Botulinum toxin: Non cosmetic and off-label dermatological uses

Abstract

Botulinum toxin (BT-A) is a neurotoxin which is produced by the Gram-positive anaerobic bacterium Clostridium botulinum. The efficacy of Botulinum toxin in treating hyperhidrosis and the glabellar lines is well known and FDA approved. Because BT-A inhibits the release of acetylcholine and many other neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine and substance P at the level of nerve ending, this toxin has been used to treat a lot of dermatological disorders which are thought to be triggered by these neurotransmitters. In this article we are discussing the medical off-label uses of BT-A in dermatology.

Keywords

• Botulinum toxin
• Hyperhidrosis
• Hailey-Hailey
• Post-herpetic Neuralgia
• Leiomyoma-related pain
• Lichen simplex chronicus
• Raynaud Syndrome