How can sweat glands be removed?
Excessive sweat production can be very stressful. Those affected are usually particularly uncomfortable with the unpleasant smell of sweat that develops, which in severe cases cannot be treated with deodorants. In some clinics, the surgical removal of the sweat glands is offered as a measure.
This operation is usually performed in the armpit area. The procedure can be performed under general or local anesthesia. Technically it is similar to the so-called liposuction.
By injecting saline solution, the tissue under the skin is prepared. The required device is then inserted through a small incision and the sweat glands including the surrounding tissue are suctioned or otherwise removed. Surgical removal of the sweat glands is only useful if the cause of the excessive sweat production is not another physical disease, such as hyperthyroidism.
In addition, surgery always poses a risk to the person affected. Therefore, all other possibilities to control the sweat production should be considered beforehand. Furthermore, most health insurance companies do not pay for the operation or only in exceptional cases.
Sclerotherapy of sweat glands is different from surgical removal. In sweat gland sclerotherapy, an attempt is made to damage the sweat glands by various procedures in such a way that they no longer produce sweat. However, in contrast to the removal of sweat glands, the glands remain in the body.
There are a number of options to choose from. In laser lipolysis, the tissue is damaged by a laser so that the sweat glands are inactivated. For this, however, a laser must be inserted into the body, making the procedure very similar to surgical removal of the sweat glands.
In sweat gland sclerotherapy with polidocanol, the active ingredient is injected into the areas to be sclerosed. This can also damage the tissue so much that sweat glands are inactivated. New procedures work with microwaves.
These are similar in their mode of operation to sclerotherapy with a laser. The tissue is specifically heated and the sweat glands are sclerosed. This procedure is still relatively new.
Sweat glands should only be sclerosed if a physical disease has been ruled out as a cause of excessive sweat production. In addition, the procedures can be relatively expensive and are often not covered by health insurance. Botox® is a nerve poison.
Its effect is based on preventing synaptic signal transmission. This prevents nerve cells from communicating with each other or with other cells. This can be useful in cases of excessive sweat production, as the sweat glands are also controlled by fine nerve endings.
If a small amount of Botox® is injected into an area with many sweat glands, these can no longer be controlled by the nervous system and sweat production comes to a standstill. This can happen in the armpit area but also on the hands or feet. The effect lasts up to one year, after which the nerve cells have regenerated.
As with all treatments against excessive sweat production, it is questionable whether health insurance companies will cover the costs. Physical illnesses as a cause for excessive sweat production should be excluded beforehand.
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