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Karen Klickmann (847) 330-0101, ext. 341 [email protected]
BOTULINUM TOXIN: NO WRINKLES! NO SWEAT!
NEW YORK, NY (October 28, 1998) - Excessive sweating of the hands is more than just a social nuisance. Hyperhidrosis is a disorder of excessive sweating that involves the eccrine sweat glands and can cause considerable emotional and social stigma.
Patients afflicted with hyperhidrosis can routinely soak through clothing in a matter of minutes, and resort to pads, shields, absorbent tissues and frequent changes of clothing to cope with the disorder. Clothing is quickly stained, ruined, and thousands of dollars can be spent on dry cleaning and clothing replacement. A new technique utilizing botulinum toxin type A is now successfully being administered to counter this condition.
Botulinum toxin type A is a purified form of one of the most potent toxins known to man. In high doses, it can cause the clinical disease botulism. However, in carefully administered low doses, it is also very useful in treating hyperkinetic facial lines. Even in low doses, it is a powerful chemical that can paralyze muscles for prolonged periods of time.
Speaking today at the American Academy of Dermatology's Derm Update '98, Richard G. Glogau, MD, Clinical Professor of Dermatology at University of California, San Francisco, CA, discussed a new technique which has been helping those who suffer from excessive sweating. Dr. Glogau injects a highly diluted form of the botulinum toxin into the underarm skin or skin on the palms and soles of the hand. There it paralyzes the sweat glands of the skin which are responsible for excessive perspiration.
"A single treatment session of botulinum toxin injected directly into the axillary and/or palmar or plantar skin can provide months of relief to patients who have tried antiperspirants, oral medications, and even surgical approaches to controlling severe sweating," Dr. Glogau said. The injections can be performed in an office setting and are easily tolerated without anesthesia. It is believed that they can be repeated indefinitely once or twice a year to maintain dryness.
The American Academy of Dermatology is the largest medical society representing physicians who specialize in treating hair, skin and nail conditions.
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REFERENCE NOTE: Glogau, R.G., M.D.; Botulinum A Neurotoxin for Axillary Hyperhidrosis, Dermatologic Surgery, August 1998, pp. 817-819.
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