Revival of the use of botulinum toxin: Application in dermatology

Botulinum toxins (BTXs) comprise a family of neurotoxins designated as type s A-G, which are produced by the anerobic bacterium Clostridium botulinum. BTX-A blocks the cholinergic transmission resulting in flaccid paralysis an d autonomous nerve dysfunction. It has become a powerful therapeutic tool i n a variety of conditions over the last decades. Primarily used in the trea tment of strabism, blepharospasm and hemifacial spasms, BTX has only recent ly been recognized in dermatology. The use of BTX in dermatology includes t he treatment of focal hyperhidrosis, hyperfunctional facial lines as well a s paralysis of the anal sphincter in the therapy of anal fissures. The mech anism of action is described and the current literature is reviewed. Copyri ght (C) 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel.