No More Sweat

A CBS 2 News Special Assignment

CBS 2 News' Linda Alvarez shows us there's "no sweat" in using botulism to prevent a common but embarrassing problem.

Special Assignment: No More Sweat aired Wednesday, June 17, 1998 at 11 p.m.

Some people are embarrassed by a serious problem called hyperhidrosis. It's a symptom that causes an excess amount of sweating.

But where bottles of anti-perspirants have failed, a different formula in a bottle now offers new hope -- and it's called Botox, said CBS.

Botox is a diluted form of botulism toxin, and at full strength it can be deadly. In fact, it was a much-feared agent in biological warfare because it paralyzes its victims in seconds. But according to CBS, if the toxin is diluted, it has many safe, medical uses.

These days Botox has been a popular way to prevent wrinkles and frown lines. When the solution is injected between the eyes and in the forehead, the paralyzing action it creates can also be used to ease serious face twitching and spasms.

But now when Botox is injected into the armpits, it can even prevent those dreaded wet circles on your clothes under your arms. When injected into the palms, Botox can also stop your hands from getting clammy and sweaty.

"Botox stops sweating by blocking the activation of the sweat ducts in the skin," Dermatologist Dr. Nicholas Lowe told CBS.

It only takes a very small amount of the solution for each treatment. In fact, numbing the skin before the injection takes longer than the actual treatment.

After an injection there is a little bruising, said CBS. But in 48 hours, the sweat glands in the injected area stops working.

"Botox, when used to reduce sweating, can last anywhere from six months and 12 months," said Lowe.

Botox patients say the treatment has given them renewed self-confidence but others think the whole process just doesn't sound worth it.

"Sounds pretty extreme," one person told CBS. "I wouldn't personally consider doing it."