Botox to Control Excessive Underarm Sweating - An Alternative Treatment for Hyperhidrosis

Botulinum Toxin Type A, popularly known as Botox, is used to minimize wrinkles. It is also being used to treat other medical conditions including excessive sweating. This treatment lasts for about 6 or more months depending on each case.

Hyperhidrosis, which is a medical term used for excessive sweating, affects millions of people across the globe. This profuse perspiration causes discomfort, inconvenience, embarrassment, and emotional stress. Other negative psychological effects have also been observed on the patient.

What is Botox?
Botox (Botulinum Toxin Type A) is a purified protein produced by Clostridium botulinum bacterium. It reduces the activity of the muscles that cause those frown lines between the brows to form over time. It is a simple, nonsurgical treatment used to smoothen moderate to severe wrinkles in certain areas of the face on a temporary basis. People aged 18-65 can avail of this treatment.

Recent discovery has made Botox an effective treatment for profuse sweating. In 2004, Botox was approved by the FDA for treatment of axillary hyperhidrosis. It is useful for conditions that can't be resolved with antiperspirants or prescription creams. Botox injection has no downtime and is preferred by most celebrities. But like most medicines, it has adverse effects and may not be suitable for some people with other medical conditions.

Study
A 3-year study has been conducted by researchers to examine the effectiveness, safety and cost of repeated Botox injections on people experiencing this disorder as well as the impact of the treatment on daily living. The follow-up study shows that Botox proved to be effective with repeated treatment.

There was also positive effect on the life of the patients after the treatment. Improvement was observed in the following areas: the ability to perform current work activities, emotional concerns, interpersonal and social situation.

Results
The treatment temporarily blocks the chemical signals from the nerves that stimulate sweat glands. When sweat glands don't receive the signals of chemicals, it follows that the excessive sweating would stop.
->Read More...