Botox Against Excessive Sweating

Do they call you skunk?

Do tons of antiperspirants not work?

In this case you could chase away the pit stains with ... botox.

Botox, the trade name for Botulinum toxin, is a neurotoxic protein found in the bacterium Clostridium botulinum.

It is one of the most poisonous naturally occurring chemicals in the world, but used in minute doses it can treat muscle spasms and is most commonly used in cosmetics to smooth out facial wrinkles by paralyzing the muscles that cause them.

Botox has also applications in the treatment of migraine headaches, uncontrollable blinking, crossed eyes, some pain disorders and several disorders that cause repeated muscle twitching. Researches made in the last years have added excessive sweating, or hyperhidrosis to this list.

Usually, abundant sweating is used by the body to cool itself in hot environments or during physical effort but also it can be a physiological reaction in certain emotional states, like nervousness. Still, there are people with excessive sweating independent of these factors, an uncomfortable condition physically and socially.

Roughly 1 % of the population, both men and women, suffer from this condition and the most affected areas are under the arms and on the palms and feet.

Antiperspirants and pills have only a temporary effect, not to mention side effects like dry mouth and eyes. Sympathectomy is a solution: its' a surgery severing the nerves of the sweat glands, which remain inactive.

Botox acts by blocking the neurotransmitter that activates the sweat glands, essentially turning them off. This 8 months treatment obtained in 2004 the permission of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and consists in several injections in the armpits.

"This is a popular treatment at this time of year for brides and grooms, as well as before prom or other events involving formal wear, for people who experience excessive sweating that can be a source of embarrassment or ruin expensive clothing," said Erin Welch, a cosmetic dermatologist at the University of Texas Southwestern.