[Focal hyperhidrosis: disease characteristics and treatments]

Hyperhidrosis is a disease defined by the eccrine sweat glands production exceeding the needs of thermoregulation. In most of the cases there is no underlying disease and hyperhidrosis is characterised by an intense sweating or flow in the axillae or palms. Hyperhidrosis results in an important psychologic effect that can lead to a major socio-professional impairement. In the severe forms of hyperhidrosis, conservative treatments often are disappointing. Botulinum toxin is a successful treatment used in hyperhidrosis for more than ten years. It is an important therapeutic discovery that leads to a dramatic decrease of sweat and to quick improvement in the quality of life.