Botox and Eczema: Can Botox Help Relieve Chronic Itching?

Do you have itchy skin (technically known as pruritus), or suffer from eczema? Botox may be the solution!

Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a chronic skin condition that causes dryness, inflammation, and persistent itching—often affecting a person’s daily comfort and quality of life. While traditional treatments like steroid creams and moisturizers offer some relief, researchers have recently begun exploring Botox (botulinum toxin) as a potential option for managing eczema-related itching.

Here’s what the latest research says about this unconventional use of Botox, and whether it may play a role in the future of dermatological care.

What Is Eczema?

Eczema is an inflammatory skin condition that causes symptoms like:

• Red, irritated, or inflamed patches
• Dry or scaly skin
• Persistent itch (pruritus)
• Flare-ups triggered by stress, allergens, or weather

The most common form is atopic dermatitis, which can appear on the face, hands, arms, or other sensitive areas of the body. Because the itch–scratch cycle is hard to break, many sufferers struggle to manage symptoms—even with prescription treatments.

How Does Botox Work?

Botox is best known for relaxing facial muscles and softening wrinkles, but it also has several medical uses beyond aesthetics. Approved applications include:

• Chronic migraines
• Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis)
• Muscle spasms
• TMJ and jaw tension

It works by temporarily blocking nerve signals—specifically the neurotransmitter acetylcholine—to reduce muscle activity or nerve overstimulation. Researchers believe this same mechanism could also help interrupt itch signaling pathways in the skin.

What Does the Research Say About Botox for Eczema?

While still in early stages, preliminary research has shown that Botox injections may offer temporary relief for patients with chronic itching and treatment-resistant eczema.

A case study from Edinburgh University documented a woman who had suffered from widespread itching on her arms and torso for over 10 years. After receiving Botox injections in the affected areas, she experienced a significant reduction in symptoms for up to six months. Another patient with a six-year history of forehead itch also reported lasting relief post-treatment.

In a separate study, researchers at the University of Jena in Germany observed that Botox injections reduced eczema symptoms on the hands by up to 12 times in select patients. These findings suggest that Botox may help calm overactive nerve responses and reduce inflammation associated with eczema flares.

While promising, these results are based on small sample sizes and require further investigation before Botox can be considered a mainstream or approved treatment for eczema.

Can Botox Treat Eczema?

At this time, Botox is not approved by Health Canada or the FDA for the treatment of eczema. However, it is being studied as a potential off-label therapy for chronic itch (pruritus), particularly in patients who do not respond to conventional treatments.

Some researchers believe Botox could eventually serve as an adjunctive therapy—used alongside other eczema medications to manage localized itching or reduce the frequency of flare-ups in specific areas.

Who Might Benefit in the Future?

Pending further clinical studies, Botox may show potential for patients who:

• Have persistent itching that disrupts sleep or daily life
• Do not respond well to topical steroid treatments
• Experience eczema in high-friction or high-sweat zones (e.g., hands, face, neck)

Explore Botox’s Other Medical Uses

At Skin Vitality Medical Clinic, we stay at the forefront of new and emerging uses for treatments like Botox. While we do not currently offer Botox for eczema, we do provide Botox for:

• Facial wrinkle reduction
• Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)
• TMJ and jawline tension
• Masseter slimming