Botox injections comprise a popular non-invasive treatment for excessive sweating, primarily in the armpits, but you can get the injection in any part of the body that sweats more than normal, be it palms of hands, soles of feet, head, face, lower back or between the thighs. This injectable drug offers instant and lasting relief from armpit sweating, but there are some misconceptions about Botox that intimidate people, convincing them not to get the Botox shots. These myths are more about the side effects of this toxin, most of which are nothing more than a mythoi.
Botox does have some side effects, but it rarely causes any potential side effects. Some most commonly reported side effects of Botox injections in the armpits include slight swelling and or bruising at the injection site, accompanied by pain, itching, rash or redness, like in case of any other injection. The risk of experiencing some pain, swelling, itching and/or redness at the injection site is less than 10 in 100 patients. Since this toxin reduces muscle overactivity, there is a possibility that you may feel muscle weakness post-treatment, but this is very rare with a reporting rate of 1 in 100 people.
Botox treatment reduces sweat production only in the treated area, while the rest of your body continues to sweat normally. But there is a possibility that a specific area or areas of your body may start sweating more after the treatment to make up for the reduction in perspiration in the underarms. This is called compensatory sweating and has an occurrence rate of 4 to 5 out of 100 patients. For your comfort, compensatory sweating subsides at its own within 3 to 4 months.
Some patients have also reported to have experienced headache or hot flush after getting Botox shots, but this is also very rare with an occurrence rate of 10 in 100 people. Less than 1 out of 100 people feel sick following the treatment.
However, this is the case when you are getting Botox injection from an experienced and board-certified doctor. If administered by a novice or a nurse practitioner, botulinum toxin can cause life threatening side effects, such as difficulty in breathing or swallowing, muscle weakness or spread of toxin. In worst case scenario, the patient may also experience botulism like symptoms, which could be fatal.
So it is very important to carefully choose a doctor to administer Botox injections. Always go for a plastic surgeon who is board certified and has at least 5-year experience of injecting Botox in the armpits. Never go for an inexperienced doctor thinking that it may save you a few bucks.