Excessive Sweating (Hyperhidrosis)
Austin has its share of humid summer weather which results in the whole city bathed in a blanket of sweat. However, excessive sweating is a serious and real medical condition affecting 7.8 million people in the United States. Overactive sweat glands can limit clothing choices, ruin fabrics, run up dry cleaning bills and cause embarrassment in social situations. Excessive sweating occurs in different parts of the body including underarms, palms of the hand, soles of the feet, or scalp area. Many patients have tried using clinical strength antiperspirants to stop sweat, but have found them to be ineffective.
For patients who have failed to control excessive sweating with topical agents, there is a new treatment option. Since 2004, the FDA has approved Botox ® as a safe and effective treatment for excessive underarm sweat. Botox® acts by blocking the release of the chemical neurotransmitter (acetylcholine) that causes your glands to sweat.
How It Works
The treatment is performed in Dr. Zimmet’s office. First, the doctor applies a topical analgesic to the area being treated. Then, a dye is used to mark locations where sweating is greatest. Using a micro-needle, a small series of Botox ® injections are made. Depending on the size of the affected area, patients can expect the treatment to last approximately 15 minutes. Best of all, there is no recovery or downtime after Botox ® treatment for excessive perspiration. A few patients experience temporary soreness in the treatment area.
The Results
Following the first treatment, a majority of patients see a significant reduction in sweating within a couple of weeks. The injections are usually effective for a period of six to seven months, after which time repeat treatments are recommended to receive continued benefits.
FAQs
Are Botox ® treatments for excessive sweating covered by insurance?
Botox ® may be covered by your insurance depending on your provider and plan. We recommend patients contact their insurance provider to check on benefit coverage.
Will I stop sweating everywhere?
No, sweating is reduced only in the area where Botox ® is injected. Other parts of your body will continue to produce sweat normally.
What is hyperhidrosis?
Hyperhidrosis is a condition of excessive sweating. Most commonly this involves the axilla (armpits) or palms and/or soles. Hyperhidrosis can significantly affect quality of life.
What are treatment options for excessive sweating?
Dr. Zimmet’s patients have seen good success using Botox to control excessive sweating. This has also been demonstrated in several medical studies. The benefit from Botox® often lasts 6 months or more. An alternative treatment option is the application of aluminum chloride (Drysol®), a medication available by prescription. Devices are available (iontophoresis) which may help block the excess sweating in some people, though we have not seen great success with this method . For the axillae (armpits), surgery has been described to remove the skin in the armpits. Liposuction has been used to destroy the sweat glands. Finally, surgery (sympathectomy) to destroy the nerves that supply the sweat glands may be a useful permanent solution in some patients.
Are there any side effects?
Botox® has been used for over many years, in thousands of patients and has an excellent safety record. As with any treatment, side effects can occur. Reported side effects have included bruising, swelling and transient headache. Ptosis, a drooping of the eyelid and/or eyebrow, occurs in 1-2% of patients and generally resolves within 2 weeks. Occasionally patients may observe more effect on one side than another, causing an asymmetrical appearance. Strabismus, a weakening of the eye muscles, is a temporary side effect that has been reported. Although this is a transient reaction, it could make it unsafe for you to drive. This is rare in the doses used for wrinkle treatment. Some patients develop resistance to the treatment. More serious side effects have been reported rarely, primarily when used to treat conditions that require large doses. However, this can sometime lead to excessive sweating at other sites.
