Excessive sweating, also known as hyperhidrosis, is debilitating to patients and socially embarrassing. It also makes it difficult to perform regular, day-to-day activities that are easily taken for granted, such as shaking someone’s hand, or writing on a piece of paper. In most cases, hyperhidrosis is limited to a few specific areas of the body, such as the armpits, hands, or feet. In more severe cases, multiple areas are simultaneously affected. The most common areas of complaint are the armpits.

Nerves are a component to the condition as people afflicted with hyperhidrosis do not sweat excessively when they are sleeping. For this reason, control of the condition is centered on procedures that effect the nerve impulses that creates the excretion of sweat from the the eccrine glands. Therapies include topical preparations, oral medicines, tap water iontophoresis, botulinum toxin injections (Botox). Surgery (transthoracic sympathectomy) is also an option in the most severe cases. Botox injections has revolutionized treatment, but unfortunately, is still not a covered benefit under most insurance plans.