Using Botox to Curb Excessive Sweating

excessive sweating, hyperhidrosis, botox, underarm sweat
Sweat is a good thing; perspiration is how your body regulates its own temperature. But when you frequently have to excuse yourself from group gatherings to hide nasty armpit stains, maybe it’s time to consider doing something about it.
If you find that your palms are abnormally sweaty, or that your arm pits seem increasingly active in producing sweat, you might be suffering from a condition called hyperhidrosis. This medical problem is caused by an increased concentration of sweat glands, or a higher body temperature than what’s normal. Other areas that may be affected by this condition are the groin and the soles of your feet.
Hyperhidrosis treatments of the past typically involved the application of lotions and deodorants, or the prescription of specialized pills. However, such treatments have shown limited results in preventing excessive sweat.
Today, experts in the field of cosmetics have developed a variety of methods that have proven highly effective in solving this rather embarrassing predicament.
Botox and Underarm Sweat
Botulinum toxin, better known by its commercial name of Botox, is basically a poison from the Clostridium botulinium bacterium. However, research has come up with a variety of ways in which the chemical may be prepared for medical usage. In 2002, the use of Botulinum toxin type A-what you know as Botox-to cosmetically remove facial wrinkles was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To date, the toxin has been used on a variety of procedures to treat over a million patients who suffered from different ailments.
The FDA further approved of Botox treatment for patients who suffered from axillary hyperhidrosis in 2004. This treatment is recommended for patients who could no longer counter excessive sweating with the mere use of antiperspirants.
Botox works by temporarily affecting the brain. It prevents the brain from releasing a certain chemical that stimulates the body’s sweat glands. Although it has not yet been confirmed that Botox can treat other kinds of hyperhidrosis other than that of the arm pits, it has been administered with the intention of preventing excessive sweating of the palms and feet-and has been shown to be effective.
The Botox treatment is done by injecting small amounts of the chemical into the area where the hyperactive sweat glands are supposed to be. The patient might experience pain when Botox is injected into the palms or foot soles, so the doctor may apply anesthetics for the procedure.
Botox treatment is not a permanent cure for hyperhidrosis. Symptoms of the condition may return eventually, so the patient must return for another injection within 7 to 16 months after getting the first one.
Risks and Benefits
Of course, as with any other operation, the Botox treatment entails some risk. Patients may experience side effects within hours-or weeks-after the injection. These side affects may include difficulty in swallowing, speaking, or breathing. Spread of the toxin may cause weakness, and visual impairment. There have also been reports of allergic reaction to the toxin, such as swelling and itchiness.
However, Botox is still a convenient treatment for hyperhidrosis, as it does not restrict the patient from engaging in his/her daily activities before or after the procedure. It takes little time to administer the Botox injection, and it may be done in the doctor’s office.