Excessive sweating, also known as hyperhidrosis, is a medical condition that affects numerous Americans. Most patients complain of sweating of the underarms, hands, feet, or a combination of these. Milder treatment with topical solutions or oral medications are typically tried first. If these agents are not helpful, Botox injections of the area are often used before resorting to more radical procedures, such as surgery. No matter what the treatment, we can help you regain confidence for your next handshake or for the next time you must raise your arms.
What is the procedure like?
On the day of your procedure, Dr. Brown cleans the area and performs
an “iodine starch test” to see exactly where the sweating
is coming from. She will then inject the Botox through many tiny
injections. In the underarms, these injections are tolerated well
with minimal pain. For treatment of the hands or feet, methods
of topical anesthesia are required to help control the pain. Of
course, Dr. Brown will want to evaluate you and treat you appropriately
before doing the procedure. We can discuss the Botox procedure
and different treatment options at the time of your appointment.
I thought that Botox was only for wrinkles. How
does it work on sweating?
Botox temporarily blocks the chemical signals that are released
by nerves trying to stimulate the sweat glands to work. If these
messenger chemicals are blocked, the sweating no longer occurs.
How
soon does it work?
Most patients start to notice improvement within several days,
but it may take up to several weeks for optimal improvement.
How long does it last?
Although every patient is different, you may see improvement in
sweating that lasts from 6-12 months before injections must be
repeated again.
Does Botox work for sweating?
In clinical studies, 81% of patients treated with Botox experienced
at least a 50% reduction in sweating. As with every treatment,
results will vary among patients.
Will my insurance cover the cost
of Botox injections?
Dr. Brown’s staff works closely with insurance companies
to seek insurance reimbursement for you and your procedure. You
can also call the Reimbursement Hotline set up by the makers of
Botox at 1-800-530-6680 to directly find out if Botox is covered
under your plan.
Where can I find more information?
www.BotoxSevereSweating.com
www.SweatHelp.com
(The International Hyperhidrosis Society)