Iontophoresis

Iontophoresis is a technique of stopping sweating that has proven to be quite popular elsewhere in the world - but it has not become a very popular treatment in the UK.

In principle, the iontophoresis machine passes a very small electric current into the skin of the hands and/or feet. This seems to reduce or stop the eccrine sweat glands from producing sweat temporarily.

Many iontophoresis machines work by using tap water. It is important to use tap water as this has ions (charged particles) in the water that cause the iontophoresis effect. Pure distilled water does not work.

The water is sometimes put into trays and the hands and feet placed into these trays. Other machines have sponges that absorb the tap water and then hold it next to the skin to be treated.

Treatments usually take 20 minutes per time and usually 6 are required in the first 3 weeks. Iontophoresis usually needs to be repeated every 6 weeks to 6 months depending on the individual.

Advantages of Iontophoresis:

Generally, iontophoresis machines are not very expensive and they use tap water. They are very safe.

Iontophoresis can work for some patients and will provide satisfactory relief. If it doesn't work the addition of glycopyrolate to the tap water can improve results.

There aren't any disposables (except occasionally batteries in some machines) and so treatments are quite inexpensive.

Problems with Iontophoresis

The problems that crop up with iontophoresis tend to be split into:

• It is a temporary treatment that need repeating
• It has variable results

Iontophoresis - As a temporary treatment

Now that so many treatments are available that are either long-lasting or permanent, many patients are not keen on a therapy that needs to be repeated regularly.

Iontophoresis - provides variable results

Iontophoresis can produce variable results - not only depending on different patients but, as tap water varies around the country and around the world, there are likely to be different results depending on the different regions where it is used.