Background: Hyperhidrosis is a condition marked by excessive sweating that can be debilitating leading to emotional and social embarrassment, as well as occupational, physical and psychological disability. Currently, treatment options available include pharmacologic and surgical. Pharmacologic treatments include topical aluminum salts, iontophoresis, systemic medications and botulinum toxin injection. Meanwhile, surgical treatments include liposuction, direct excision of the glands, sympathectomy and laser treatment. The aforementioned treatments provide only temporary results, may have disabling side effects, may be expensive and some are more invasive that may lead to complications. There are a few studies regarding the use of sclerotherapy for chemical ablation of the sweat glands to treat axillary osmidrosis but, none yet for polidocanol and for axillary hyperhidrosis.

Objective: The study aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of polidocanol injection as treatment for primary axillary hyperhidrosis.

Methods: Patients with primary axillary hyperhidrosis were enrolled. Identified hyperhidrotic areas were determined and injected with 1% polidocanol. The degree of hyperhidrosis was assessed using Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale (HDSS), and Sweating Intensity Visual Scale (SIVS) at baseline, 2 and 4 weeks after injection.

Results: There was percentage reduction in sweating as reflected in the HDSS and SIVS scores pre-treatment and post treatment. The highest mean difference was noted between baseline and week 4. Results showed improvement of hyperhidrosis. However due to the limited number of patients, data was not all statistically significant. Patients reported slight discomfort after the procedure but it immediately waned. No other adverse events were noted.

Conclusion: Polidocanol 1% injection may be a promising treatment modality for primary axillary hyperhidrosis. It is effective and safe, and also inexpensive, less invasive and with minimal complications compared to ethanol and surgery.