Woden Dermatology
What is Hyperhidrosis?
Our Services

What is Hyperhidrosis
Severe axillary hyperhidrosis is caused by overactive sweat glands affecting the armpits and can be a serious and debilitating medical condition. Medicare is now funding muscle relaxant medication where patients have failed or are intolerant to clinical strength antiperspirants.
Severe sweating can be significantly reduced by injecting a small amount of botulinum toxin (type A) into the tissue just under the skin. The toxin disables the muscle of the sweat gland from responding to nerve stimulation.
Botulinum toxin treatment has been studied for many years and is a safe, effective, well tolerated and straight forward treatment for severe axillary hyperhidrosis. We recommend on the day of treatment you wear a comfortable sleeveless top. You may wish to shave your underarms, but this is optional.
The treatment involves injections to the armpit area using a very small needle. Patients find the level of discomfort to be very mild and easily tolerated. The entire treatment takes just a few minutes on each side and you can resume normal activities immediately afterwards. The treatment usually lasts between 4 – 6 months. Treatment of sever axillary hyperhidrosis is now subsidised by Medicare* for up to three treatments per year, no less than 4 months apart.
Treatment of sever axillary hyperhidrosis is now subsidised by Medicare* for up to three treatments per year, no less than 4 months apart.
To be eligible for a Medicare subsidised treatment you must fulfil the following criteria:
- You must have been intolerant or not responded to topical aluminium chloride hexahydrate.
- You must be 12 years of older;
- you must have primary hyperhidrosis (ie. not due to an underlying illness).
- There must be 123 days between your previous treatment date.