Excessive Sweating - Is Botox The Answer?

Botox. For many people, the name conjures up images of improbably smooth-skinned celebrities

, desperate for more youthful skin. It has become the cosmetic treatment of choice for many of the rich and famous. But the effects of Botox are not purely cosmetic. It is becoming increasingly popular in medical circles. Botox is becoming the answer to issues far more serious than a few frown lines.

One of the most notable new uses of Botox is in treating excessive sweating, or hyperhidrosis. For this treatment, the local area is injected with Botox.g. armpit) where it reacts with the nervous system to effectively 'turn off' the body's sweat glands. For sufferers of excessive sweating, this sounds like a miracle cure. But if you are considering Botox injections as an answer to your excessive sweating problems there are probably only two things you want to know: Does it work? And is it safe?

Well, firstly, the results of Botox treatments for hyperhidrosis seem to be good news. In one clinical study involving 322 patients with severe underarm sweating, 81% of the patients receiving botulinum toxin injections achieved a greater than 50% reduction in sweating. Also, half of those involved expererienced relief from their excessive sweating for a minimum of 201 days - nearly 7 months according to SweatHelp.org.

As for the issue of safety, according to the International Hyperhidrosis Society (one of the more reputable excessive sweating resources), Botox was approved by the US Food & Drug Administration in 2004, as a treatment for underarm hyperhidrosis. The IHS states: "BOTOX is produced by Allergan, Inc., from California, and has received most of the scrutiny of all the botulinum toxin brands. BOTOX has been available for over a decade and has been used to treat more than 1 million patients with various conditions, including spasticity and movement disorders. With FDA approval, the United States joins more than 20 other countries that have already approved the use of BOTOX for excessive sweating."

They further report Botox injections to be an effective and successful treatment for excessive sweating, when antiperspirants have had little or no success. The treatment itself can be a little uncomfortable though i.e. the injections, it looks to be a treatment with promise and increasing popularity. More importantly, though, is their assessment that it is safe.

However, there is still reasonable cause for concern, or at least caution. The protein from which Botox is produced is actually highly toxic. But given the extent of testing and its increasing use in the medical world, it would appear that this is a managed risk. Since there is the potential for harm if used incorrectly, it is essential that you seek only reputable medical guidance - if possible a doctor well-trained specifically in the treatment of excessive sweating. (The IHS has a Physician Finder tool on their website to ensure you get safest treatment form only reputable doctors.)

It is also worth noting that the treatment is not permanent. You will probably need ongoing treatments as the effects do wear off eventually (The treatment is usually effective for between 7 & 16 months.) The cost implications of this therefore need to be taken into account.

For those who are desperate to find relief from their excessive sweating, Botox could therefore be the right choice. It appears to be effective and given the increasing medical uses and government approval, it is regarded as safe. Of course only you can decide it if is right for you.

by: Matthew Johnson

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