Injectable botulinum toxin as a treatment for plantar hyperhidrosis: a case study.

Abstract

Hyperhidrosis is defined as excessive and uncontrollable sweating due to overactivity of the eccrine sweat glands. The first line of treatment for plantar hyperhidrosis consists of conservative therapies such as topical solutions (ie, antiperspirant applications and aluminum chloride preparations) and iontophoresis. When the patient has failed these standard treatments, the other available medical options are rather limited and not well tolerated. Botulinum toxin type A (Botox, Allergan Inc, Irvine, California) is a purified neurotoxin complex approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2004 for multiple medical conditions, including severe primary axillary hyperhidrosis that failed conservative topical therapies. Few recent clinical studies have suggested that botulinum toxin is effective in the treatment of plantar hyperhidrosis. In this case study, two patients received intradermal injections of botulinum toxin type A into the plantar aspect of both feet. A 3-month follow-up evaluated the efficacy of botulinum toxin type A by subjectively assessing the amount of residual sweating. In these two patients, botulinum toxin type A was an effective and safe treatment for plantar hyperhidrosis.

• Authors: Tracey C Vlahovic, S Patrick Dunn, Jill C Blau, Caroline Gauthier
• Journal: Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association (J Am Podiatr Med Assoc) 2008 Mar-Apr Vol. 98 Issue 2 Pg. 156-9 ISSN: 8750-7315 [Print] United States
• PMID: 18347128 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Neuromuscular Agents
• Botulinum Toxins, Type A

Topics

• Adult
• Botulinum Toxins, Type A (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Female
• Foot Diseases (drug therapy)
• Humans
• Hyperhidrosis (drug therapy)
• Injections, Intradermal
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Neuromuscular Agents (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)