Don't Sweat It: Treatment of Adolescent Hyperhidrosis with Botulinum Toxin

Primary focal hyperhidrosis (PFH) affects almost 3% of the U.S. population, and many patients have a positive family history. PFH commonly begins in childhood but is little studied in children. Botulinum toxin A (BTXA) is approved for treating axillary hyperhidrosis in patients 18 and older.

To evaluate the effectiveness of BTXA for adolescent PFH, investigators recruited 35 patients age 12 through 16 years with moderate to severe PFH; 21 had palmar and 14 had axillary PFH. Patients received BTXA (10–15 injections of 50 units per axilla or 20–30 injections of 100 units per palm), with topical cryo-spray anesthetic. Quality-of-life and social isolation scores were assessed at baseline and at 6, 9, and 12 months after treatment. Both indices d…