Hyperhidrosis treatment with botulinum toxin

Sweating is a normal way to cool the body. But when sweat pours even in cool weather and at rest, clothes show wet patches and you keep thinking about how to hide it, this is hyperhidrosis. It is not dangerous, but it noticeably lowers quality of life. Botox for sweating is one of the most effective treatments, and at UKRMED it is done in the cosmetology department.

Photo: Pittigrilli, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0

What hyperhidrosis is

Hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating beyond what the body needs for cooling. It is not just sweating a lot in the heat: it interferes with daily life regardless of temperature. It most often affects the armpits, but also the palms, feet and face.

Causes

• primary hyperhidrosis - occurs without another illness, often from a young age and sometimes in several family members; linked to overactive sweat glands;
• secondary hyperhidrosis - caused by another condition: hormonal changes, thyroid disease, diabetes, infections or some medicines.

That is why a secondary cause should be ruled out before treatment.

Which doctor treats it

If sweating starts suddenly or comes with weight loss, fever or night sweats, see a GP or endocrinologist first. Primary underarm sweating is treated by cosmetologists and dermatologists, including with botulinum toxin injections. UKRMED's cosmetology department includes Nataliia Tarhonska, periodontist and cosmetologist; please check who will perform your procedure when booking.

Botox for underarm sweating

Botulinum toxin temporarily blocks the nerve signals to sweat glands, so they stop producing excess sweat. The glands are not destroyed and the body's overall temperature control is not affected.

In a randomised trial (participants are assigned to groups by chance to keep the comparison fair) of patients with underarm hyperhidrosis, 94% responded 4 weeks after injections in the botulinum toxin group versus 36% on placebo (injections without the active substance), and 82% versus 21% at 16 weeks. The effect lasts several months, after which the procedure is repeated.

How it is done

1. Consultation. The doctor clarifies complaints and contraindications and assesses the area.
2. Injections. The medicine is injected with a fine needle in small doses across the area.
3. Afterwards. The effect develops over several days.

Contraindications

Pregnancy and breastfeeding, some neuromuscular disorders (such as myasthenia gravis, which causes muscle weakness), inflammation in the injection area and certain medicines. The doctor will go through the full list.

Aftercare

• do not rub or massage the area for a few hours;
• avoid baths, saunas and intense exercise on the day of the procedure;
• use antiperspirant as advised by the doctor.

Whether other areas such as palms or feet are treated, please ask at the consultation. Other uses are described on the botulinum toxin therapy page.

Price

Sources

1. Naumann M., Lowe N. J. Botulinum toxin type A in treatment of bilateral primary axillary hyperhidrosis: randomised, parallel group, double blind, placebo controlled trial. BMJ, 2001. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.323.7313.596
2. NHS. Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis). https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hyperhidrosis/