis) or of the palms and soles of the feet (palmoplantar hyperhidrosis. Arm pit problems tend to start around puberty, while palm and sole sweating may begin earlier, often during childhood. Untreated, these problems may continue throughout life. The sweating involves both sides. Patients notice that they do not have sweating during sleep. Majority of patients have similarly affected family members.

No more stains in blouses, shirts or clothing?

Sweating is embarrassing, it stains clothes, and it complicates business and social interactions. Severe cases can have serious practical consequences as well, making it hard for people who suffer from it to hold a pen, grip a steering wheel, or shake hands. Patients shy away from personal or social relationships. Secondary bacterial infection can cause heavy body odors. Many patients have to change their dresses several times a day.

What is the Cause for Hyperhidrosis?

The exact cause is unknown, though the sweating is known to occur following overstimulation of the sweat glands by the autonomic nervous system. Most experts now believe that primary axillary hyperhidrosis is not due to stress or anxiety, but because of a familial (hereditary) tendency causing increased sensitivity of the sweat glands to the autonomic nervous system stimulation. Otherwise people suffering from hyperhidrosis are completely healthy.

What is the treatment for hyperhidrosis?

There are several ways to treat excessive sweating, but if the usual techniques don’t work you can regulate the sweating mechanism by inhibiting the stimulation by the autonomous nervous system. Your first choice would be Botox that inhibits directly the stimulation of the nerve endings towards the sweat glands, thus reducing the production of sweat to a minimum. The effect will last for about 9 à 12 months, depending on the individual sensitivity for the treatment. Treatment is not advisable if you suffer from metabolic disorders. More general information about Botox you will find here.

Compensation Health Insurance

Sometimes we receive the question whether the health insurer will reimburse this treatment.

To get an answer to that question you should approach your insurer or study their insurance conditions. Should a compensation for this treatment be included in their (special) conditions then the second thing you need to ask is whether you have free choice to where you can get a treatment or you have to visit a designated specialist or practice. In the latter case, the treatment by our practice will not be refunded and you visit us at your own expense.

At Rimpelconsult’s you will receive an invoice that you must pay yourself first and then can submit to your insurer. Pricing you will find here.