Botulinum Toxin (Botox) for Hyperhidrosis
Botulinum Toxin (Botox) is a neurotoxin made from the microbes that cause botulism (a kind of food poisoning). But don’t worry, it’s safe if used appropriately by a medical professional.
Botulinum Toxin (Botox) is most well known as a cosmetic treatment to smooth facial wrinkles by temporarily paralyzing muscles. Doctors also use Botulinum Toxin (Botox) to treat neuromuscular conditions like migraine, muscle spasms, and hyperhidrosis, a condition characterized by abnormal and excessive sweating.
You may be a candidate for Botulinum Toxin (Botox) if your sweating fails to improve with prescription antiperspirants. Botulinum Toxin (Botox) has been FDA-approved for people who sweat excessively from their armpits. It may also be used “off-label” to reduce sweating in other areas, such as the hands, feet, and face.
Description
What is Botox?
Botulinum Toxin (Botox) is a neurotoxin made from the microbes that cause botulism (a kind of food poisoning). But don’t worry, it’s safe if used appropriately by a medical professional.
Botulinum Toxin (Botox) is most well known as a cosmetic treatment to smooth facial wrinkles by temporarily paralyzing muscles. Doctors also use Botulinum Toxin (Botox) to treat neuromuscular conditions like migraine, muscle spasms, and hyperhidrosis, a condition characterized by abnormal and excessive sweating.
You may be a candidate for Botulinum Toxin (Botox) if your sweating fails to improve with prescription antiperspirants. Botulinum Toxin (Botox) has been FDA-approved for people who sweat excessively from their armpits. It may also be used “off-label” to reduce sweating in other areas, such as the hands, feet, and face.
How do Botulinum Toxin (Botox) injections work to treat sweating?
Botulinum Toxin (Botox) injections block the release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which binds with your sweat glands to signal the release of sweat.
Normally, your nervous system activates your sweat glands when your body temperature rises. This is how your body automatically cools itself. In people with hyperhidrosis, however, the nerves that signal the sweat glands are overactive.
When you receive Botulinum Toxin (Botox) injections directly into the area of your body that commonly sweats, your overactive nerves are essentially paralyzed. When your nerves can’t signal your sweat glands, you don’t sweat. However, Botulinum Toxin (Botox) only prevents sweating in the specific area where it’s injected.
