Excessive uncontrollable perspiration, called "hyperhidrosis,"? happens in about 1% of the population.  The sweating can occur in the hands, face, underarms, and forehead.  Axillary hyperhidrosis is the type that occurs in the underarm area. 

Recent long-term studies have shown that persons suffering from axillary hyperhidrosis find a safe treatment option with Botox injections.  The FDA has approved Botox in treating this type of severe underarm sweating when it cannot be stemmed with topical or other medications.

The nervous system of people with hyperhidrosis is typically overactive.  This overactivity produces the excessive sweating response.  Excessive sweating can be detrimental in many ways, but typically causes mostly social and work related problems.

Botox treatments in the underarm area have been shown to produce low side effects and reduce sweating for 6 months to 2 years.  The Botox injections reduce overactivity of the nervous system in the underarm area.  The treatment usually results in a marked reduction in sweat production.

Botox treatments for hyperhidrosis consist of about 15-20 injections into the underarm.  Repeated treatments are required, and their frequency depends on how the patient's sweating reacts to the Botox.  Typical injections occur every 6 or 8 months. 

Axillary Botox injections are fairly expensive.  They generally run in the thousand to couple of thousand-dollar range per treatment.  Some of the cost may be deferred with insurance.  The injections tend to be somewhat painful as well.

The costs and pain associated with axillary Botox injections have not decreased the willingness of patients in undergoing this type of treatment, however.  Hyperhidrosis sufferers are typically consumed with their condition.  Excessive sweating can lead to a variety of medical and social problems.  An effective treatment is usually attractive, no matter the costs involved.

Hyperhidrosis also occurs in the face and hands.  Patients with this type of excessive sweating tend to eschew Botox injections.  Multiple injections into the face or hand can be painful.  Botox injections have also had some percentage of side effects in palmar injections, which may include hand muscle paralysis (always temporary).

Other side effects, which are less common in Botox injections for hyperhidrosis, include anxiety, pain, hemorrhage, flu-like symptoms, headache, itching, fever, or sweating in other parts of the body.  Patients should also be examined for the cause of their excessive sweating, which may be the result of a more serious ailment and then Botox treatment may not be the best option.

With all medical treatments of this sort, make sure and discuss all concerns with your board-certified plastic surgeon before undergoing Botox injections for hyperhidrosis.