Amelioration of body odor after intracutaneous axillary injection of botulinum toxin A.
BACKGROUND
Body odor is a ubiquitous phenomenon. It is commonly attributed to sweating and noted explicitly in the axillary area. Botulinum toxin A has recently been shown to be effective for axillary hyperhidrosis. Its effect on axillary odor, however, is unknown.


METHODS
Sixteen healthy volunteers were injected with botulinum toxin A (Dysport, 100 U dissolved in 0.9% sodium chloride solution) in one axilla and 0.9% sodium chloride solution in the other axilla in a randomized, double-blinded fashion. After 7 days, body odor was assessed by a T-shirt sniff test. A significant reduction of odor intensity was observed for the botulinum toxin A-treated side. The smell was also rated significantly less unpleasant.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that botulinum toxin A can ameliorate or even improve body odor. The underlying mechanisms may include interference with skin microbes and denervation of apoeccrine sweat glands, but this remains to be further investigated.
Heckmann
Marc
M
Department of Dermatology, Ludwig-Maximilian-University, Munich, Germany.
Teichmann
Bianca
B
Pause
Bettina M
BM
Plewig
Gerd
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001365:Axilla; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004439:Eccrine Glands / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007271:Injections, Intradermal; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009812:Odorants; D013542:Sweat
D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A