Excessive Sweating Treatment: Iontophoresis

Tuesday, June 30th, 2009    Subscribe To Our Feed

If you are one of the many people that are suffering from excessive sweating in the hands or feet, then you might want to know more about iontophoresis. Use of the treatment has grown as more people dealing with the embarrassing effects of hypherhidrosis are looking for different treatment options. It makes sense when the number of people who fail to get relief from standard treatments like prescription strength antiperspirants.

Iiontophoroesis uses water to conduct small electrical charges into the patient’s skin. Even doctors are not entirely sure why this process works as an excessive sweating treatment, but there have been connections made to the minerals present in the water combining with the charge microscopically thickens the skin’s outer layer. By thickening the skin, the flow of sweat to the surface is impeded. Once the outpour of sweat is interrupted, sweat production to the palms and feet may stop completely.

During the process of iontophoresis, electricity is applied to the patient’s hands, feet, or both, when they are immersed in shallow trays. Patients are required to stay in the water between 20 and 40 minutes while current runs through the water. Excessive sweating treatments like iontophoresis may be repeated until perspiration has reached reasonable levels. Afterwards, the patient must continue treatments periodically to maintain the level of dryness desired.

Often, the type of water used can affect the results of iontophoresis. For instance, water lacking the right levels of minerals, electrolytes, soft water, even the geographic location of water can cause lower results. This means that physicians may add additional materials to the water to make it more conducive to iontophoresis. Such materials may include baking soda or prescription drugs like anticholinergics.

Due to the nature of the process iontophoresis should not be used by certain individuals. Those affected by this restriction include people with metal body implants, pacemakers, heart conditions, epilepsy, as well as women who are pregnant. Also, metal jewelry should be removed before undergoing iontophoresis.

Some common concerns voiced by people interested in pursuing iontophoresis as a viable treatment option for their excessive sweating include the risks for electric shock and serious skin irritations that can occur. Most of the concern is unwarranted. In the case of excessive dryness, simple moisturizers should take care of the problem. In some instances, doctors may recommend the use of Vaseline to protect highly sensitive areas. Worries about electric shock should be lessened by the fact that the current used in iontophoresis is very low.

If want to use iontophoresis effectively, you should consult your dermatologist to get all the information you can about the procedure. You should find out if iontophoresis is the best excessive sweating treatment for your situation.

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