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We sweat to regulate our body temperature as well as to detoxify our body. But sweating is helpful as long as it is normal. Excessive sweating or hyperhidrosis is an embarrassing condition in which a person sweats 3 to 4 times more than normal. Excessive sweating normally occurs in armpits, hands and feet, but it can affect any part of your body.
If you are also a victim of hyperhidrosis who is tired of using over the counter antiperspirants, Botox treatment may be helpful. Yes the same Botox that is used by the dermatologists and cosmetic plastic surgeons to improve cosmetic appearance by removing wrinkles and fine lines that gradually appear on your face and neck over time.
What exactly is Botox?
Botox is a neurotoxin that has been approved by the U.S Food and Drug Association (FDA) to treat a number of health conditions, from removing wrinkles to treating chronic migraines and controlling production of sweat by the sweat glands. Botox or botulinum toxin type A is a naturally occurring toxic protein released by the bacterium Clostridium Botulinum. It is the same toxin that is responsible for causing a life-threatening disease Botulism. However, when used in highly diluted form by experienced and board certified physicians it can help cure a number of neurological disorders.
How does Botox work?
Botox works by temporarily blocking transmission of nerve impulses from brain to sweat glands. When the glands do not receive signals from brain they automatically produce less sweat. The best thing about Botox is that unlike other medications used to treat hyperhidrosis, it reduces formation of sweat only in the treated areas, while the rest of the body continues to sweat normally. Moreover, these injections can be used to treat excessive sweating in any part of the body and the results are equally effective in men and women.
Are Botox effects permanent?
No the effects of Botox are not permanent. The effect of Hyperhidrosis Botox treatment lasts for 4 to 6 months. Doctors believe that Botox injections for excessive sweating can be repeated indefinitely once or twice a year.
What are the side effects of Botox?
Botox treatment is quite safe and effective; however, like any other medical procedure there are some complications associated with Hyperhidrosis Botox Treatment. A common side effect of caused by these injections is slight swelling or bruising at the injection site, which goes away at its own in 2 to 3 hours. Other side effects reported by the patients after getting Botulinum toxin type A injection include allergic reactions such as, itching, rash, redness, headache, neck pain and asthma like symptoms. In very rare cases the effect of drug may spread to other parts of the patient’s body. In this case the patients start showing botulism-like signs and symptoms, such as
If you notice any of these symptoms after receiving the treatment call your doctor or get medical help right away.
Effect of Botox on pregnant and feeding mothers:
Doctors generally recommend against use of Botox injections for pregnant or breast-feeding mothers, since the effects of the toxin on the baby are yet not known.
Choosing a clinician:
Be very careful when deciding a physician for administering Botox. Safety and effectiveness of Botox is directly related to the training and experience of the person administering the injection. Make sure the doctor you choose is highly skilled and board-certified for administering Botulinum toxin Type A, and also has a comprehensive knowledge of facial anatomy.