Botox, also known as botulinum toxin type A, helps treat wrinkles and fine lines on the forehead and crow’s feet around the eyes. But Botox has various medical uses in the areas of neurology, urology, and podiatry which are lesser known.
Texas Surgical Dermatology, led by board certified dermatologist Dr. Tri H. Nguyen provides a range of skin care procedures to patients in Houston, Katy, Spring, The Woodlands, Texas, and surrounding communities.
Other Applications of Botox
Some of the medical conditions that Botox injectables can treat are:
- Eyelid Spasms (Blepharospasms)
The Botox neurotoxin leads to temporary muscle paralysis. Therefore, it blocks the signals that nerves send to muscles.
This can be helpful for doctors when muscles do something that they should not be doing, for instance spasming.
In fact, when Botox received FDA approval in 1989, an initial use for the medication was in the treatment of blepharospasms (an eyelid muscle movement disorder).
- Crossed Eyes (Strabismus)
Botox was also initially approved for the treatment of crossed eyes (strabismus).
Crossed eyes may be a congenital defect or may occur due to trauma such as blunt trauma to the eye region. Surgery can effectively treat this condition. However, at times people undergo Botox treatment to relax the muscles and see how the uncrossed eyes appear.
Strabismus patients who do not want to undergo eye surgery can receive Botox to relax their eye muscles as a long-term solution.
- Spasmodic Dysphonia
This condition causes the sound in the vocal cords to become strained, hoarse, and shaky. But it is a neurological condition rather than a speech disorder.
Spasmodic dysphonia can affect an individual’s communication abilities. Experts indicate that Botox is an effective treatment for this condition.
- Drooling (Hypersalivation)
Ear, nose, and throat specialists can administer Botox for the treatment of hypersalivation with a few injections into the salivary glands. Botox will cause the nerves to paralyze to stop the overproduction of saliva.
- Excessive Sweating (Hyperhidrosis)
Botox is also a successful treatment for hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) of the hands, armpits, head, feet, or face.
According to studies, Botox has been shown to reduce sweating in these regions by almost 87 percent. In the treatment of excessive sweating of the palmar (hand), Botox may be up to 90 percent effective.
- Chronic Migraines
People suffering from migraines welcomed the approval of Botox to treat chronic migraines in 2010.
Migraine patients can suffer hours of light sensitivity, nausea, and severe headaches. This can also lead to scalp pain.
In order to relax the region and relieve pain, doctors can inject Botox into the temples on the back of the neck and base of the head.
Botox can also treat the area between the eyebrows (glabellar area).
- Bell’s Palsy
Bell’s palsy refers to facial nerve paralysis that makes one half of the face droop. It occurs when a specific cranial nerve is stimulated. This happens during pregnancy, in people with diabetes, or following the transmission of specific viruses, such as Lyme disease.
While Bell’s palsy is typically temporary, Botox injectables can ease the paralyzed muscles of the face for a faster recovery. Board certified dermatologists Dr. Nugyen receive patients from Houston, Katy, Spring, The Woodlands, Texas, and nearby areas.
For more information on procedures and treatments offered at Texas Surgical Dermatology PA please call 832.663.6566 or click here to contact our dermatologists. Helping patients in Houston, The Woodlands, Springs, Katy and other surrounding areas of Texas.
