No compensatory sweating after botulinum toxin treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis

Primary focal hyperhidrosis is caused by excessive secretion by eccrine sweat glands, usually at the palms, soles and axillae. The underlying mechanism is unclear. In recent years botulinum toxin A has emerged as a useful treatment. Compensatory sweating, which is a major problem in many patients who have undergone transthoracic endoscopic sympathectomy for hyperhidrosis, has only rarely been reported after botulinum toxin. However, this potential side-effect of botulinum toxin treatment has not been systematically examined.

To investigate if treatment with botulinum toxin A in hyperhidrotic hands may cause compensatory sweating at other skin locations.

In 17 patients with a history of palmar hyperhidrosis repeated measurements of evaporation were made before and up to 6 months after treatment of the hands with botulinum toxin A. Recordings were made at 16 skin areas and compared with subjective estimates of sweating.

Following treatment, palmar evaporation decreased markedly and then returned slowly towards pretreatment values, but was still significantly reduced 6 months after treatment. No significant increase of sweating was found after treatment in any nontreated skin area.

Successful treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis with botulinum toxin does not evoke compensatory hyperhidrosis in nontreated skin territories.