What is considered hyperhidrosis?

Axillary hyperhidrosis is a medical condition that causes excessive sweating, far beyond the body’s natural need for cooling. It’s more than just getting sweaty after exercise or on a hot day and it can impact your day-to-day life. The sweating can be so heavy that it soaks through clothes, drips from the hands or face, and causes difficulty doing everyday tasks.

If you’re sweating so much that it affects your daily comfort, then it’s worth getting checked. Common signs include sweaty underarms that stain clothes, wet palms that make handshakes awkward, slippery feet in shoes, or visible sweating on the face and scalp. Many people also say they feel stressed or anxious about sweating, which can make the problem worse. While the exact cause of hyperhidrosis is not fully understood, it’s believed to result from overactive sweat glands. Fortunately, there are effective solutions available that don’t just mask the symptoms, but targets the root cause of the problem.

What are the different types of hyperhidrosis?

There are two main types of hyperhidrosis: primary hyperhidrosis, which usually begins in childhood or adolescence and affects specific areas like the underarms, hands, feet, or face without any underlying medical cause; and secondary hyperhidrosis, which is excessive sweating caused by an underlying condition such as infection, hormonal changes, medications, or systemic illness, and tends to affect larger areas of the body.

Generalised Hyperhidrosis

Generalised hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating throughout the body, even during rest. It can be idiopathic (no identifiable cause), or it may be a symptom of hormonal imbalances, infections, certain medications, or underlying medical disorders.

What treatments are available?

Various treatment options exist for hyperhidrosis, and your dermatologist will recommend the most effective approach based on the severity of your sweating, the areas affected, and how your condition responds to initial therapies.

For mild to moderate cases, clinical-strength antiperspirants may be recommended as a first-line treatment. These work by temporarily blocking the sweat glands and are most commonly used for underarm sweating. If over-the-counter treatments aren’t effective, your dermatologist may suggest specialised medical treatments to manage help more persistent or localised sweating. One of the most appealing aspects of this treatment is its longevity. Patients typically experience a significant reduction in underarm sweating for several months after each treatment. After a single session many patients report an improved quality of life. 

Consultation Fees for Hyperhidrosis

This is a private specialist service by our consultant dermatologists. Fees apply for both the consultation and treatment, but Medicare rebates are available when you have a valid referral. If your dermatologist recommends a specialised medical treatment for excessive underarm sweating, the total out-of-pocket cost is approximately $350. This fee covers the specialist consultation and medical procedure.

Consultations that don’t require “Specialised Medical Treatment”

If specialised medical treatment is not provided at your consultation, standard consultation fees apply:

Important Information

• A valid Medicare referral from your GP or specialist is required to receive the Medicare rebate.

• Fees are payable on the day of your appointment.

• We provide informed financial consent before proceeding with treatment, so you are fully aware of all costs involved.

*Informed financial consent fee breakdown: A fee ranging from ~ $620-$670 is charged at the time of your visit. You then receive a Medicare reimbursement ranging from ~ $280-$325. The final figure depends on whether this is a new visit or a review visit, and whether you have a valid Medicare referral, but the out-of-pocket fee remains similar. After your visit, a medication co-contribution fee of ~$40 will be charged by the Government for the injected medication. Combining these fees and rebates, the total out-of-pocket cost to you is approximately $350 for any visit where the Dermatologist performs an anti-sweat injection.

Do I need a referral?

We do not require a GP referral for hyperhidrosis appointments. This is a private specialist service and fees apply to your consultation and treatment. For consultations that do not result in ‘Specialised Medical Treatment’, having a GP referral entitles you to a Medicare rebate that reduces the out-of-pocket cost.

Book your hyperhidrosis visit

To make an online booking for the hyperhidrosis clinic, click the book now link. Otherwise you can email admin@karrinyupdermatology.com.au or call the clinic on (08) 9245 3376 to book an appointment.