Botox for Excessive Sweating
Surely you have heard of Botox. Everyone from your next door neighbor to 40-something celebrities get these injections to erase wrinkles. But did you know that Botox injections can help ease Hyperhidrosis?
In 2004, the FDA approved Botox as a treatment for Axillary Hyperhidrosis. Since that time, “getting Botox” for HH has become a viable option for people dealing with excessive sweating. Most commonly, people have the injections in the underarm region. There are many dermatologists who will give treatments in the palms and soles, but those treatment areas are said to be painful and the effects allegedly wear off sooner.
**UPDATE** Administering Botox in the hands is quickly becoming more popular, and patients seem to be reacting well. See the video about this procedure here.
The procedure for the underarm area involves 12-15 injections with a fine gauge needle, using a local anasthetic. The drug works by “relaxing” the nerves at the injection site that cause the impulse to sweat. The International Hyperhidrosis Society (IHHS) explains it clearly: “Botulinum toxin is a natural, purified protein with the ability to temporarily block the secretion of the chemical in the nervous system that is responsible for ‘turning on’ the body’s sweat glands. By blocking, or interrupting, the chemical messenger, botulinum toxin ‘turns off’ sweating at the area where it has been injected.”
Quick Answers to the most Obvious Questions:
- Does Botox Work for Hyperhidrosis? Yes. Anecdotally, it seems to have the most consistent rate of success of any other treatment for HH (yes, even ETS, because of the Compensatory Sweating issue).
- How Long Is It Effective? On average, 6 months. It varies by individual– but 6 months is the answer I have seen most often. When it wears off, you simply get another treatment.
- Does it Hurt and How Long Does it Take? If your dermatologist is experienced in this particular area, it should only take about 15 minutes. A local anasthetic is used, but it can be “uncomfortable”. If your treatment is for the soles or palms, it can be painful. The doctor allegedly can use stronger local anasthetics, though. Recovery from the procedure is normally immediate; there can be a bit of bleeding at the injection site(s).
- What Does it Cost? Well, it’s expensive. I have seen costs that range from $1,000-$2,500. Geographically, rates for all medical services range widely.
- Does Insurance Cover Botox Treatments? Yes, often. Hyperhidrosis finally seems to be recognized more and more as the MEDICAL DISORDER that it is. Check with your insurance company before having any treatments! Sometimes they will cover it but only after you have tried other, less expensive treatments.
- Are There Side Effects? There has been some Compensatory Sweating noted, but it seems that the CS experienced from Botox treatments tends to be less extensive than the CS resulting from ETS (Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy surgery). There are many other general side effects from Botox; be SURE to read what they are at BotoxSevereSweating.com.
The official website for Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA) in which treatment for Hyperhidrosis is addressed is BotoxSevereSweating.com. This site only discusses treatment for Axillary Hyperhidrosis and does not mention treatment for Palmar or Plantar Hyperhidrosis. Sponsered by parent company Allergan, this site does a good job of explaining how the drug works, how long the procedure should take, and it (by law) discloses every single possible side effect. Reading the laundry list of possible side effects is, quite honestly, sobering. I HIGHLY recommend that you read it carefully, though. If you have any other health issues that affect your muscles, especially, read up on the side effects and disclose anything relevant to the dermatologist who would administer your injections.
If you are seriously considering having Botox injections for your HH, please do the following:
1. Read and understand all possible side effects.
2. Contact your insurance company and find out if they will cover your treatments. If they tell you they will, get it in writing. Also, ask for a list of dermatologists in your area that are “in the network”.
3. Make sure the doctor you choose is experienced in treating Hyperhidrosis patients. If the doctor is unfamiliar with treating the underarm, palmar, or plantar area, ask yourself if you want to be a guinea pig.
Whatever you decide to do, just be sure you have all the information you need. Any medical procedure has inherent risks. Know what they are and make your decision carefully. Good luck!
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