Treatment of severe axillary Hyperhidrosis with Botulinum toxin A

Abstract

Background: Severe axillary hyperhidrosis causes considerable emotional stress to individuals affected with this condition. Existing topical and surgical therapies are either ineffective or associated with unacceptable morbidity and sequelae. Objective: In this study we attempted to determine the effect of botulinum toxin A (Dysport) in the treatment of axillary hyperhidrosis. Patients and Methods: After visualization of hyperhidrosis using the iodine-starch test, ten patients with axillary hyperhidrosis underwent intradermal injection with 125 units of Dysport in the axillary skin bilaterally. Patients were observed for 7 months after treatment. Results: The treatment was well tolerated without side effects. All patients experienced relatively complete anhidrosis of the axillary skin after about one week for periods lasting from 4 to 7 months. Conclusion: Botulinum-A toxin may offer a fast, safe, and highly effective therapeutic option for severe hyperhidrosis.