Axillary Hyperhydrosis - Excessive Sweating
What is Hyperhydrosis?
It is a medical term for excess sweating and is a common, unpleasant problem, especially in the underarms (axillae), soles of the feet and palms of the hands.
What are the causes?
Sometimes, there can be an underlying medical problem such as an over-active thyroid gland but generally it is constitutional, with no definitive cure.
How do Botulinum toxin injections work for underarm sweating?
Botulinum toxin is a bacterial protein which blocks the neuromuscular transmission of messages from nerves to sweat glands in the injected area. Thus, it stops the gland from performing its normal function, namely sweat production. Learn more at www.botoxseveresweating.com.
Can anyone have these injections?
Patients with a history of neuromuscular diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis or Myasthenia Gravis should not have Botulinum toxin injections. Furthermore, although there are no reports of any particular problems, it is also our policy to avoid them in pregnant or breastfeeding mothers.
What does the procedure involve?
Iodine followed by starch powder is initially applied to the underarm to highlight the affected area dark blue, various injection sites are then marked out with a surgical pen before using a fine needle to infiltrate the Botulinum toxin under the skin.
Is it painful?
There can be some minor localised discomfort with bruising for a few days afterwards but patients on Aspirin or other blood-thinning medication may take a little longer to settle.
How quickly does it work?
Reduced underarm sweating should be evident after only about 48 hours but the complete benefit may not be felt for up to 2 weeks.
How long do the benefits last?
The effects of each treatment session can last anywhere between 4 to 18 months before you need to re-attend for further injections.
Is it safe?
Botulinum toxin is a highly potent agent but medicinally it is used in very small quantities with high margins of safety. Thus, as well as having approval in hyperhydrosis, it actually has numerous functions in various fields of medicine. It is yet another example where natural products are being used for medical purposes, e.g., Penicillin comes from a fungus, Digoxin for heart disease comes from the Foxglove plant, etc.
Could I be allergic to it?
There has been no reported case of a true allergy to Botulinum toxin but obviously we avoid treating anyone who feels they could be allergic to it or albumin.
Does the body make any antibodies to Botulinum toxin?
Yes, especially if sufficient toxin is injected often enough. When lots of antibodies are formed, the therapeutic effects of Botulinum toxin are greatly reduced. Such resistance to treatment usually only develops in neurological disorders where larger amounts of the agent are used because for cosmetic purposes and hyperhydrosis we require only small doses.
Are there any alternatives?
- Antiperspirants and deodorants are useful and should always be tried prior to considering Botox injections;
- Prescription medications such as anti-cholinergic agents (e.g., Propantheline tablets) can help general sweating tendency but are not without side-effects, such as dry mouth, blurred vision, drowsiness, etc;
- Iontophoresis: This can be useful for sweaty hands and feet.
