Hyperhidrosis

Excessive sweating, known as hyperhidrosis, can significantly impact daily activities, social interactions, and quality of life. This condition especially affects the palms and is often difficult to treat effectively with current therapies, which may be expensive, uncomfortable, or have unwanted side effects. The study focuses on evaluating a new topical treatment using cyanoacrylate (TCA), a medical-grade adhesive, to reduce palmar sweating in adults with primary palmar hyperhidrosis. This pilot study is an open-label, single-site trial lasting up to 4 weeks. It includes screening and baseline assessments, a 1-week treatment phase where participants apply the TCA polymer once daily to their palms, and a 4-week follow-up conducted by phone. The TCA product is designed to form a fast-acting film on the skin that blocks sweat pores without harming skin texture or grip function. Participants will be monitored through self-reported sweating severity scores, gravimetric sweat measurements, and grip strength tests over 7 days. Safety and effectiveness will be assessed using the Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale (HDSS) and other measures. The study aims to enroll about 30 adults aged 18 and older. Follow-up includes a phone call and exit survey at week 4 to evaluate longer-term effects and safety.

This research evaluates an investigational artificial intelligence (AI) tool designed to aid primary care providers in assessing skin conditions. The AI-powered dermatology image reference app provides reference images but does not make diagnoses; providers use their own training to diagnose. The study compares diagnoses made by primary care providers using the AI tool against a panel of board-certified dermatologists who set the gold standard. The study is supported by the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) and aims to examine AI's impact on dermatology decision support in primary care settings. Participants will use the Belle AI dermatological reference system via a smartphone app to capture images of their skin conditions. Primary care providers will use the BellePro Physician App to review AI-generated image matches and differential diagnoses alongside their clinical examination. Participants will have an initial clinic visit and a follow-up scheduled around 14 days later, although some follow-up visits may be canceled based on AI analysis. Throughout the study, push notifications will prompt participants to submit images, and providers will reassess diagnoses using updated AI insights. A review committee of senior dermatologists will confirm final diagnoses through a multi-step review process. Participants will register and be triaged at Urban Health Plan clinics, where those with qualifying dermatological complaints may consent to join. Providers will undergo onboarding and training on the AI app and complete surveys about their experiences. The study collects clinical data, images, and provider feedback while monitoring diagnostic accuracy and economic impact over approximately 14 days. All case notes are updated continuously, and the final analysis will exclude cases without consensus diagnosis from the dermatology review committee.

Researchers are investigating the role of TRPV1 nociceptors in the chronic inflammatory skin condition Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS). This study aims to test whether blocking neuropeptide activity with botulinum toxin can reduce the harmful inflammation associated with HS, building on previous data from mice and humans. The focus is on the IL-17 driven inflammation that characterizes this condition. Participants will receive botulinum toxin treatment, with 50 units injected intradermally into the affected skin areas (50 units per 100cm2, delivered as 10 injections of 0.1mL per axilla). Skin punch biopsies will be taken from the lesions before treatment and again 1 to 2 months after the first injection. These samples will be analyzed using flow cytometry, transcriptomics, and microscopy to observe changes in immune cell populations and inflammation. During the study, investigators will measure various immune cells in the skin, including dendritic cells, macrophages, and T cells, to assess the effect of botulinum toxin on skin inflammation. Participants will be monitored for 1 to 2 months after treatment to evaluate changes in these cells and inflammation markers. Safety and patient consent will be carefully handled throughout the study.

Trismus, a condition causing restricted mouth opening, often affects head and neck cancer patients after radiation therapy. This research evaluates the effects of injecting Botulinum toxin (Botox) into the masticatory muscles to relieve muscle tension and spasm. The study focuses on patients who have completed radiotherapy and experience limited mouth movement along with muscle tightness or pain. Participants will receive either echo-guided Botox injections or echo-guided normal saline injections into the masticatory muscles, including the medial pterygoid. These injections are combined with oral rehabilitation exercises aimed at reducing muscle spasm and improving mouth opening. The study is conducted as a phase 4 clinical trial. Throughout the six-month treatment period, researchers will assess the maximal mouth opening ability, quality of life, trismus severity, and pain levels. Participants will be monitored for changes in these outcomes to evaluate the treatment's effectiveness and safety. The total duration of the treatment and observation spans six months from enrollment.

Researchers are comparing the effects of mandibular splint treatment versus botox injection in the lateral pterygoid muscle on cervical muscle activity in adults with temporomandibular disorders (TMD). TMD involves chronic pain and dysfunction in the jaw joint and chewing muscles, often related to abnormal positioning of the joint disc. This study focuses on patients with a specific type of disc displacement causing jaw and neck muscle issues. Participants will receive either a mandibular stabilization splint or botox injections into the lateral pterygoid muscle, both combined with medications such as muscle relaxants, antidepressants, and anti-inflammatory drugs. Botox is prepared at a set concentration and injected using an insulin syringe. The splint aims to realign the jaw joint and muscles, while botox injections aim to reduce muscle hyperactivity. Treatments are given based on the group assignment. During the study, researchers will monitor muscle activity in the upper trapezius and sternocleidomastoid muscles for three months following injection. Participants will be evaluated for cervical muscle spasms and trigger points. The study includes clinical assessments to understand treatment effects and safety. Overall participation includes treatment and monitoring for up to three months.

This research aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Bilateral Thoracoscopic Sympathectomy (BTS) in permanently reducing Primary Focal Hyperhidrosis, a condition causing excessive sweating in specific areas such as the palms, armpits, face, and soles. The study also investigates how BTS affects cardio-pulmonary function, the occurrence and severity of compensatory sweating, postoperative pain, complications, and overall quality of life in affected individuals. The treatment involves performing BTS under general anesthesia with single lung ventilation. The sympathetic chain is transected using monopolar cautery at varying levels, and participants are categorized into three groups based on whether the transection occurs from the second to the fourth thoracic ganglion (T2-T4), the third to the fourth (T3-T4), or the second to the third (T2-T3). This procedure is designed to assess the impact of different transection levels on treatment outcomes. Participants are involved in completing preoperative and postoperative questionnaires to evaluate the effects of BTS on their symptoms and quality of life. Researchers will monitor reductions in sweating severity using the Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale (HDSS) and gravimetric sweat testing immediately after surgery. The study also reviews cardio-pulmonary function tests, tracks compensatory sweating and pain characteristics, and records any postoperative complications to understand the overall impact of BTS over time.

This research investigates treatments for chronic migraine, a type of primary headache recognized by the International Headache Society. It compares the effectiveness and safety of two approaches: sphenopalatine ganglion block (SPGB) and intramuscular BOTOX injection. The study aims to better understand how these treatments can manage pain related to chronic migraines. Participants will receive either the sphenopalatine block, which involves applying 2 ml of 2% lidocaine into each nostril using a nasal applicator, or 100 units of Botulinum Toxin Type A (BOTOX) administered in a fixed dose and at specific sites. These treatments are given to evaluate their impact on migraine symptoms. Throughout the trial, researchers will monitor the degree of pain experienced by participants 12 weeks after the procedure. The study will assess pain levels and safety to determine how each treatment affects chronic migraine. Participants will be followed for at least 12 weeks to gather this information.

Researchers are evaluating the safety and effectiveness of topical oxybutynin deodorant for people with axillary hyperhidrosis, a condition causing excessive underarm sweating. This Phase 2 trial aims to determine whether the effects of topical oxybutynin are local or systemic by comparing it to oral oxybutynin and a placebo spray. The study will include 20 patients diagnosed with axillary hyperhidrosis. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: one group will take oral oxybutynin tablets starting with 2.5 mg once daily and increasing to 5 mg twice daily over 35 days; a second group will apply a placebo spray to their armpits twice daily for 35 days; and a third group will use the 10% oxybutynin topical spray on their armpits twice daily for the same period. This design will help assess the impact of topical oxybutynin compared to oral medication and placebo. During the 35-day study, researchers will monitor participants' improvement in hyperhidrosis severity using the Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale and assess changes in quality of life through a validated questionnaire. Safety will be tracked by recording any adverse events. Participants will undergo assessments at the start and end of the study to evaluate treatment effects, with the total participation lasting 35 days.

Researchers are investigating how unhealthy perfectionism, stress, anxiety, impostor phenomenon (difficulty realistically assessing one's skills), and lack of self-compassion affect symptoms, coping, and treatment in patients with various skin diseases and pain conditions. This study focuses on dermatological diseases including localized provoked vulvodynia, hyperhidrosis, and other pain syndromes, aiming to map these psychological traits and their impact on these illnesses. Participants will engage in one or two weekly behavioral exercises lasting about 30 minutes each, over a period of five or ten weeks. Before starting, they will complete web-based questionnaires assessing impostor phenomenon, stress, anxiety, self-compassion, and perfectionism. These questionnaires are repeated at 12 and 24 weeks after the intervention to evaluate changes. Throughout the study, participants will anonymously complete validated questionnaires at the beginning, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks to measure signs of impostor phenomenon and disease-related pain or symptoms. Responses are confidential, linked only by a participant-known code. Data analysis will use specialized statistical software to assess the effects of the interventions on psychological and disease measures.