BOTULINUM TOXIN  INJECTIONS FOR EXCESSIVE SWEATING

Dr. S. Kraft

Excessive Sweating

     A common and embarrassing social problem is excess sweating that leads to staining of the underarms of shirts and blouses.  Excess sweat can also occur on the palms of the hands, and on the trunk of the body.  Now there is an effective long-term treatment for this condition.

Botulinum Toxin Injections

     The product form of botulinum toxin approved for use in Canada is Botox^TM , licensed by Allergan Inc., which is the same product that relaxes muscles.  It has been used in medicine since 1978.  It was originally approved for treating eye muscle disorders, such as crossed eyes, and for stopping uncontrolled blinking that is seen in some neurologic diseases such as blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm.  In recent years it has been found to be very effective in smoothing out facial wrinkles and frown lines caused by excessive facial muscle activity.

     A series of injections of tiny amounts of Botox^TM into the skin in the armpits can stop the sweating in this area and thus prevent staining of clothing.  A similar series of injections into the palms can also reduce sweating in the hand.  It works by shutting down the glands that produce sweat.  This treatment is effective for several months, so that antiperspirants may not be needed in the armpits.  However, it does not alter the skin glands that produce odours, so deodorants may still be required.

Treating the Skin with Botulinum Toxin

     Treatment has to planned for each patient on an individual basis.  It is important for the doctor to discuss the objectives and risks of treatment with the patient before it is given.  The drug should only be used by a doctor trained to use the drug.

     Botox^TM begins to act 2 or 3 days after it is injected and reaches its peak effect 7 to 10 days later. The drug wears off after 4 to 6 months, after which time the sweat glands gradually recover.  Thus, most patients require treatment two (or occasionally three) times per year to maintain the improvement.  For this reason, it is important for the doctor to check the result 2 or 3 weeks after treatment and to be sure there have been no side effects from the treatment. 

     There are no guarantees that a patient will respond to the treatment, although the response rate is over 95 per-cent.

Side Effects

     There can be discomfort ("burning sensation") at the sites of the injections.  This wears off within 24 to 48 hours.  If the injections are given too deep, there can be can occasionally be a small bruise that fades within a few days. 

Drug Reactions

     There are very few reports of mild allergic reactions to Botox.  The drug should not be given during pregnancy or when a woman is breast-feeding, as its effect on the fetus or infant is not known.  It should not be given to anyone with a known neuro-muscular disease such as myasthenia or muscular dystrophy.

About Dr.  Stephen Kraft

     Dr. Kraft is one of the most experienced users of Botox in Canada.  He was the first physician in Ontario (in 1985) and one of the first three in Canada authorized to use it.  He has used Botox for treatment of eye muscles and spasms of the facial muscles in hundreds of patients for over 28 years, and he has used it for cosmetic purposes for several years.  He has authored or co-authored more than a dozen publications on the use of Botox in several widely-read journals.  Since 1984 he has lectured on the uses of this agent to a wide variety of practitioners including ophthalmologists, family physicians, optometrists, neurologists,  and allied health personnel. He is a staff surgeon at the Toronto Western Hospital, a division of the University Health Network in Toronto.

For free consultations, Dr. Kraft can be reached at:

Health First Medical Centre, Richmond Hill

289-553-7711                 

Main Office 

416-813-6123