Can be tried if antiperspirants have not lead to the desired result. This method
consists in applying low intensity electric current (15-18 mA), supplied by a D/C
generator, to the palms and/or soles immersed in an electrolyte solution. The procedure
has to be repeated regularly, initially in 20' sessions several times/week, gradually
stretching out the interval between treatments to 1-2 weeks. The results vary: many
patients, suffering from light or moderate hyperhiderosis, are happy with the method, some
may consider it too time-consuming or inefficient, and comparably expensive. It is
difficult to apply in axillary, and impossible to use in diffuse hyperhidrosis of the face
or the trunk/thigh region.
Efficacy of the Drionic unit in the treatment of
hyperhidrosis. J Am Acad Dermatol 1987;16:828-832. "...the Drionic unit appears
to have a definite place in the treatment of hyperhidrosis."
A new device in the treatment of hyperhidrosis by iontophoresis. Cutis
1982;29:82-89.
Tap water iontophoresis in the treatment of hyperhidrosis. Int J Dermatol
26;1987:194-197.
"Tap water iontophoresis is a recognized method of reducing sweat in various parts
of the body. The Drionic device is a battery-operated method of inducing tap water
iontophoresis. This simple device may be used at home and is effective in reducing
hyperhidrosis for as long as 6 weeks."
Mervyn L. Elgart, M.D.,
Professor & Chairman,
Iontophoresis is a technique by which a stepped down low amperage current is passed
through tap water in which the palms and/or soles are immersed for a treatment lasting
anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes. This procedure seems to act by producing a blockage of
sweat ducts at the top level of the skin (stratum corneum). Treatments are necessary
approximately three to four times per week, for about three weeks to achieve the desired
effect. The effect is not permanent: maintenance therapy with iontophoresis must be
continued in order to continue to inhibit sweating.
A battery powered iontophoresis unit (the Drionic unit) from General Medical
Corporation in Los Angeles, is available for sale for home use. This is most affective on
the palms, but also works in approximately one-third of cases for the soles and arm pits.
If used for 20 days continuously, the percent response can range between 75% to 100%.
Iontophoresis can also be performed with a Fischer Galvanic Unit, (from Fischer
Scientific, cost approximately $600). Both palms, or both soles, are immersed into large
plastic pans through which current is passed. Approximately 3 treatments per week, for 3
weeks, are necessary to determine the efficacy of this treatment; maintenance therapy is
also required. Office treatments are approximately $75 in some offices, for each of eight
to nine outpatient treatments.
Abstract. Tap water iontophoresis is the therapy of choice in hyperhidrosis
palmoplantaris. Therapeutic regimens, however, vary greatly. The aim of the present study
was to develop an optimized therapeutic scheme. The main methodologic parameters subjected
to systematic experimental study included the effects of current polarity, the duration of
a single treatment session, the addition of electrolytes to the tap water and the
treatment interval during maintenance therapy. The following procedure is proposed. During
the initial phase, treatments are carried out three times weekly for 10 min each time. The
anode is kept on one extremity until normhidrosis is reached on this extremity. Then,
polarity is changed until sweating is reduced to normal on the other extremity (constant
polarity). In the subsequent maintenance phase, patients are treated at intervals of 6 - 8
days for 10 min each time. Polarity is switched from treatment to treatment (alternating
polarity). Plain tap water is used without additives.
97033: Application of a modality to one or more areas; iontophoresis, each 15 minutes
See this web site to order the unit: http://www.drionic.com
