Excessive sweating can be a problem with the palms of the hands, feet and the underarms.  When serious enough, this condition (called hyperhidrosis) can impact one’s social activities and necessitate treatment. Some traditional treatments for excessive sweating include oral medications, topical preparations containing aluminum chloride, surgery and Iontophoresis which involves the use of electrical currents.  A more recent treatment for hyperhidrosis is the use of Botox.  

Many people with hyperhidrosis are not aware just how effective Botox can be for limiting excessive sweating.  They only think of Botox as a way to smooth out frown lines.  Botox is an FDA approved treatment for hyperhidrosis and works by having an effect on the muscle fibers of the sweat glands thereby eliminating or dramatically decreasing the amount of sweating.  The treatment typically involves 50 units of Botox to each underarm and takes less than twenty minutes.  Discomfort is easily managed by ice packs since the needles utilized are extremely small.  

Although Botox treatments for hyperhidrosis to the underarms may be quite an expense initially, the effects last anywhere from six to nine months.  For those preparing for a special event, this treatment is an excellent option to avoid a potentially embaraasing situation.  For many, the idea of not having to struggle with excessive sweating on a daily basis makes Botox a good long-term investment.

Lori Haney, RN, MEP-C

Certified Medical Laser Safety Officer