What is Hyperhidrosis?

Hyperhydrosis is the medical term for excessive sweating. This condition affects millions of people worldwide. While precise figures are not available, it is estimated at 2.8% of the US population is affected by hyperhydrosis.

Without proper treatment, hyperhydrosis can have a great impact on the quality of life.  Sweating underarms can give the wrong impression in business and in social situations.  For example, it may seem that the person with hyperhydrosis is nervous or ill, when this is not the case.

In most cases, the cause of hyperhydrosis is unknown.  This is known as primary hyperhydrosis.

Hyperhydrosis can also be caused by an underlying condition (e.g. endocrine disorders, menopause, obesity, nerve damage), and by some drugs although this is very uncommon. This is known as secondary hyperhydrosis.

When sweating occurs in certain places only, it is known as focal hyperhydrosis.  Dr. Murphy treats underarm (axillary) hyperhydrosis.

Hyperhydrosis can be treated!

Dr. Murphy treats hyperhydrosis with Botox®. This treatment is approved in Canada for patients with axillary hyperhydrosis (underarms).  It is recognized as a medical condition and therefore is covered by most insurance companies.  Check with your insurance carrier. 

Treatment consists of a series of tiny injections of Botox® in the armpits. These injections block the neurochemical activity of the nerves, which cause the excessive sweating.  Blocking these nerve impulses reduces sweating.  In one study, it was shown that sweat production was decreased after 1 week.

The procedure takes about 15 minutes

Cost:  This is a medical condition recognized by most drug plans.  The fee for the Botox should be covered by your medical plan.  Should your medical plan cover the cost, your fee would only be the physician’s fee. Call our office for more details.  Please check with your insurance company to see if they cover the treatment of Hyperhydrosis. 

What is the Cost of Hyperhydrosis Treatment?

This is a medical condition recognized by most drug plans. 

The fee for the Botox should be covered by your medical plan.    Allergan has a patient reimbursement plan should your insurance company not cover your first treatment Allergan will.   The Physician’s fee is always the responsibility of the patient.  Call our office for more details.  If your carrier is Green Shield,  Allergan will not honor the reimbursement plan as Green Shield Insurance Company does not recognize Hyperhydrosis as a medical condition.  Please check with your insurance carrier to see if they recognize Hyperhydrosis as a medical condition…they must, in order for you to be considered by Allergan to be part of their 1st treatment coverage program. 

Have a "no-sweat" Wedding - Treatment Options to Plan Ahead

By Kevin C. Smith MD FACP FRCPC

On Saturday I got an email from a mother-of-the-bride who had been troubled for many years and wanted BOTOX® treatment to control this problem - in time for her daughter's wedding NEXT Saturday. She will come in for treatment at 9AM on Monday, and I expect that her sweating will have settled down completely in time for the wedding.

If she had planned ahead, this mother-of-the-bride could have had BOTOX® treatment a month or two ago, and then she would have enjoyed the benefits of throughout the parties and other events leading up to the wedding. The benefits of treatment usually start within a few days, and usually last for 6-12 months. Many drug plans cover BOTOX® treatment for medical conditions like excess sweating and migraine headaches, and any portion which is not covered by the drug plan is a tax-deductible medical expense.

BOTOX® can be used to reduce sweating on any part of the body. The most commonly treated areas include the armpits, and the palms and soles.

Just as one plans ahead for wardrobe and hairstyles when considering a wedding, graduation or other event, it is wise to plan ahead for aesthetic treatments like BOTOX® for frown lines and crows feet, Filler for creases and deep lines on the face, intense pulsed light (IPL) and laser treatment for redness and sun damage, and laser hair removal.

In general it is best to arrange your schedule and your budget so that the work you want done will be completed about a month before the big event. This will allow you to enjoy the benefits of treatment during the weeks leading up to the big event, and ensure that your appearance will be as good as possible on the big day.