Botox is also a particularly effective treatment for focal hyperhidrosis.
Botox injections use botulinum toxin to block the nerve signals responsible for sweating, stopping the sweat glands from producing too much sweat.
People who sweat excessively often soak through their clothing or drip sweat. Regular antiperspirants don’t work well for those with this condition.
Botox injections are a new treatment option for people with hyperhidrosis. You may be a candidate for Botox if your sweating fails to improve with prescription antiperspirants. 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 forehead.
Where is Botox Used? (2)
Currently, Botox has only been approved for the treatment of underarm sweating. In studies (2), Botox was extremely effective in treating underarm sweating. Studies have found that Botox successfully treats sweaty palms in 80 to 90 percent of cases. However, the treatments don’t last quite as long as the underarm treatments. Studies also show that Botox works to treat forehead sweat. It can reduce sweating by 75 percent for about five months.
Researchers believe that Botox could help with sweating on the soles of the feet, however few studies have been done. Of particular concern is that injections in the feet are considerably more painful than other areas.
What are the risks and side effects?
Many studies have been done evaluating the safety of Botox. Most people tolerate it well. Possible side effects include:
- Pain or bruising at the injection site
- Headache
- Flu-like symptoms
- Droopy eyelid (for facial injections)
- Eye dryness or tearing (for facial injections)
Serious side effects of Botox injections are extremely rare.
References
https://www.healthline.com/health/botox-for-sweating#target-areas
https://www.derm.theclinics.com/article/S0733-8635%2814%2900080-1/abstract
