Treatment of facial chromhidrosis with botulinum toxin type A

Hyperhidrosis is an idiopathic condition of exaggerated sweat production by the eccrine glands that affects approximately 1% of the population. There are many viable therapeutic options and the use of botulinum toxin has become an important treatment option and received FDA approval for this disorder in July 2004. The other forms of aberrant sweating; bromhidrosis (malodorous) and chromhidrosis (pigmented) are much rarer and more recalcitrant to treatment.

This is the first case report of dark-colored facial sweat in a young woman that was adequately controlled with botulinum toxin.

Chromhidrosis is an unusual clinical entity with an ill-defined glandular etiology. The successful response to botulinum toxin supports the eccrine gland as a source of the sweat production and, furthermore, that the administration of this toxin should be considered as a form of therapy.