New Medical Device Promises Relief From Profuse Sweating

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Everybody is born with two to four million sweat glands, but they're not all created equal. Some people sweat more than others, and it can lead to embarrassing problems.

But there's a new medical device that promises relief.

Shelby Keefer says she can't ever have enough antiperspirant.

"I go back and forth between using regular and more clinical strength," she said.

In her purse, at work, at home, the elementary school teacher has strategically placed sticks of antiperspirant everywhere so she can reapply often.

Keefer says from the time she was 10-years-old, she has sweat profusely. Sometimes for no reason.

"A lot of white shirts get ruined or discolored, which is annoying," says Keefer.

Keefer is hoping a new FDA-approved treatment will fix her problem.

First, a nurse maps out her underarm and gives her 20 to 30 shots of numbing anesthetic. Then, the doctor starts to run a device, called Miradry, over her underarm skin.

It sucks up sections of the skin, and then shoots them with microwaves.

"We're actually heating up the junction between the second and third layer of the skin, and we're destroying the sweat glands," said Dr. David Goldberg, of the skin laser & surgery specialist.

One in five Americans feel that they sweat too much. It's a condition called hyperhidrosis and antiperspirants don't do a lot to help. Before Miradry, the most sought-after treatment was Botox injections, which stops sweating for a few months.

A company study shows patients who used Miradry experienced an 82 percent reduction in sweat over 18 months.

Keefer has a few weeks of soreness and swelling ahead of her, and then she must repeat the process a second time.

"If it gets rid of most of my sweating, then yeah, it's worth it," said Keefer.

Most patients say the results are immediate. The procedure can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $3,000 and insurance does not cover it.

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