Hyperhidrosis is the medical term for ‘sweating’. Hyperhidrosis can occur on most body sites but it seems to be most debilitating in the following areas:
• Armpits (axillae)
• Face
• Groin
• Under the breasts
• Hands and feet
Generalised sweating is a medical condition that requires investigation by a dermatologist. Hyperhidrosis is a social debilitating problem. If standard antiperspirants have not helped then alternative options may be sought. Oral medications can be prescribed by our doctors, but these can have side effects.
Botulinum toxin is a safe and effective treatment. For under arm sweating patients receiving treatment with this will entitled to a medicare rebate. Botulinum toxin also works very well for facial sweating in small doses, and hands and feet. Theres areas are not however covered on medicare. Results can last longer than for wrinkles sometimes up to 9 months. Treatments are administered by our dermatologists or cosmetic nurses.
For hand and foot sweating we offer iontophoresis. This is a treatment performed in the clinic where the hands and/or feet are immersed in a water solution containing an active ingredient. Treatments are done weekly.
As a last resort some severe cases of sweating may require surgery.
To ensure any treatment is safe for you, it is important to first make an appointment with us for a medical assessment with our Dermatologists Dr Alice Rudd and Dr Tasos Stavrakoglou prior to any treatment.
Chronic plaque psoriasis is an autoimmune inflammatory condition of the skin. It cannot be cured but these days can be managed very well. Treatment involves topical creams in the first instance. Most patients come to a dermatologist as their psoriasis has not responded to topical measures. Many psoriasis sufferers find their skin improves in the summer, this is because of UV and sun exposure.
At Skindepth we offer narrowband UVB treatment for psoriasis patients as a safe, no cost way to control their skin inflammation. We also have a UVB machine in Shepparton at the GV Skin and Specialist Centre. For those who do not respond to UVB, we consider oral treatments that slightly suppress the immune system. These include methotrexate, cyclosporin and Vitamin A medications such as neotigason.
In the last 5-10 years clever scientists have developed new medications called biologics. These drugs target the part of the immune system responsible for the inflammation in psoriasis. These drugs generally totally clear the skin and patients are happy and report them to be life-changing. These drugs (ustekinumab, adalimumab, ixekixumab) are expensive but available at minimal cost for those who qualify on medicare. Dr Alice Rudd as a special interest in the treatment of psoriasis with biologics, she also runs a clinic at the Skin Health Institute for biologics patients.
Eczema is also known as dermatitis or atopic dermatitis. Eczema can be genetic (endogenous), allergic or irritant. Eczema is very itchy and quite debilitating for sufferers. Often asthma and hay fever co-exists.
Treatments are generally with topical steroids whilst being careful not to overuse and thin the skin. Bleach baths are a great adjunct to those with secondary infected eczema. Sunlight treatment in the form of narrow band UVB is also highly effective treatment for those with eczema. Low dose immunosuppressives such as azathioprine and mycophenolate can be used to help eczema and there are new biologic treatments on the horizon. Eczema management requires a holistic approach to triggers, allergies and other exerting factors. We aim to arm our patients with knowledge of how to treat flares and manage their eczema in the long term.
