Botox Treatment of Hyperhidrosis

Excessive Sweating 

In some people, the body’s mechanism for cooling itself is overactive — so overactive that they may sweat four or five times more than is necessary, or normal. When sweating is this extreme it can be embarrassing, uncomfortable, anxiety-inducing, and disabling. It can disrupt all aspects of a person's life, from career choices and recreational activities to relationships, emotional well-being, and self-image.

This kind of excessive sweating is a serious medical condition, called hyperhidrosis.

It doesn’t have to be this way.

In July 2004, the FDA approved BOTOX (botulinum toxin type A) for the treatment of severe primary axillary hyperhidrosis or excessive sweating. 

Botulinum toxin is a natural, purified protein with the ability to temporarily block the secretion of the chemical in the nervous system that is responsible for "turning on" the body's sweat glands. By blocking, or interrupting, this chemical messenger, botulinum toxin "turns off" sweating at the area where it has been injected.

Procedure

Botulinum toxin injections can be administered in a physician's office, require relatively little time, and do not demand any restrictions in work or leisure activity (aside from refraining from intensive exercise or the use of a sauna on the day of the injections).

During the procedure, a very fine needle is used to inject small amounts of botulinum toxin just under the skin near the sweat glands responsible for excessive perspiration. Multiple injections are given based on your doctor's assessment of the area that needs to be treated. Injections into the palms or soles may be painful. To ease discomfort, physicians may use one or more of a number of anesthetic techniques such as pain-killing creams, nerve blocks, ice, or vibrations.  

Results

There is a possibility that during the procedures some sweat glands may be missed. As a result, you may continue to experience some sweating from the untreated areas. If this happens, it's important to talk to your doctor so that he or she can reevaluate the sweating areas and perhaps "fill in" the gaps with additional injections.

Botulinum toxin injections do not cure hyperhidrosis; your symptoms will return gradually. Follow-up injections are required to maintain dryness. These repeat injections may be necessary at intervals varying from seven to sixteen months.

Using BOTOX Injections for Hyperhidrosis Effectively

The use of botulinum toxin for the treatment of hyperhidrosis is most effective when performed by a physician who has received special training and who has experience with the procedure.

The International Hyperhidrosis Society lists highly experienced physicians in this Hyperhidrosis Physician Finder, including  SkinHealth's Dr. Daniel Townsend who administers 20-50 Botox treatments for these areas annually:

• Under Arm
  

• Face/Head
  

• Hands
  

• Feet