What is the cause of hyperhidrosis and how can Botox® be used to treat this?
Sweating is caused by stimulation of the sweat glands in the skin by nerve endings which descend from higher centers in the brain. Once the signal reaches the endpoint, which is the sweat gland of the skin, these nerve endings release a neurotransmitter, called acetylcholine, that act as a “go” signal to the sweat glands. These nerves respond to emotional stresses such as social situations, public speaking, as well as increased body temperature associated with exercise. Excessive sweating is thought to be caused by a genetic defect that results in the over activity of the sweat glands or the nervous system that stimulates them. Botox® acts at the level of the nerve-sweat gland junction to block the acetylcholine signal transmission, inhibiting the sweat gland from receiving the “go” signal to sweat. With the blockade of this nerveto- sweat gland stimulation, the sweat gland activity is inhibited. What are the symptoms of hyperhidrosis? Everyday, our bodies use perspiration to maintain
