Cooling by frozen gel pack as pain relief during treatment of axillary hyperhidrosis with botulinum toxin a injections.
Botulinum toxin A injection is a well-described efficacious treatment for axillary hyperhidrosis. Although considered a safe treatment, many patients experience pain during injections. The purpose of the present study was to examine whether cooling by frozen gel packs applied in the axilla for 5 min before treatment could reduce pain. Thirty-six patients with axillary hyperhidrosis were included in this randomized, open-label prospective study, in which patients were their own controls. Pain was assessed before, during (four times), and immediately after treatment, using a numeric rating scale. The patients experienced statistically significant pain reduction, of 14-19%, in areas cooled by frozen gel pack (p<0.01). However, the clinical relevance of this relatively small pain reduction is questionable.
Skiveren
Jette
J
Department of Dermatology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Bispebjerg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark. js07@bbh.regionh.dk
Kjaerby
Emmy
E
Nordahl Larsen
Heidi
H
D000328:Adult; D001365:Axilla; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005615:Freezing; D005782:Gels; D006801:Humans; D006945:Hyperhidrosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007271:Injections, Intradermal / Q000009:adverse effects; D059408:Pain Management; D011446:Prospective Studies
D005782:Gels; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A