Botulinum toxin, a neurotoxic protein more commonly known by its brand name Botox, has been in use for years to treat a variety of conditions. Essentially it targets muscle function and hyperactive nerves, which is why it has something of a localized “paralyzing” effect when used in medical treatments related to spasms. If the first things you thought of when seeing Botox were cosmetic procedures and fillers, you aren’t alone. For many years, Botox has been a wildly popular treatment for cosmetic issues ranging from wrinkle reduction to having more full looking features. But, that’s not the whole story.
Traditional uses of Botox
Botox has many medical uses as well. The same mechanisms that make Botox so effective for giving your face a more youthful appearance also treat symptoms of other conditions related to muscular issues. Even disorders like TMJ, some kinds of migraines or chronic tension headaches, and certain allergy symptoms all respond positively to Botox treatment. Blepharospasm, the name given to the condition where one’s eyelids involuntarily blink or spasm, is a condition commonly treated with Botox. Other spasm related ailments like facial ticks, voice issues related to a neurological condition, and other involuntary muscle movements respond well to Botox treatment. There is another condition that may not get much press, but is fairly common and you probably know someone who suffers with it, if you don’t yourself. That condition is hyperhidrosis.
Hyperhidrosis, the medical term for excessive sweating, can be caused by a lot of things. While excessive sweating is sometimes the symptom of a more serious illness, which is why you should talk to your doctor if you’re experiencing a sudden onset of it, it’s usually harmless. That is, it’s harmless from the perspective of excessive sweating being life threatening. But the embarrassment and frustration from this condition can be a real consequence of it. Depending on the severity, you can feel it’s actually disruptive to your life. It often affects the underarms, palms, soles, and forehead.
Botox for excessive sweating
It’s becoming more popular to use Botox to treat excessive sweating. This effective treatment for excessive sweating is being sought out more because of the relatively non-invasive procedure involved, success rate, and the length of time it lasts. While Botox is always a temporary solution to an issue, patients may find that they get upwards of five months of relief from their excessive sweating following injection treatment. While you’ll need to periodically be re-treated, subsequent treatments can extend the efficacy to anywhere from eight to twelve months.
While using Botox to treat your excessive sweating obviously isn’t as involved as undergoing a surgical procedure, it’s important to know what you’ll experience when you opt for this treatment. There is minimal discomfort involved, but people respond differently to sensations. At first, ice will be applied to the area being treated in order to numb the area and constrict the blood vessels, much like when ice is applied to an injury. Then a topical anesthetic will be applied to further reduce possible discomfort caused by the injections. Finally, you will undergo multiple injections depending on the site in order to make sure all of the sweat glands are treated. All in all, the treatment session is over in less than thirty minutes and you won’t need to miss any work due to downtime. The recovery process is essentially a few days of feeling tender at the injection site. With the first couple days, you’ll notice a partial relief of your sweating. By the end of the first week, you should see the full effectiveness of the Botox.
Insurance coverage
If you’ve been debating getting Botox treatment for your excessive sweating because of the potential costs involved, you’re not alone. It can be difficult to navigate the insurance situation when it comes to treatments like these. The good news is, more insurance companies are covering Botox treatments for excessive sweating. While every insurance plan is different, and you’ll need to check with your specific provider, there may be ways to receive discounted prices such as by going through the product manufacturers.
Conclusion
Are you tired of the embarrassment and discomfort caused by sweating through your clothes? Has your self-esteem been suffering because you feel like people are always taking notice of how often and how much you sweat? No one should experience feelings of low confidence or isolation because of their excessive sweating condition. It’s time to get your life back. If you’re interested in learning more about stopping your excessive sweating contact us today and set up an appointment with Dr. Michael Macdonald. He’ll go over your options with you and together you’ll come up with a plan to start feeling great again. You don’t need to feel anxiety about your condition any longer.