Can Botox for Hyperhidrosis Increase my Risk of Infection in my Armpit?

If you have already had some abscesses in the underarms, they might recur.  Wait until your doctor says it's OK to proceed.  The injections are not done if there is evidence of infected follicles or new abscesses. Your doctor should distinguish between infection from bacteria vs. a sweat gland disorder called hidradenitis suppurativa. The latter condition often is treated with Botox during the flares, although some doctors may prescribe antibiotics.

Treating hyperhydrosis is a small part of my practice, but I have not seen an under-arm infection in any of my patients. The area of your abscess should be well healed by February, and the scar will continue to shrink.

You should get specific advice from your doctor about your condition, but I think the risk of getting an infection from an under-arm Botox treatment would be low.

Hope this helps.

Dr. Joseph

Any time a needle enters the skin, there is a risk of infection. That said, presuming the area is cleaned/sterilized properly before injecting, the risk of infection after botulinum toxin (e.g. Botox) injection for hyperhidrosis would be incredibly low. To reduce the risk further, it might be reasonable to apply an antibiotic cream immediately after the treatment and perhaps for 3 days after. I have treated countless patients for hyperhidrosis with Botox and not once had a patient develop an infection, although of course anything is possible.

Any time a needle is used to puncture the skin, as in the case with the injection of Botox for hyperhidrosis, there is always a risk of infection.  If the skin is cleaned properly, however, and there is no sign of infection, the risk of abscess formation or other infection should otherwise be very low. It would be best to wait until your skin is completely healed before getting another treatment of Botox for hyperhidrosis in the armpit if you recently had an abscess.

It would be best to wait to have repeat Botox injections until the armpit abscess has healed.    Good lucj.