Excessive sweating also known as “hyperhidrosis” is a source of extreme social and work place embarrassment for millions of people. While underarm sweating occurs in everyone, 1% of the population experience excessive armpit sweating or “axillary hyperhidrosis” to such a degree that they may have to change their shirt several times a day or avoid certain types of clothing and fabrics altogether.

Excessive underarm sweating may also be associated with excessively sweaty palms and even facial flushing. Once medical causes of excessive sweating have been excluded, functional treatment options can be discussed.

While patients often start with a variety of herbal remedies, acupuncture, stress and anxiety reduction techniques, topical antiperspirants with aluminum chloride and oral medications to control their problem, the majority of patients suffering with severe axillary hyperhidrosis require more aggressive treatment to control their sweating.

For patients who do not want the risks associated with surgery or the cumbersome process of iontophoresis (using an electrical current to drive salt crystals into the skin to temporarily block the sweat glands), BOTOX® injections may be another option.

BOTOX® is FDA approved for the treatment of severe primary axillary hyperhidrosis which is excessive underarm sweating without a medical cause. BOTOX® works by blocking the release of a chemical from the nerve ending that causes sweating. By interfering with the release of this neurotransmitter a reduction in the sweat production can be achieved.

Prior to your treatment with BOTOX®, we ask that you avoid using any aluminum chloride containing antiperspirants for 1 week as this may interfere with the skin test we perform in the office to map out your areas of excessive sweating.

After your skin test, a series of small injections of BOTOX® are performed into the affected areas using a tiny micro-needle.

Unfortunately, BOTOX® injections are a temporary solution with effects lasting from four to six months. Repeat injections will be required two or three times a year to maintain results.

Although well tolerated by most patients, potential rare side effects from BOTOX® include temporary muscle paralysis. Most patients report the discomfort from injections to be mild and alleviated by the application of ice and/or topical numbing cream prior to treatment.

Patients who are not candidates for BOTOX® therapy include patients with neuromuscular disorders like myasthenia gravis, who are pregnant or breastfeeding, have medical problems that cause hyperhidrosis or are taking medications that may interfere with neuromuscular transmission.

Please call our office for more information and to arrange an appointment.