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You may recall that we have blog on Hyperhidrosis, (see our blogs called “Don’t Sweat It! “and “Why Do I Sweat So Much?”), saying that is it a condition whereby the person perspires or sweats excessively. Dermatological researchers may have come up with a solution for those of you suffering from this.
Ultrasound treatment can reduce excessive sweating in the underarms by nearly 80%, according to a new study. Researchers used a ”microfocused” ultrasound to target the sweat glands in both men and women, covering a range of ages. All had hyperhidrosis, a condition where a person sweats much more than the body needs to cool itself. the ultrasound works, by heating and destroying the sweat glands under the arm. The sweating can occur even when the temperature is cool and the person is at rest. The armpits, palms, and soles are often affected.
About 3% of people suffer from this excessive sweating. Doctors diagnose it by tests such as the starch-iodine test. In this test, iodine solution is applied to the areas with sweat. When it dries, starch is sprinkled on the area. If there is excess sweat, the combination turns purplish.
two ultrasound treatments was given to the men and women, 28 days apart. He treated one arm, but gave the other arm a “placebo” treatment. He evaluated their sweat production after both. Standard measures were used to assess sweat production, including the starch iodine test. Two months after the second treatment, researchers found nearly an 80% average reduction in sweat. Some in the study reported temporary tenderness, redness, numbness, and bruising.
The technique takes about 20 minutes per armpit, and there are plans to look at treatment for palm sweating. As this is in the research stage, the costs involved have not yet been determined, but as with everything, it may be more pricey to start with.
