VerySweatyBetty.com

If the trials all go well we could be seeing a new topical agent coming to us sufferers soon.

Want to thank my dearest friend for keeping us in the loop of new things for Hyperhidosis, your a gem

NEW ANTIPERSPIRANT HYDROGEL WITH ACETYLCHOLINE BLOCKING
MECHANISM: FIRST CLINICAL REPORT
INTRODUCTION AND DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW ANTIPERSPIRANT GEL

A new antiperspirant hydrogel has been projected and discovered based on an innovative
mechanism of action consisting on acetylcholine release partial blocking. This biochemical
mechanism is the main involved in eccrine sweat glands secretion and is the main issue to solve in
the patients suffering of hyperhidrosis. Generally patients suffering of moderate to severe grade
hyperhidrosis undergo to botulinum toxin sessions properly to block acetylcholine release and so
reduce sweating for several months and furthermore apply day by day very high percentage of
Aluminum chloride topical products to reduce excessive sweating. Botulinum Toxin is very
effective because blocks specifically proteins which induce acetylcholine release and so reduce
dramatically eccrine glands secretion; unfortunately injection of botulinum toxin is a strict specialist
medical practice and is not free from side effects, contraindications, allergic events and so on. Not
all the patients could be enrolled to apply botulinum toxin and many times these patients, impatient
to solve their embarrassing condition, provide to buy this drug from not legal channels and accept
to be treated from not specialized and skilled people. Furthermore, in the cosmetic landscape,
there’s only aluminum chloride products capable to produce acceptable results, but they are not free
from side effects as adenitis and skin irritations if applied every day.
This new cosmetic approach to hyperhidrosis has the main purpose to give an important opportunity
to all the patients suffering of hyperhidrosis allowing them to treat this condition with the same
mechanism of action of botulinum toxin, but without inject anything and simply applying a pleasant
and light hydrogel in the axilla, face, hands and forehead.
This gel contains an association of natural substances capable to reduce acetylcholine release in the
proximity of eccrine glands reducing contextually their secretion, exactly as botulinum toxin, but in
a very natural and not invasive way.
PRELIMINARY CLINICAL REPORT
20 patients suffering of moderate to severe grade hyperhydrosis have been tested under the
supervision of specialized dermatologists in the San Gallicano Hospital Dermatology Department in
Rome.
These patients began application of this new gel (SNARE BLOCK), after two weeks from the
interruption of application of any other product for hyperhidrosis (aluminum chloride, long lasting
antiperspirant products etc.): they only applied short lasting deodorants and a common hygiene
protocol.
These patients were educated to apply SNARE BLOCK two times a day (morning and night) in the
affected area taking care to induce a complete absorption of the gel in the skin area involved with a
light massage. No other products for hyperhydrosis were applied with the exception of common
deodorants with no antiperspirant molecules inside.
These patients came back to the clinic once a week to compile a clinical report under supervision of
a dermatologist in charge to carry out the clinical evaluation.
The parameters considered were:
- Grade of subjective satisfaction;
- Grade of pleasantness of application;
- Indication of “sweat reduction grade” in a graduated scale;
- Fast working effect grade;
- Objective clinical examination;
At the end of the 4 weeks, 18 patients declared to be:
- quite satisfied to highly satisfied of the efficacy of the product indicating a grade of “sweat
reduction” ranging from 6 to 8 in a graduated scale ranging from 0 for no effects to 10 for complete
satisfaction. 1 patient interrupted after only 2 weeks declaring that the product didn’t work and
another one interrupted after 3 weeks with no explanations;
- in a scale ranging from 0 to 10 for the “sweat reduction” parameter grade 2 patients reported a
score of 8 (high grade of reduction), 13 patients reported a score of 7 (moderate-high grade of
reduction); 3 patients reported a score of 4-5 (moderate grade of reduction);
- 16 patients declared to be satisfied in terms of pleasantness in a scale reporting these parameters: 2
patients not satisfied (bad sensorial effect in the skin), 7 patients moderately satisfied (acceptable
sensorial effect, but not very nice), 9 very satisfied (very good skin effect and nice to apply);
- 18 patients declared a quite slow working effect onset: 7 patients declared to feel first working
effect in sweating only after 15 days from the first application and the best effect after 18-20 days.

Please join us in our friendly forum on more about this new and exciting product, feel free to leave your questions and comments.  

I want to personally thank a new member for allowing us to post her story.  She knows how important this is for us all in raising awareness on this awful skin disease, that brings us all misery every day of our lives. 

This is a very moving story of inspiration, bravery and courage. 
We want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts….

Anne and Beverly xxx

If you want to join in our cause on, “Raising Awareness” Join the cause, we have a section in the forum for this HAC, Hyperhidrosis Awareness Campaign, good things are happening. 

I always say lots of little voices can make one big one.  If you want to join our cause then please send your story to our very own Beverly at betty@verysweatybetty.com   She will be glad to post it on our front page and if requested all will be confidential.  Thanks for helping us here at Very Sweaty Betty, your friendly sweaty support group.

Vicki’s story,

I decided to split the blog from the testimonials to make everything easier to find.

Hydrosal website
Hydrosal customer testimonials
Forum link blog
Forum link testimonials

“Hi, I’m from Australia and I would like to say, I would pay whatever dollar to fix up my sweaty arm pit problem, and then I came across Hydrosal!. I just would like to say there is no other product that works as good as this. and I have tried every single product out there and this is by far the best! I will keep using this product until I stop having this problem. Thanks, Jason ”

Jason
“I would like to bring to your attention, that I have tried the product that my doctor has recommended Hydrosal. For the pass thirty years I suffered in complete embarrassment, severe sweating from the forehead, and other body areas.
This sweating was triggered by nervousness on my confrontation of an individual that I met, or dealt with on first time basis.
The more I realized I was sweating, the more severe it became. It was devastating for me, and I spoke to many doctors with really no feed back from them. Meeting Dr Benohanian was for me a miracle; Life has given me a second chance. Hydrosal is amazing and very easy to apply with almost 90 to 95 % effective rate for me. Keep up the good work and create more beneficial products like Hydrosal!! Thanks again. ”

Allan
“Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! I have suffered from excessive sweating as long as I can remember…..the last 10 years specifically, have been the worst. I was ready to have surgery to have my sweat glands removed in my arm pits as nothing seemed to work. My doctor called me 2 weeks ago to tell me about an article that she read in the paper about Hydrosal Professional. After the first 2 days it started to sting a little when I applied the gel, but I got over that fast when I realized that it was working. I just finished my 7 days and have not sweat at all in 5 days. I am absolutely thrilled and hope that others will try this too. I realize that sweating is an embarrassing issue and I myself didn’t talk about it much with other people, but it’s kind of obvious when you can see it through your clothing. Since I no longer have this problem I have been telling my friends and family about it because I know how difficult dealing with this issue is and how much it affects your life. I am surprised to hear how many other people have excessive sweating also. Thanks again and I will continue to spread knowledge about this great product! ”

Jennifer
“Before Hydrosal I would always have to worry about sweat stains in the shirts I used to wear. Now after using Hydrosal I can wear any color I want in any fabric. Hydrosal worked fast too; after 2 days I could already see the results – no more sweat stains. I highly recommend Hydrosal to anybody who has had it with those extremely embarrassing sweat stains and doesn’t want to worry about them anymore! ”

Julia
“My story began in high school. Whenever I had a big exam or had to do a presentation in class, I would start to perspire. I tried many different deodorants, changing deodorants almost every other day. I wore dark clothing, trying to mask my condition. I started purchasing only cotton garments as well in an attempt to hide the perspiration. When the condition was at its worst, I would place many tissues or a small towel under my shirt to contain the perspiration. I would have to change clothing once I arrived at an event due to the excessive perspiration. Ten years later, a friend of mine saw an Oprah show on “Hyperhydrosis” and how this was a known medical condition. From her information, I did some research online and found a doctor in Montreal that specialized in the treatment of Hyperhydrosis. The doctor prescribed “Hydrosal”. I put some on everyday for seven days before bed, and it worked! After that, I only need to apply the gel once a week and it continues to work. I’ve been using the gel for two months now. “Hydrosal” does not have any odor, has not caused any discomfort, and has removed my worries about public embarrassment. Thank you for helping me get over my embarrassing condition. ”

Sophia
“I am delighted to see that after 34 years of experience as a dermatologist, Valeo Pharma is bringing Hydrosal Professional to America. I have had the rare opportunity of treating over 7000 patients suffering from excessive sweating; the affected sites were the underarms, hands, feet,face and groins. Some of them were unquestionably candidates for surgery. Hydrosal, a new first line treatment for excessive sweating, consists of aluminum chloride hexahydrate in a proprietary gel base.Studies have demonstrated that a gel vehicle is better tolerated than an alcohol solution and that may be the reason why such preparations have improved efficacy and are better tolerated. I highly recommend this product as a first line treatment before considering Iontophoresis, Botox® injections or surgery. ”

Antranik Benohanian MD, FRCPC, FAAD

Dr. Benohanian is a Dermatologist at the Montreal University Hospital Center (Saint-Luc Hospital)
“I’ve had plantar hyperhidrosis since childhood, but figured I’d have to suffer through it. This winter my sweaty feet got so wet and cold that I got 2nd degree frostbite on two toes, so I became desperate to find something to help. I found Hydrosal Gel while researching iontophoresis online. I was skeptical but am thrilled with the results! Noticeable difference after two nights and I haven’t had to re-apply for two weeks now (plus, I’m in Hawaii where it’s much warmer than Calgary). My feet are sweat-free but the skin is not dehydrated or itchy. I’m so glad to have found this terrific product! Will also add that the service from Well.ca was great, along with the best price plus free-shipping. Thank you!! ”

well.ca customer
“It’s awesome – if you take any prescription medication and the side effect is that you are sweating buckets… well, this is a true life saver. Also a great thing to put on if you want to go out all night dancing as you will not sweat. I am sure the company can improve in the area of how often to apply. Apart from that, if you don’t take medication and just have hyperhydrosis, you would have to use it a lot less after the first week. ”

well.ca customer
“This stuff really works! I’ve had excessive sweating for years and had pretty much given up on finding a solution.

I tried Hydrosal gel and after a few days the sweating was gone. Now I only use it a few nights a week. Let’s say I stop using it for a few days. All I have to do is start using it again and by the 2nd night the sweating has stopped again. ”

well.ca customer
“I read on the net about this product and thought I would give it a go. I have a little bit of a face perspire issue in tight places like bars where people may be elbow to elbow, or job interviews with stress. I bought it, LOVE it! I use it only when needed before a situation and its all win. HIGHLY recommended and supplier is good also. ”

well.ca customer
“ I have never used any product that works as well as Hydrosal Gel. ”

well.ca customer
“ This stuff is a life saver! ”

well.ca customer

Hydrosal website
Hydrosal customer testimonials
Forum link blog
Forum link testimonials

I’ve recently been trying Hydrosal Antiperspirant. It’s a clear, colorless, odorless, topical gel that you apply (sparingly) to your underarm area. Hydrosal is great for treating hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating). It’s a unique formulation developed by dermatologists, Hydrosal Gel contains the highly effective ingredient aluminum chloride hexahydrate delivered in a simple gel base. It’s simple to use. Wash and thoroughly dry the area to be treated, apply Hydrosal every night for seven nights at bed time, then continue as needed or as directed by a healthcare professional.

Hydrosal Gel is specially formulated for people who suffer with hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating). The gel contains 15% aluminum chloride hexahydrate, a concentration proven to be more effective than other aluminum salts typically used in regular antiperspirants. The gel base means that Hydrosal has a low risk of irritation. Studies have shown the gel formulation is better tolerated than an alcohol solution found in many other products available for treating excessive sweating. In addition to reducing perspiration, Hydrosal Gel also helps to reduce underarm odor.

How To Use Hydrosal Gel
It is recommended that you wash and dry the area to be treated prior to application. A hair dryer set on “cool” could be used if necessary. A small quantity should be applied for seven consecutive nights at bedtime, then continued as needed. If you have sensitive skin, two to three treatments per week at bedtime are initially recommended. For minor irritations, a hydrocortisone cream could be applied an hour before the application of the gel and 15 minutes later if needed. If irritation persists, stop the medication and contact your doctor. Hydrosal Gel should not be applied to irritated, freshly shaved, or broken skin.

Side Effects
Hydrosal Gel is generally well tolerated by most people. However, along with most products, it does have the ability to irritate skin. If irritation persists, stop using Hydrosal Gel and contact your doctor.

The first time I tried Hydrosal was a bit hit and miss. Learning to use any new product and getting to know how to get the best out of it can take a while. The first night I used it, I went overboard on the amount I used. I had enough for four underarms but since I couldn’t get it back into the bottle, I slathered it on. Not surprisingly, the next morning my armpits were burning. I’d been trialling another product that had burned my skin so I decided to leave Hydrosal for a few weeks. Once my skin had healed, I used less of the gel. The next morning, my skin was still itchy so I left it another couple of weeks before trying again. Having done some research on products in general, I decided to use it within the hairline only, and sparingly at that. Tip: if you can’t get your skin bone dry prior to using a product, use a hairdryer on cool setting or dust lightly with some talc. This helped a great deal because my skin was slightly damp when I applied it. That was possibly one of the reasons my delicate skin became sore and itchy. Anyway. My trial eventually worked! I had to experiment with where to place the gel, if I used it outside of the ‘hair line’, or used too much, or used after shaving, it set me back a few days. Now I’ve fine tuned it, I’m very happy with the results! The bottle lasts for ages too.

Hydrosal was recently featured in a journal article published in the July 2011 issue of Cutis by Dr. Woolery-Lloyd and Dr. Valins from the University of Miami Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery. The article highlights Hydrosal’s efficacy as cotherapy with Botox for people who obtain a suboptimal response from treatment with Botox alone. The patients included suffered from moderate to severe hyperhidrosis, on the HDSS scale a 3 or 4. All participants reached 75-100% response rate with cotherapy and no irritation was observed.

I know Botox injections can be quite painful, and this cotherapy allows for minimizing breakthrough sweating and extending the duration of treatment, both fabulous for the patient health and wallet!

Forum link

A while back there was a tv series in the UK – ‘The Ugly Face of Beauty’ on Channel 4 – it’s focus is botched cosmetic surgery and it’s mind-boggling the amount of people who see surgery as the easy option. The most recent episode featured a 20 year old female model with a normal, healthy body. A group of teenagers were asked what work she needs doing to her body to make it ‘perfect’. The result resembled a shopping list for Tesco and had a price tag of £50,000. The work would take a few years to complete in stages and included at least six major operations – not including a list of tweaks such as liposuction which would be classed as a minor operation. In reality, there was absolutely nothing wrong with the model’s figure in the first place.

A growing number of people (including, most worryingly, children) see surgery as a completely normal and acceptable way of getting a perfect figure. In the UK (England, to be exact) there is an infamous woman called Sarah Burge. She has had ‘work’ done to just about every part of her body, some places have been under the knife many, many times. She claims to have spent $1,000,000 – one million US dollars – £528,500. The sad part of this whole thing is that it’s affecting her little girl. Sarah confessed to giving Poppy a birthday gift of plastic surgery vouchers for use when she’s 18. The vouchers are for a boob job. Poppy is 7 years old, and she’s her mother’s daughter in every sense of the meaning. She’s a glamour-girl and at the moment, she doesn’t see a problem with this. I do hope her mum gets some help for what I feel is either an addiction or Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD). She was a beautiful woman but she’s now going way overboard in my opinion, she really does look as though she’s had a lot of ‘work’ done – it’s becoming unnatural looking. I’m really not judging but as she has all of this information on her website (therefore inviting people to discuss or comment) I will say that if she reads this (I seriously doubt she will!) that I know she feels she ‘has’ to do this to herself but if I was potentially harming my child by what I was doing to myself, I think I’d want someone to stand up to me and make me realise that there might just be an issue that needs sorting out. Sarah is an extremely clever woman, highly intelligent, I just wish she’d explore the possibility of having BDD or an addiction before her daughter develops similar self-damaging tendencies. I am 99% certain she won’t though. I’m really not judging Sarah in any way, I just wanted to make that clear. We are all free to live our own lives the way we want and that’s exactly the way it should be.

Sarah Burge
£528,500.00 = 1 Million Dollars
List of surgical procedures and breakdown costs

Face
Whole face lasered to remove layer of skin to give a youthful look x 4 every 5 years £32000
Gortex filler threaded into frown lines around nose and mouth to remove lines £5000
Dermabrasion to whole face every 5 years – a procedure where skin is sanded to remove the top layer, makes the face look younger £20,000
Facelift a half inch cut was made in front of each ear, the skin over the face pulled tight then sown back to the front of the ear £6500
Another facelift as one side looked lop-sided, so a similar nip-tuck was carried out £6500
Another facelift plus upper eyes 4 years later £13,500
More gortex filler threaded through facial lines following face lift as they have now moved £5000
Endoscopic brow lift £12,000
Fat transfer to hands, cheeks, lips, chin, hollow of eyes £6000

CHEEKS
A solid silicone implant was fed into each cheek through the mouth to avoid scars on the face £7000

CHIN
Lipo to chin and neck. Fat was sucked out through a catheter-type tube £4000
A silicone implant was again fed through the mouth £6500
Replacement implant to resume asymmetry following facelifts £7,500

JAW
Lipo to jaw bi-yearly for the last 20 years £30,000

LIPS
Upper lip and surrounding areas dermabraded by yearly for last 20 years to ward of lines £35,000

TEETH
Laser treatment x 4 every 5 years £18,000

EYES
Upper eye lift. Excess skin was cut out from the lid and folds stitched together £5500
Lower eye area lased to get rid of wrinkles £4000
Lower eyes lased again £4000

NOSE
Nose job after it was broken in an accident £5000
Second op to correct the first one £8500

EARS
Pinned back as they were sticking out £7000

BREASTS
Reduction from a 32H or there abouts to -32DD/E Nipples were removed sewn on again and flesh folded and lipo to each side £12000
Uplift £6500
Another uplift plus injectable implants £8000

STOMACH
Lipo to remove excess skin that could not be shifted in the gym £4500
Tummy Tuck £7,500
More Lipo to stomach following tummy tuck as it wasn’t flat enough £3000

HIPS
Lipo to hips and thighs £4500

BUM
Buttock implants £6,500
Replacement buttock implants as one shifted and developed fluid £4000
Lipo to buttock, hips and thighs area for added smoothness £3,500

MEDICAL PROCEDURES all which I do myself
Fornightly Skin peels, monthly dermabrading, monthly injectable fillers, botox bi-monthly, botox underarms yearly, Botox to feet, cosmetic tattooing 6 monthly, monthly teeth bleeching £22,000 a year – £220,000 for the last 10 years

Hair Extensions
£4,000 a year
£72,000 for the last 18 years

TOTAL
£528,500.00 excluding hair

My view on surgery is that it’s there to save lives when there’s no other option. The amount of people who have had their lives ruined by elective surgery is no laughing matter and I can’t see it improving, not now it’s such huge business. On the tv programme, people were being duped into signing up for all sorts of surgery – obviously they were told afterwards it was an exercise to show how people are being targeted for real – often by salespeople who have no real knowledge of surgical procedures and are just doing their job, same as everyone else. This will be happening somewhere near you.

Not all cosmetic surgery is ‘bad’. There have been many people who have been given their life back after horrific accidents, illness or birth defect. I don’t believe this is even remotely in the ‘unnecessary’ category though.

Any surgery will take it’s toll on the body, not just at the time or for a while afterwards but for the rest of your life. There’s no such thing as safe surgery, everything you put your body through will take something out of you in the future. I have had a lot of surgery for health reasons (all as a last resort) and now, at the age of 44, my body is exhausted as a direct result of all it’s been put through. I have developed Fibromyalgia which is now known to take hold when your body has been through a lot of stress. I also have Polymyalgia which struck as a possible result of my body being weakened by Fibromyalgia. I have a theory that my Hyperhidrosis has become so severe because of my body’s weaknesses. I have experienced serious health problems and illnesses, and although I could technically speaking go to town on my bingo wings, ageing jowl, squidgy bottom, thighs and tummy, on balance, I think I’d rather live with them than the possible consequences.

In life, I believe there is always a trade off with everything you do, even if you don’t know what it is. Whilst our bodies are only here through sheer miracle, and to a degree they’re self-healing, they’re more vulnerable than we give them credit for. For such a long time, doctors have seen the human body as a sum of parts which they patch up the best they can when something goes wrong. We’re now returning to the wholistic way of thinking – the body is a sum of parts which all work together to their maximum efficiency. When you mess with one part of it, the domino effect has likely silently begun. It’s a lifelong game of Russian Roulette and for the sake of aesthetics, it’s far too high a price to pay both emotionally and physically. Learning to live with what nature has given you and to be happy regardless is so much healthier in the long run.

Becoming Comfortable Enough to Talk About My Hyperhidrosis
By Maria Thomas Mickiewicz

FORUM LINK

Validation was the catalyst for me to start being more open with people about my condition. While my closest friends and family members already know about it, to be able to share my life with others on a larger scale like this occurred after I attended a medical event on hyperhidrosis back in April and received my Botox treatment. Like I mentioned, that entire day was complete validation for me. I didn’t feel any shame about my sweating, nor was I embarrassed or uncomfortable about standing there doing exactly what I was supposed to be doing: dripping. (I’ve since thought about referring to this as my super power. Look at me! I can make my own rain drops!) For the first time in my life, I felt like I had met my tribe. It was pure, unadulterated validation on the part of the all my fellow Hyperhidrosis sufferers and the physicians who administered the Botox. I conquered my fear of the needle injections, spoke openly with another attendee about how Hyperhidrosis affected me, and was allowed to bask in my personal sweating glory for the entire day. I was actually flattered when the physician who treated me said I definitely had THE BEST case of palmar hyperhidrosis he’d seen all day. In that room, with those people, one day my soul just opened up.

It’s hard to put into words exactly how I felt as I left that day. I felt like I could conquer the world, like there was hope for me, like I could finally stop living behind a curtain of daily activities avoided or somehow altered in an attempt to mask my sweating. I dared to believe that something inside me was superior to circumstance. Maya Angelou says, “Beauty and strength can be found in adversity.” But in order to find it, you must go through it. Yes, grace can be found amidst the pain and suffering, amidst the physical manifestation of the sweat and the emotional turmoil we experience because we were made to be a little more wet than most. Maya Angelou also says, “We are more alike than we are unalike.” I think as a sweater, I am better able to relate to people and be more conscientious of how I treat them and what I might say to them. In a strange way, this sweating problem I have makes me more of who I was created to be. For the most part, yes, it’s physically, mentally, emotionally, socially, and professionally debilitating, but it is who I am. Everyone has a story, and this is mine. Because I am who I am, I feel that I can better understand others and relate to adversities they might be experiencing and bridge the gap to validate them and their experiences. Everyone has situations in which they might feel debilitated in the ways I’ve mentioned above. As much as I hate having HH, I also wonder what I’d be like without it. And don’t get me wrong. I am still actively pursuing different treatments to treat my condition, but it is not the be-all and end-all for me if nothing ends up working.

As a result of my experience at the Hyperhidrosis event, I have launched this blog to raise awareness and now several writing opportunities have come my way. I am moving forward and embracing them even if they might take me out of my comfort zone. And people with HH definitely have a comfort zone in place! I’m doing some freelance writing for my church as well as an organization called Time Out for Women, I’ve been selected to be a book reviewer and will have my own book blog on Book Trib, and I have the absolute honor of writing an article and guest blogs for various Hyperhidrosis websites and newsletters, all on a voluntary basis. I have aligned myself with my intention, and that is authentic power.

If you have Hyperhidrosis, or know someone who does, embrace it. Yes, it affects our lives in ways we don’t like, but if we can live freely with it and realize there are treatment options and hope, we can create positive change. So be ready for a revolution. Your revolution.

1. From the book One Day My Soul Just Opened Up by Iyanla Vanzant

Maria Thomas Mickiewicz’s weblog is growing fast and well worth a visit. You can find it by clicking HERE

We think you’re an inspiration Maria, never mind Maya Angelou! She’s one of Anne’s and my favourite authors and her quotes are some of the wisest and most wonderful I’ve ever heard.

Everyone related to VSB are also volunteers, including myself and Anne and you’re so right, it does help you feel validation, as though you’re kicking the butt of this miserable disease and making other people feel happier through sharing your sweat and tears.

We thank you enormously for your fabulous guest blog and we would be honoured to host your work any time!

Beverly and Anne x

As you may or not be aware, ETS was banned in Sweden (it’s birthplace) some time ago. We were informed recently that ETS has also been banned in Pakistan. I’ve done some googling and whilst I can’t find a definitive answer, I came across this recently published article – I thought it might be well worth a read by everyone, not just those in Pakistan! I have to say though, it’s fantastic to have something relevant for our Pakistani HH friends for a change! I do hope it helps somebody.

FORUM LINK

Pharmacologyonline 1: 424427 (2011) Newsletter Irfan and Qadir424

Management of Hyperhidrosis

Saba Irfan and M. Imran Qadir* College of Pharmacy, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan
Correspondence: mrimranqadir@hotmail.com

Summary
In hyperhidrosis, there is too much and non&physiological production of sweat by our body. Hyperhidrosis affects 1&2% of the population. The origin of this disease is not clear, although some workers say that it is caused by sympathetic over activity nervousness. For the cure of this disease Antiperspirants are available. It can also be cured by Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS) method.

Keywords: Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy, Iontophoresis, Liposuction, Botox, Botunlinum, Anxiety

Introduction
In hyperhidrosis, there is a too much and non&physiological production of sweat by our body. (1) Hyperhidrosis may be a general condition where unnecessary sweating occurs all over the body or local hyperhidrosis where the unnecessary sweating is in a specific location such as the face, feet or hands. By looking at affected portion, it seems that it is just washed, either it is hand, foot or underarms.

Important Facts
1. Hyperhidrosis affects between 1&2% of the population.
2. In certain regions the percentage appears more than 2% (Taiwan and Philippines).
3. Family genetic history is believed to play a major role in Hyperhidrosis (2)
4. The most common areas of focal Hyerhidrosis are in the hands, armpits, and feet.
5. Male and females both are affected.
6. It can negatively affect people socially and functionally in their lives.
7. Historically doctors have completely misunderstood or underestimated its significant impact on patient’s lives.

Etiology
The origin of this disease is not clear, although some workers say that it is caused by sympathetic over activity or nervousness (3). Other factors may also take part in the problem and include certain foods, and drinks, nicotine, caffeine and fragrances. These may generate a reaction leading to the appearance of the problem.

MANAGEMENT

Antiperspirants
Antiperspirants are available in market. By spraying upon affected portion, they produce less sweat for 6&10 hours. (4) Some multi national companies launch 16 hours less producing sweat Antiperspirants in market.

Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy
With surgery, sweat through affected portion can be minimized or even can be removed completely. This method is called Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS). (5) In ETS, surgeon operates up to 30&60 minutes. Patient is completely unconscious and surgeon cuts sweat related Nerve. But this method is completely banned even in Sweden that was, its birth place in 2003. Because quantity of sweat can even gets more instead of reduction or it can expel to release through any other part of body. Another method during surgery overactive glands of sweat can removed from the body.

Sweat gland suction
Sweat gland suction (6) method is originated from Liposuction (7) and is only used in auxiliary hyperhidrosis (8) means to remove excess of sweat from under arms.

Iontophoresis
Iontophoresis (9) is used for hands and foot. Affected part is absorbed or dipped in water and electric current is passed whose quantity ranges from 15&18 amperes and is produced through DC Generator and in armpits the current is applicated via wet sponge electrodes.

Botox. This method of cure is so famous that in 2004 FDA approved this method. Botox (10) is particularly common for sweat in underarms.

Purified Botunlinum Toxin.
Purified botunlinum toxin (11) is injected into the underarms, which temporarily block the nerves that stimulate sweating. The affect usually lasts for 2&6 months although some patients may continue to benefits for 12 months. It is very costly treatment. Make it clear that Botox is used to remove the wrinkles of skin and it can use as anti aging agent. (12) Prospects of ancient general Practitioner In the treatment of this disease doctors and herbalists (13) tell few precautions, upon acting on them it reduces significantly. Every department and way of precaution related physicians tell these measures.

1. Keep body cold as much as u can. Keep your head cover under direct sunlight.
2. Take regular bath and wash especially infected area.
3. Change cloth regularly.
4. Stay well away from meat and wine.
5. Tea, nicotine(14), caffeine(15) and other addicted items are strictly not recommended.
6. Use such sought of cloths that do not cause any distortion between body and air.
7. Drink as much water as u can so that body temperature may not exceed.
8. Do not use oily and fried items. Use low chilly in edibles.
9. Use vegetables and corn to eat. Use Milk, Yogurt, and easily digested food.
10. Stay away from worries.

Precautions
In Hyperhidrosis, exercise is best than any other way out. Exercise can give best relief to patient than any other precaution or medicine.
i. Some patients suffer from this disease only at night they don’t have any symptom in day time. They cannot even sleep at night due to which they remain depressed and this adds to their sickness.
ii. Some patients remain normal during the summer. And got their Underarms, hands, Foot, face, and joints covered with wet only in winter. That is a source of complete depression.
iii. In some patients, this process of excessive sweating becomes fast as long as they remain hungry. But as soon as they eat some thing sweat strength reduces or almost finishes.

References
1. Henzen C. Gentle Gaint. Ther Umsch. 2010; 12:623&627.
2. Huang CC, Lu RB, Shih MC, Yen CH, Huang SY. Association study of the dopamine transporter gene with personality traits and major depressive disorder in the Han Chinese population. Pharmacogenet Genomics. 2010. [ahead of print]
3.Bakker MJ, Tijssen MA, van der Meer JN, Koelman JH, Boer F.Increased whole&body auditory startle reflex and autonomic reactivity in children with anxiety disorders. J Psychiatry Neurosci. 2009; 4:314&22.
4.Sen S, Sentürk E, PabuKcu E, Cokpinar S, Yaman E.Minimally invasive approach in the pleural fluids. Tuberk Toraks. 2010; 1:71&7.
5. Yanagihara TK, Ibrahimiye A, Harris C, Hirsch J, Gorenstein LA.Analysis of clamping versus cutting of T3 sympathetic nerve for severe palmar Hyerhidrosis. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2010; 140(5):984&9.
6. Rezai K. Suction curettage of the sweat glands&&an update. Dermatol Surg. 2009; 35(7):1126&9.
7.Pelosi MA 3rd, Pelosi MA 2nd.Breast augmentation.Obstet Gynecol Clin North America.
8.Maillard H, Briand N, Bara C, Celerier P .Efficacy of botulinum toxin A in the treatment of axillary and palmar hyperhidrosis. Ann dermatol venereal. 2003; 130(5):511&3.
9. Tesselaar E, Sjöberg F. Transdermal iontophoresis as an in&vivo technique for studying microvascular physiology.Microvasc Res. 2010. [ahead of print]
10.Delstanche S, Schoenen J. Botulinum toxin for the treatment of headache: a promising path on a “dead end road”?Acta Neurol Belg. 2010; 110(3):221&9.
11. Fahrer J, Funk J, Lillich M, Barth H.Internalization of biotinylated compounds into cancer cells is promoted by a molecular Trojan horse based upon core streptavidin and clostridial C2 toxin.Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol. 2010. [ahead of print]
12. Zhong W, Zou G, Gu J, Zhang J. L&arginine attenuates high glucose&accelerated senescence in human umbilical vein endothelial cells.Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 2010 ;89(1):38&45.
13.Mati E, de Boer H. Ethnobotany and trade of medicinal plants in the Qaysari Market, Kurdish Autonomous Region, Iraq. J Ethnopharmacol. 2010. [Epub ahead of print]
14. Edens E, Massa A, Petrakis I. Novel pharmacological approaches to drug abuse treatment. Curr Top Behav Neurosci. 2010; 3:343&86
15. Duncan MJ, Oxford SW. The Effect of Caffeine Ingestion on Mood State and Bench Press Performance to Failure. J Strength Cond Res. 2010. [Epub ahead of print]

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We thought it was about time we added an FAQ section with just some of the questions we are asked on a regular basis.

Q: Who is Very Sweaty Betty?

A: All of us. We all are. If you sweat excessively, that entitles you to become one of the elite who can call themselves Sweaty Betty. It’s true!

Q: What do you do?

A: We help. Or we try to. The two founders have over 70 years personal experience of Hyperhidrosis between them. They know what adversities people have to face every day of their lives. We provide a friendly ear – or shoulder – and do our best to advise you on building your own personal strategy for dealing with your sweat.

Q: Is that all?

A: No! That’s just the tip of the iceberg! We have a private forum for people of all ages to get together and share tips and help prop each other up during the hard times. We even have a ranting section that we use when we want to let rip about something. The great thing is, you can talk about anything and everything on our forum, nobody will judge you for being who you are.

Q: What advantages are there for me?

A: For a start, it’s free. You get all the help and support we can possibly give you. We have enough love to go around all our lovely members. We are really lucky to have specialists aboard too – we have a highly qualified Dermatologist (skin specialist) whose specific interest is in Hyperhidrosis. He regularly uses Botox for people who sweat excessively. We have a qualified Nurse who suffers from Hyperhidrosis herself and we also have an almost-qualified Counselor – who also suffers personally. Coming soon is a What Not to Wear section – where our specialist shopper (with Hyperhidrosis) scours the High Street to help you find sweat-friendly clothing wherever you are!

Q: Anything else?

A: Since you ask, yes. We are really lucky to have sponsors who help pay our website’s running costs. They are all really good reputable companies who we have got to know personally over the years. They are all dedicated in helping the often miserable world of Hyperhidrosis to become a happier place by developing and selling a multitude of products specifically for this disease. We try a lot of products on VSB, and we blog about them. If they work, we tell you. If they don’t work, we tell you that, too. Having Hyperhidrosis can be an expensive business, our blogs help you to decide for yourself the products that will best suit you personally. We regularly have special offers on all kinds of products so you can even save yourself some money, too!

Q: What do you want from me?

A: Besides your friendship?  Just the one thing, please. It’s not much but it will help make an awful lot of difference to our ongoing Awareness Campaign – please link to www.verysweatybetty.com from your home pages, blogs, wherever you can. If you like, you could use www.hyperhidrosisawarenesscampaign.com or www.hyperhidrosissupport.instead. It’s all the same to us. Each time you add a link to us, you’re helping us to achieve our aims of bringing the knowledge of this miserable disease to everyone.  It means that one day, you will be able to step outside your front door without the stigma attached to sweating.  Comments like ‘buy some deodorant’ or ‘get a shower’ is what we aim to eradicate.  We also want to remind the medical world that Hyperhidrosis IS a big deal and that we all need their help.

Hello all,
I have been feeling so frustrated since last week thinking I was going to receive my Facial, Cranial Botox as a Hyperhidrosis treatment.

We drove 50 miles round trip and waited almost 45 minutes to be seen by my lovely Dermatologist, when she took me back  I placed my bag on the window sill next to the procedure bed thinking this is where I would have my treatment done.  I could see her looking and she told me to sit in the chair near her.  (I thought she prob wants to go over the side effects and make sure all meds were the same?!)

I sat and waited and she smiled weakly and said, “The are not allowing you to have the Botox treatment as they see if as a cosmetic procedure rather than a medical treatment!”

She apologized and I know in my heart if she could have made it happen she would.

I was gob smacked and told her I thought I was having it done? I said the her nurse had called telling me so?!  She said she was sorry for this and that it was a miss communication.  She thought it best to have her deliver the news in person rather than over the phone.  I told her thank you and asked why!  All I wanted to do was burst into tears and scream.

She said they saw it as a cosmetic thing rather than a medical treatment and I challenged her and said big organizations claim that most insurance companies are now seeing Botox as the big treatment for this and why wont mine?  She said they don’t understand, they don’t get it!  Even though it stated all the other tried treatments failed.

I then proceeded on and said, “do they think I want a wrinkle free scalp and hair line?” I’m not asking to have this done any where else!  I could see if I was having it done around my eyes and other areas.  She replied they just dont get it.  I them told her how this affects me on a daily basics.  She gets it, she really does but her hands were tied.

How are they EVER GOING TO GET HOW IT EFFECTS US ON A DAILY BASICS???  Can anyone answer this?  Until they walk in our sweaty bodies, they never will or if they have a close family or friend who suffers to really see the draining impact of life and hyperhidrosis.  They will never know how we turn down social events and fear ones we have to attend because they don’t understand or get it!

They will never know how we hide behind closed doors or wear dark clothing to disguise the sweating.  How we feel dirty and what it feels like to have to live in wet clothing.  To suffer yeast infections on our skin and chaff from the sweating.   How afraid we are of having to shake a hand or hold something.  How we have to change clothing often and ruin our clothing because of the smell and sweat stains that wont come out.  How we slip and slide in shoes or make them so wet and funky we have to replace them often.   How normal activities for everyone else turn into a sweaty night mare for us.  The fear of hot weather and humidity.

How would they feel, if they walked in our bodies for a week?

Do you think Hyperhidrosis would be more accepted and treated better?

I have a member in the forum the same way as I was a week ago!!   Crushed and in tears as she was told she could not have the oral medication they prescribe for this (even though it is not for Hyperhidoris) but used as one of the side effects is less sweating!  We take them because of this, regardless of their horrid side effects and dangers of being in prolonged daylight.  We take them because they give us some relief and peace of mind from the endless sweating.  Just like we do with hundreds of needles if WE  ARE GRANTED, Botox or Dysport as a treatment for this.  The only treatment currently to give us a few months break and less of the horrible side effects but it is like liquid gold, hard to get!   Do we blame the manufacturer or maybe Doctors or even the public for making it this way?  It is seen as a cosmetic procedure for vanity but what can give SUFFERERS OF HYPERHIDROSIS relief we are denied!

What can I tell her?!

I can give her the support and comfort she deserves as she is a beautiful human being who suffers and has become a dear friend.  She suffers daily not only physically but emotionally as they go hand in hand.  The emotional round about we are on daily would swing your head!  The thought and preparation of a day in a sufferers life if there is an social event would have you a basket case too!

How do I tell her that everything is going to be OK?  How do I tell myself?  With not having professionals understanding this skin disease, WHO IS?

I have a big event coming up in two weeks and had to pay for my own treatment, most are not cheap.

I have to give a big shout out to my wonderful Dermatologist in Austin, Dr Daniel Carrasco who does understand and did help at a discounted price.

We need more understanding on this and compassion from professionals.  More awareness need to be raised and if your with me let me know and we can fight against this together.  There needs to be more cheaper treatments available for us that don’t burn our skin, dry us out or can even cause heat stroke.

I hope you understand and I pray to God that one day we will all get the treatment we deserve while living with this social killer, self confidence drainer and self esteem robber sore,  they call HYPERHIDROSIS.

Tonight I was going to blog about electrolytes but I’m really fired up about the procedures in place (or not) regarding Botox for hyperhidrosis.

Dr Oz (in the US) had a segment on tv for just this subject, today.  Amongst other things he recommended Botox.  Many dermatologists recommend it – but when it comes to medical insurance or national health services, their get out-of-jail-free card is that it’s a ‘cosmetic’ product and procedure.  I don’t know of a single insurer that is content to allow Botox for hyperhidrosis.  You might be lucky to get it once, or maybe even twice – but you’re really on borrowed time with it.

Botox costs relatively little to purchase – around $150 a vial.  For the Botox to be administered, you could be paying around $3,000 for your dermatologist’s time – around half an hour.  There really aren’t many people who can afford to do that a couple of times a year.

Medical insurers and dermatologists are fully aware that Botox is a fantastic treatment for hyperhidrosis but they have failed to produce a code that authorises the treatment, even though for the last 15 months, hyperhidrosis has been categorised as a skin disease rather than a condition.  It is easy for a dermatologist to distinguish between cosmetic and medical situations so why isn’t there a code for authorising Botox as a legitimate medical procedure? Can you tell where this is going?  One word.  MONEY.  Why do we continue to pay insurance premiums and national insurances when they can refuse us something that would give us back a little self-respect and quality of life.  I haven’t left a question mark at the end of the last sentence, you’ll notice, frankly I’m not interested in a reply to that one.  Whatever it is, it’s doubtless going to be well thought out and designed to fob us off.

As with many things, vanity has played a part in denying us the medical treatment we so desperately need.  Think about it – breast augmentation is carried out regularly on the National Health Service if you can convince the doctors/surgeon that having a B cup is seriously ruining your life and a DD cup would stop your depression and eternal misery.  It’s a non-essential procedure. I can understand a breast reduction – carrying around large breasts can seriously damage your back and cause constant pain.  I don’t have a problem with reconstruction surgery, for instance after a mastectomy or for women who have two obviously noticeable breasts of different sizes.  A few years ago, there were many women having caesarian (c-section) births because it was fashionable – Too Posh to Push.  Unless there is a medical need for this procedure, it comes under the ‘elective’ category, and therefore a personal choice that costs insurance companies/health services millions – if not billions every year.

There are many flaws – some of them hypocritical – with the treatment of hyperhidrosis patients and this really needs to be addressed.  We’re not asking for anything to be enhanced, made prettier, more fashionable – and whilst it’s not essential, neither are most elective procedures – but they’re somehow considered important.

I’m sure we’ll rant some more cover this subject again at some point.  Please feel free to comment or get involved with our forum discussions on this and just about everything else you can think about.

We MUST find a way to change this, it’s not about vanity and wrinkles and wanting something for nothing, it’s just about the one thing that will increase our quality of life immeasurably.