BOTOX® Cosmetic is a derivative of the deadly botulism toxin but in small quantities
it is safe. It is produced from the spore forming bacillus Clostridium botulinum it acts as an inhibitor for the release of the neurotransmitter that causes sweat production. Because eccrine glands are innervated by cholinergic sympathetic fibers and the pathophysiology of hyperhidrosis suggests that hypersecretion is mostly the result of over stimulated eccrine glands. By interfering with the release of this neurotransmitter a reduction in the sweat production can be achieved. BOTOX® Cosmetic is approved for the treatment of hyperhidrosis in 13 approved. In the United States it is approved for the treatment of severe primary axillary hyperhidrosis. BOTOX® Cosmetic is used by many Physicians to reduce wrinkling of the skin. BOTOX® Cosmetic is injected using a tiny micro-needle and a very small amount of BOTOX® Cosmetic into the affected area and blocks impulses from the nerve to the tiny facial muscles that are related to expression lines. BOTOX® Cosmetic relaxes the muscles so they do not contract.
Some Physicians use BOTOX® Cosmetic to reduce sweating and make a series of small
injections that paralyze the nerves that stimulate the sweat glands. Unfortunately, BOTOX® Cosmetic injections are a temporary solution – painful and expensive – and the effects only last from four to six months. You will need to have the injections about two or three times a year.
Patients with Palmar Hyperhidrosis who tried the BOTOX® Cosmetic injections were generally speaking unhappy with the treatment because of the pain and the cost involved. Some of them also had to be put under general anesthesia due to the intense pain caused by the injections into the palmar areas. Still if a patient wants to try BOTOX® Cosmetic injections then any dermatologist who is familiar with BOTOX® Cosmetic injections can do it.
Myobloc is another variant of the botulinum toxin. Basically it is the same as Botox but it comes in a different concentration and the final action is exactly the same as with Botox. There might be some differences in price but this information can be obtained from the treating physician.
Side Effects of Botox:
Side effects from the injection of BOTOX® Cosmetic can be pain, discomfort and temporary muscle paralysis. Contraindication for BOTOX® Cosmetic therapy include neuromuscular disorders such as myasthenia gravis, pregnancy and lactation, organic causes of hyperhidrosis, and medications that may interfere with neuromuscular transmission.
BOTOX® Cosmetic injections could be applied to localized areas of excessive sweating,
but they are not effective in cases of palmer or facial hyperhidrosis.
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