Treatment of hyperhidrosis with botulinum toxin.

Focal idiopathic and episodic eccrine sweating of the axillae, palms, soles, and face troubles afflicted individuals with a social curse that can only be imagined by those whose hands or underarms dampen only occasionally. Although there is no accurate incidence in the epidemiology literature, it seems that about half of the patients who have presented to the author with this condition have at least one first-degree relative similarly affected. Social stigma, lack of understanding on the part of medical providers as to the cause and nature of the problem, and lack of effective therapy keeps most of these patients from seeking medical care. This article investigates the treatment of hyperhidrosis with botulinum toxin.