Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition in which a person sweats excessively and unpredictably. People with hyperhidrosis may sweat even when the temperature is cool or when they are at rest.
Botulinum toxin (commonly known as Botox®) is a natural, purified protein with the ability to interrupt the chemical messages released by nerve endings. For hyperhidrosis, Botox® works by blocking the nerves that stimulate the sweat glands. Botox® has been safely used to treat millions of people for more than 10 years for several therapeutic conditions.
Using Botox® to alleviate the symptoms of hyperhidrosis is a promising new approach. Research has shown that treating underarm hyperhidrosis with Botox® is safe and effective. In recent studies, when Botox® was injected into under arm areas affected by hyperhidrosis, excessive sweating was relieved for an average of seven months. And with 28% of those studied, the anhidrosis (or lack of sweating) lasted sixteen months.
When treatment of underarm hyperhidrosis with topical antiperspirants has been unsuccessful, Botox® is a highly effective and convenient alternative. The injections require 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).
It’s important to note that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Botox® for axillary hyperhidrosis on July 19th, 2004. Keep in mind, that it may take several sessions to achieve desired results and that during each session multiple injections are given in an attempt to cover the entire affected area.
Follow-up injections to maintain the antiperspirant effect are necessary. These repeat injections may be required at intervals varying from seven to sixteen months. Following the injections, full effect is normally achieved within 24 to 72 hours.
Side effects of Botox® injections can include small amounts of bleeding into the skin at the injection site and mild temporary weakness of muscles near the injection sites. (Underarm injections are less likely to cause muscle weakness.) Minor discomfort such as a stinging sensation may be felt during the injections. Temporary skin rashes, flu-like symptoms, or fatigue may occur within days after treatment. Temporary bruising is also possible. These side effects, if experienced, usually go away quickly.
You should not receive Botox® treatments if you have generalized muscular weakness, a neuromuscular disorder, progressive myopathies, or profound atrophy of the targeted area, or if you have been on certain types of antibiotic therapy. Additionally, pregnant or breastfeeding women should not use Botox®, and the injections should not be given if the proposed injection site is infected in any way.