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Excessive uncontrollable perspiration, called “hyperhidrosis,” happens in about 1% of the population.  The sweating can occur in the hands, face, underarms, and forehead.  Axillary hyperhidrosis is the type that occurs in the underarm area. 

Recent long-term studies have shown that persons suffering from axillary hyperhidrosis can be treated with Botox injections.  The FDA has approved Botox for excessive underarm sweating that is not adequately managed with topical agents such as prescription antiperspirants. Botox treatment helps control this condition by temporarily blocking the chemical signals from the nerves that stimulate the sweat glands.

In two placebo-controlled, multicenter, double-blind clinical trials involving over 600 adults, those who received Botox had significantly reduced underarm sweating as compared to the placebo group. In one study, four weeks after being injected, the percentage of people showing a 50% reduction in sweating was 91% in the group receiving Botox compared to 36% in the placebo group. In another study, the average duration of response following the first treatment was 170 days.

Botox treatments in the underarm area have been shown to produce low side effects and reduce sweating for 6 months to 2 years.  They consist of about 15-20 injections into the underarm.  Repeated treatments are required typically every 6 or 8 months. 

Axillary Botox injections are fairly expensive.  They generally run in the thousand to couple of thousand-dollar range per treatment.  Some of the cost may be deferred with insurance. 

Hyperhidrosis can also occur in the face and hands.  Patients with this type of excessive sweating tend to eschew Botox injections.  Multiple injections into the face or hand can be painful.  Botox injections have also had some side effects in palmar injections, which may include temporary hand muscle paralysis.

Other side effects, which are less common in Botox injections for hyperhidrosis, include anxiety, pain, hemorrhage, flu-like symptoms, injection site pain and bleeding, headache, itching, fever, or sweating in other parts of the body.  Patients should also be examined for the cause of their excessive sweating, which may be the result of a more serious ailment and then Botox treatment may not be the best option.

With all medical treatments of this sort, make sure and discuss all concerns with your board-certified plastic surgeon before undergoing Botox injections for hyperhidrosis. degesundheit.com