By sweating the body maintains its internal temperature. However, for some people, the body produces more perspiration than it needs to stay cool. This is known as hyperhidrosis. Treatment for this condition can be effectively achieved with Botox injections, which can reduce excessive sweating problems. It is unknown what causes hyperhidrosis. Botox helps provide a safe solution to an uncomfortable and at times an embarrassing problem.
How Does Botox Treat Hyperhidrosis?
Botox treats hyperhidrosis in almost the same way it smoothes out fine lines and wrinkles on the face and relieves headache pain. Botox works by blocking the chemical signals sent from the nerves that control sweating. The sweat glands are unable to receive signals from the nerves, thus sweating stops. Botox has proven to be a useful means for stopping sweating problems because of its effectiveness in blocking neural signals.
Candidates for Botox Hyperhidrosis Treatment
Candidates for hyperhidrosis treatment with Botox experience severe foot, palm or underarm sweating that impacts their quality of life. The candidates are physically and emotionally healthy with reasonable expectations about the outcome of treatment. They understand the treatment and know that, though safe, there are some risks involved with using Botox injections to treat excessive sweating problems.
What to Expect After Botox Treatment for Underarm Sweating
Treatment for hyperhidrosis with Botox takes 10 to 20 minutes and can be performed in the doctor’s office. You can continue your daily activities immediately after treatment. Although, intense exercise should be avoided for 24 hours after treatment. Within several weeks of receiving Botox injections there will be a noticeable reduction of underarm sweating. If some sweat glands are missed in the initial treatment, sweating may occur.
Risk and Benefits of Botox Treatment for Sweating Problems
The best benefit in receiving treatment for hyperhidrosis with Botox is relief from excessive sweating.
The risks in treating excessive seating problem with Botox are minimal. Botox is no different than other treatments that offer the potential for complications. However, for most people actual side effects do not occur or are tolerable.
Botox injection results are temporary and treatment has to be repeated every few months to maintain the effects.
Although Botox can be used to treat palm sweating (palmar hyperhidrosis), it is often less and effective and can be rather painful. However, this should not discourage an individual from seeking relief. One can seek pain relief during treatment by anesthesia, nerve blocks, ice and pressure. Treatment with Botox has produced some success in treating instances of severe palm sweating.
Cost of Botox Treatment for Hyperhidrosis
The cost of hyperhidrosis treatment with Botox will vary from doctor to doctor but can cost up to $2000 per treatment. Regrettably, many insurance companies consider hyperhidrosis treatment to be an elective procedure and will not pay. Although, some insurance companies are going against this trend and starting to cover the procedure if prescribed by a doctor.
