:: Excessive Sweating (Hyperhidrosis) Continued

:: Botox – What is it and how does it work in hyperhidrosis?

Botox is a treatment given by injection into the skin. It is recommended for the treatment of axillary hyperhidrosis and it has also been used for many years to treat muscle spasm affecting the eyes, face and neck. Botox is also used to relieve muscle spasm in children with cerebral palsy.

Botox is a very pure preparation of a protein, botulinum toxin type A, obtained from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. When small doses are injected into the skin, Botox blocks the actions of the nerves that supply the sweat glands; this prevents the glands from producing sweat. Botox blocks the nerve endings but over about 6-12 weeks new nerve endings grow to replace them. This means that the effects of treatment last for several months but eventually they will wear off.

:: What happens during a course of treatment with Botox?

Using a very fine needle, your doctor will inject a small amount (0.1-0.2ml) of a solution of Botox into 10 to 15 places spread evenly in each armpit. As the needles used are very fine, most people experience only mild discomfort during the treatment.

:: How quickly does it work and how long will the effects last?

You should notice some change for the better within a week of your treatment. Your next treatment can be given when the effects of the first course wear off, this usually happens after 4 to 7 months, sometimes longer.

:: Are there any side effects?

Every treatment has side effects in at least some patients: discomfort at injection sites, an increase in sweating elsewhere on the body and transient arm weakness have been reported, as have mild ‘flu-like’ symptoms lasting a few days.

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