Hyperhidrosis is often a distressing, socially debilitating condition, affecting a small but significant proportion of the world population. While symptoms usually begin during adolescence, it can also occur in other age groups.

Treatment options given to patients who suffer from hyperhidrosis usually depend on the severity of their case and which body area is affected. Non-surgical treatments such as oral medications, anti-perspirants, ointments, botox injections and iontophoresis, are the usual initial options given to patients. When none of those treatments prove beneficial or effective, there are also surgical treatments available to patients seeking more permanent results.

In the past, surgical procedures done for hyperhidrosis cases usually involve a painful incision either at the chest, back or neck (e.g. upper thoracic sympathectomy). Most often than not, these highly invasive procedures result to complications such as brachial plexus, phrenic nerve injury, or Horner’s Syndrome, a condition that can cause dropping of the upper eyelids and eye dryness. In rare cases, excessive bleeding may likewise happen. Due to recent technological advances, minimally invasive surgical methods, such as thoracoscopic sympathectomy or otherwise known as endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS), were made possible.

ETS is a surgical procedure that intends to interrupt sympathetic nerve impulses sent to the sweat glands and prevent localized excessive sweating (usually in the hands and face). While the patient is under general anesthesia, a 5-mm. endoscope is inserted into a small incision made below the underarm to identify the second through fourth ganglia. The identified branches to the main sympathetic chain at each level are divided before the main chain is removed. The same procedure is done on the patient’s other side, which is crucial in preventing symptoms from recurring years later.

ETS is most effective in treating excessive hand and facial sweating, with a success rate of more than 98%. It also gives additional relief to excessive feet sweating. While it is a highly effective procedure with permanent results, it has very minimal complication rate. Incident of Horner’s Syndrome for instance, is about less than 1%.

As with most surgical procedures, ETS also has some side effects and the most common of which is compensatory sweating. Compensatory sweating occurs in about 50% of ETS patients. Also, there are reported cases of small pneumothorax after the operation, but in this case, no medical intervention is required and patients can usually go home after 24 hours.

While ETS is generally safe and a highly effective method in treating hyperhidrosis cases, it is still best for patients to look only for experienced, highly competent and certified surgeons for excellent and long-term results.

In some rare cases, individuals who are afflicted with severe Facial Blushing may develop an anxiety condition referred to as Social Phobia. This condition is caused by the hyperactivity of the sympathetic nervous system. The condition also often causes the skin to appear greasy. It may take place alone or in tandem with severe sweating of the face.

Small rises in temperature and/or humidity are stimuli for facial sweating. Severe facial sweating typically covers the entire scalp and face. Severe Facial perspiration is found in both males and females. People with this condition find themselves drenched with perspiration on the face and scalp while doing the simplest tasks. Women with this condition are usually constrained to wear their hair short and they cannot wear makeup because it runs whenever they sweat. The wearing of towels around the neck is not an unusual practice for individuals with this particular disorder. Contrary to popular belief, hyperhidrosis is assumed to be a genetic trait and has no bearing to being obese.

The profuse perspiration frequently causes awkwardness and irritation to those who suffer from this condition. It is also very hard to explain it to those who are not familiar with it. Many sufferers eventually shy away from social functions and prefer to just stay in very cold, climate controlled rooms. The uncontrolled and discomforting condition of profuse facial perspiration and blushing can be successfully cured with Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy or ETS. The procedure has been observed to have a success rate of about eighty to eighty-five percent. The same particular surgery is normally done to treat severe hand and undearm sweating.

We specialize in the control of Severe Facial Sweating and Blushing as well as Extreme Underarm Sweating, Profuse Feet Sweating and Profuse Sweating of the hands. We have successfully mastered tried and proven techniques ranging from the non-invasive to minor and major surgeries. Our patients are the testament to our great care and attention to detail in alleviating this disorder.

Hyperhidrosis can manifest itself in many forms. Excessive facial perspiration is only one of them. When this condition happens it extends to more than just the face. It also affects the scalp and the neck. When the scalp is affected by profuse perspiration, the hair tends to look oily and dirty. Although this condition is identified as severe facial sweating, the unfavorable effect of this condition is also adverse when it comes to the hair. Blow drying the hair may prove to be a difficult chore to those who are afflicted with this particular disorder

Many medications are used to effectively treat facial hyperhidrosis. Robinul and Sympathectomy are observed to be the best in treating this condition. They may be used individually or in combination when treating extreme facial blushing.