Botox for Sweating
DON’T SWEAT IT!
TAKE ACTION NOW TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT
YOUR EXCESSIVE SWEATING, KNOWN AS HYPERHIDROSIS.
Treatment is easy with Botox® (Botulinum Toxin Type A)
How Can Botox Help?
Botox® is an FDA approved treatment for hyperhidrosis when severe underarm sweating is not adequately controlled with topical agents. Botox® treatments help to control this condition by temporarily blocking the chemical signals from the nerves that stimulate the sweat glands. When the sweat glands not longer receive the chemical signals, the severe sweating stops.
How Long Does the Botox Treatment Last?
For the average patient, Botox treatments typically last for 6-8 months. It is important to note that this treatment is not a cure; your symptoms will gradually return and you will know when the time is right for another treatment.
What Is Treatment with Botox® Like?
The procedure is relatively simple. First, your underarms are cleansed and dried thoroughly. Next, we paint your underarms with an iodine solution or povidone-iodine swabsticks. Next, your underarms are evenly dusted with fine starch powder (cornstarch) and any excess is wiped off. We then wait several minutes (10-15) until the presence of sweat begins to cause the mixture to turn dark blue-purple or black in color, making the location of sweat discernible. Using a skin marker, we then identify the regions of sweating with center points that are approximately 1.5 cm apart. This is done in a staggered pattern, creating a grid. Next a small volume of Botox® solution is injected into the affected areas through a very fine needle. The needle is placed just under the skin, so you may experience some injection-related discomfort. we begin the series of injection points with Botox® utilizing a very fine needle.
The most frequently reported side effects following Botox® injections include injection-site pain and bleeding, non-underarm sweating, infection, inflammation of the throat, flu like symptoms, headache, fever, neck or back pain, itching, and anxiety.
How Long Before I Notice Results From Botox Treatment?
You should notice a significant reduction in underarm sweating within 4 weeks of your first treatment. There is a possibility that some sweat glands may be missed, and you may continue to experience some sweating from the untreated areas. If you do not see a significant reduction in sweating, you should contact your healthcare provider and request a follow-up consultation.
What is the Cost of a Typical Botox Treatment?
Most patients require 100 units of Botox for the treatment of severe underarm sweating. Our current cost for this treatment is $1,000.00.
Are Botox Treatments Safe for This Condition?
BOTOX® treatment is contraindicated in the presence of infection at the proposed injection site(s) and in individuals with known hypersensitivity to any ingredient in the formulation.
Patients with neuromuscular junctional disorders (eg, myasthenia gravis or Lambert-Eaton syndrome) should only receive BOTOX® treatment with caution. Patients with neuromuscular disorders may be at increased risk of clinically significant systemic effects including difficulty swallowing and breathing difficulties from typical doses of BOTOX®.
The most frequently reported side effects (3% to 10% of patients) following BOTOX® injection included injection-site pain and bleeding, non-underarm sweating, infection, inflammation of the throat, flu syndrome, headache, fever, neck or back pain, itching, and anxiety.
As with any injection, procedure-related injury could occur. An injection could result in localized infection, pain, inflammation, tenderness, swelling, erythema, and/or bleeding/bruising. Caution should be used in patients who have bleeding disorders or are taking anticoagulants. Needle-related pain and/or anxiety may result in vasovagal responses, eg, syncope, hypotension, etc. Care should also be taken when injecting near vulnerable anatomic structures. Reports of pneumothorax related to injection technique when injecting near the lung or pleura have been received.
Patients should be evaluated for potential causes of secondary hyperhidrosis (eg, hyperthyroidism) to avoid symptomatic treatment of hyperhidrosis without the diagnosis and/or treatment of the underlying disease.
The safety and effectiveness of BOTOX® for hyperhidrosis in other body areas have not been established. Weakness of hand muscles and blepharoptosis may occur in patients who receive BOTOX® for palmar hyperhidrosis and facial hyperhidrosis, respectively.
There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of BOTOX® in pregnant women. Because animal reproductive studies are not always predictive of human response, BOTOX® should be administered during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
In general, adverse events occur within the first week following injection of BOTOX® and while generally transient may have a duration of several months or, in rare cases, longer.
You should tell your healthcare provider if:
- You are allergic to BOTOX® product or anything in the preparation
- You have a neuromuscular disease such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, motor neuropathy, myasthenia gravis, or Lambert-Eaton syndrome
- You have an infection at the intended site of injection
- You are taking antibiotics or other drugs, such as curare, that may interfere with neuromuscular transmission
- You are being treated with any medications
BOTOX® is approved for the treatment of severe underarm sweating when antiperspirants don’t work.
Important Safety Information
You should not be treated if you have an infection at the injection site or are allergic to any ingredient in the formulation. Serious allergic reactions and cardiac events have been rarely reported. If you think you’re having unusual symptoms, such as difficulty swallowing, speaking, or breathing call your doctor immediately.
Side effects include injection-site pain and bleeding and non-underarm sweating, infection, inflammation of the throat, flu syndrome, headache, fever, neck or back pain, itching, and anxiety. Patients with certain neuromuscular disorders such as ALS, myasthenia gravis, or Lambert-Eaton syndrome may be at increased risk of serious side effects.
