TY - JOUR T1 - AMelioration of body odor after intracutaneous axillary injection of botulinum toxin a AU - Heckmann M, Teichmann B, Pause BM, Plewig G Y1 - 2003/01/01 N1 - 10.1001/archderm.139.1.57 JO - Archives of Dermatology SP - 57 EP - 59 VL - 139 IS - 1 N2 - 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.Observations  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. SN - 0003-987X M3 - doi: 10.1001/archderm.139.1.57 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archderm.139.1.57 ER -