While most people manage to find respite from the sweltering heat in the shade, 30-year-old Arvind Kumar (name changed) wouldn’t stop sweating even in his centrally air-conditioned office.
Diagnosed with a condition called hyperhidrosis or excessive sweating in certain parts of the body, like the underarms, face, palms and feet, when he was a teenager, Kumar had tried anti-perspirants, anti-anxiety medication and even iontophoresis, a technique using a small electric charge to deliver a medicine through the skin. But all in vain.
That’s when Kumar went for Botulinum toxin, which he claims has ‘magically’ reduced his problem. Cosmetic surgeons and dermatologists say Kumar is not the only person Botulinum toxin, acknowledged as the most poisonous toxic protein in the world, has brought relief to. “Every summer, the number of people asking for treatment for hyperhidrosis triples,” said
Dr Rashmi Shetty, a dermatologist who runs clinics at Santa Cruz and Breach Candy. Shetty, who has treated 15 people this summer, says they get the highest number of patients during summer and the wedding season.
“A small dose of Botulinum toxin is injected into the skin of the underarm of the patient,” said dermatologist Dr Apratim Goel, of Goel’s Cutis Skin Studio, Grant Road. The treatment costs Rs15,000-30,000 depending on the number of units of Botox used. Its effects last from four months to a year.
The dose prevents the release of a chemical called acetylcholine which carries signals from the sympathetic nervous system to the sweat glands in the underarm to stimulate sweat production.
According to Dr Goel, 70% of her patients are males working in the corporate sector.
“They are very conscious about sweat stains on their underarms,” she said. “Watchmakers, diamond businessmen, jewellers, software professionals, painters, etc, who suffer from the condition, require this treatment as otherwise it would hamper their work,” she added.
“If you are worried about the sweat stains when you lift your arms, have sweaty palms, which moisten your keyboard, and soak the paper on which you write, then you may be suffering from hyperhidrosis,” said Dr Kirti Rane, a dermatologist. He added, “Many a times, this hampers the confidence level of the patient, causing both psychological and physical problems leading to social isolation and emotional trauma.”
In Kumar’s case, his condition hampered his professional growth. “Being a software professional, excessive sweating on my palms and underarms affected me a lot. I could not shake hands with anybody. My shirt had sweat stains even in a fully air-conditioned office,” said Kumar, adding that he could see the effects of the treatment in a week’s time.
Earlier, the treatment for hyperhidrosis included a surgery known as ganglionectomy or a surgical procedure to cause denervation. “This, however, resulted in compensatory hyperhidrosis in other areas. For instance, a successful surgery on the underarms would prevent sweating in the underarms, but the body would compensate by causing excessive sweating in some other area, like the face, palms or feet,” said Dr Shetty. With Botox, however, a simple injection resolves the problem, she said.
Side effects of Botulinum toxin: According to experts, the side-effects of Botulinum toxin may vary according to injection site, dose, frequency of injections, and the expertise of the cosmetic surgeon. According to dermatologist Dr Sharon D’Mello, “Botox has no long-term side effects. Most side-effects are localiSed and temporary, such as pain and tenderness at the injection site.”
However, not everyone who suffers from hyperhydrosis is a candidate for botulinum toxin. “This has to be analysed by a qualified dermatologist, as hyperhidrosis is sometimes caused by thyroid conditions as well, which cannot be treated with the injection,” she added.
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