Who invented iontophoresis

Learn more. She received her medical degree from the University of Paris School of Medicine. Thomas is board certified in dermatology in the United States and France. He received a master of public health degree in medical administration from the University of California at Berkeley School of Public Health, and a medical degree from New York Medical College, Valhalla.

Address correspondence to Robert A. Schwartz, M. Reprints are not available from the authors. The authors indicate that they do not have any conflicts of interest. Sources of funding: none reported. Hyperhidrosis and sympathetic skin response in chronic alcoholic patients. Clin Auton Res. Nonneoplastic disorders of the eccrine glands. J Am Acad Dermatol. Stolman LP. Treatment of hyperhidrosis. Dermatol Clin.

Int J Dermatol. The treatment of primary palmar hyperhidrosis: a review. Surg Today. Hyperhidrosis: a review of current management. Plast Reconstr Surg. The treatment of hyperhidrosis of the hands and feet with a constant current. Am J Phys Med. Holzle E, Alberti N. Long-term efficacy and side effects of tap water ion-tophoresis of palmoplantar hyperhidrosis—the usefulness of home therapy. Treatment of excess sweating of the palms by iontophoresis.

Arch Dermatol. Br J Dermatol. Safe control of palmoplantar hyperhidrosis with direct electrical current. Mechanism of action of iontophoresis in the treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis.

Mechanism of galvanic current-induced inhibition of palmar sweating in hyperhidrotic patients. Clin Res. Eccrine sweat gland disorders. A new strategy of iontophoresis for hyperhidrosis.

Tan SR, Solish N. Long-term efficacy and quality of life in the treatment of focal hyperhidrosis with botulinum toxin A. Dermatol Surg. Botulinum toxin therapy for palmar hyper-hidrosis. Type A botulinum toxin: a new treatment for axillary and palmar hyperhidrosis. J Drugs Dermatol. Report of idiopathic palmar hyper-hidrosis with botulinum toxin. Review of 23 cases and review of the literature. Wollina U, Karamfilov T. Botulinum toxin A for palmar hyperhidrosis.

J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. Intravenous regional anesthesia Bier's block for botulinum toxin therapy of palmar hyperhidrosis is safe and effective.

Double-blind trial of botulinum A toxin for the treatment of focal hyperhidrosis of the palms. Uniportal endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy for treatment of palmar and axillary hyperhidrosis: analysis of cases. Ng I, Yeo TT. Palmar hyperhidrosis: intraoperative monitoring with laser Doppler blood flow as a guide for success after endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy. The authors concluded that the device has a role in treating hyperhidrosis but may require twice-daily treatment for more than 2 weeks for some patients and that retreatment is necessary 2 weeks after stopping treatment.

Gravimetric measurement of sweat production was performed. Those treated with standard DC had improvement in hyperhidrosis after an average of 11 treatments, as well as the usual side effects, including the occasional mild shock due to incorrect technique i.

Those on AC treatments had no resolution of hyperhidrosis after a total of 25 treatments. Several side effects are seen during tap water iontophoresis but usually these are mild and do not necessitate discontinuation of treatment. For instance, to prevent mild shocks, patients should be reminded to keep their hands or feet in the water trays while the device is in use and to avoid touching the electrodes.

Vesiculation in the effected area has been reported, but is usually transient. Since sweat glands are the main route for absorption of medications delivered by iontophoresis, using this method to deliver agents to treat hyperhidrosis is a logical approach.

Several studies compared tap water iontophoresis to iontophoresis of an anticholinergic medication, and another compared combined iontophoresis of aluminum chloride and an anticholinergic to tap water iontophoresis. In one study, the anticholinergic agent poldine methylsulfate or tap water was delivered by iontophoresis to the palms, soles, and axillae of 13 patients, using one side either as placebo control or for the other treatment.

The greatest effect of poldine was on the palms, and the worst response was in the axillae, where only 2 of 5 patients had a response. Systemic side effects were seen, most commonly dry mouth. Similar to tap water iontophoresis, continued treatment once or twice weekly with poldine was needed, as only a few patients had longer remissions.

Another study evaluated the use of a 0. The group treated with tap water all responded after a variable number of treatments, but most required continued weekly or twice-weekly treatment to maintain dryness. Patients with planter and axillary symptoms required more treatments to reach sufficient dryness. Those treated with glycopyrronium fared better, however. Except for those with axillary hyperhidrosis, a prolonged period of hypohidrosis was achieved—an average of Axillary patients continued to need treatment about once per week.

All patients had signs of systemic absorption of the anticholinergic. Dryness of the mouth usually persisted for 6 to 24 hours after therapy. Occasional visual, GI, and urinary difficulties were reported.

The reason for the prolonged effect with glycopyrronium is unknown, and the author speculated that the drug is held in the epidermis and slowly released. In a third study, the combination of 0. Combined iontophoresis used changing periods of time for delivery of glycopyrrolate and aluminum chloride over 4 days: on the first day the anticholinergic alone was given over 30 minutes, and on the second day 20 minutes were used for delivery of glycopyrrolate and 10 minutes for aluminum chloride.

This ratio was reversed for the third day, and on the fourth day the patients received aluminum chloride alone. Using this approach, the investigators hoped to suppress sweating with the anticholinergic in order to enhance the absorption of aluminum chloride into the sweat gland.

Each day the treatment was repeated with reversed polarity, leading to an overall treatment duration of 1 hour. The mean remission duration after the 4-day treatment was 3.

Only 1 patient complained of mouth dryness. Although no specific data on treatment of the axillae by this method are reported, the authors state that the axillary hyperhidrosis responded as well as palmar symptoms.

Two patients had 5 months of remission of axillary sweating after a single 4-day treatment. One of the most effective treatments for hyperhidrosis is a clinical strength antiperspirant like SweatBlock. It is highly effective for controlling underarm sweating, as well as hand, feet, and head sweating.

There are other hyperhidrosis treatments that may be worth considering. Many are more expensive and more invasive than iontophoresis. These include Botox injections, and using electromagnetic or microwave energy for killing sweat glands. Irreversible surgery is also an option. Once again, talking with a doctor about your specific situation is the best course of action.

He or she can prescribe the treatment that best suits you. Iontophoresis is a widely accepted and proven treatment for sufferers of hyperhidrosis. Individual results may vary. View average effectiveness results here.

Refund must be requested within days of purchase. Site Terms Privacy Policy. Iontophoresis: Frequently Asked Questions 1. What is iontophoresis? Who invented it and when? How does iontophoresis therapy work? Does iontophoresis work for hyperhidrosis? How often should I have treatments? When will iontophoresis start working? What areas of the body can be treated with iontophoresis? Can iontophoresis work on my underarms? What is an iontophoresis patch and how does it work?

Does iontophoresis hurt? Can I be electrically shocked by iontophoresis? Is the iontophoresis treatment permanent? Are there side effects from iontophoresis? Who performs iontophoresis? Will my insurance pay for iontophoresis? How much do iontophoresis treatments cost? What is the best iontophoresis machine for me? How much will an iontophoresis machine cost and where can I buy one?

What other hyperhidrosis treatments can I try? Sometimes a Diclofenac gel is applied topically to reduce the inflammation. Here are important factors to consider when looking to purchase an iontophoresis machine for home use: Affordability — Find a device that works within your budget. Machine size — If the machine will be used at home, size may not be an issue. Safety — Find a machine that has safety features that eliminate the possibility of electrical shock.

Timers — The duration of treatments is critical to potential success. Power source — Some machines are battery powered only. Replacing those batteries can be expensive.

Warranty and Service — Choose a machine that includes a warranty at least 12 months and be sure the manufacturer offers a user-friendly customer service program. If you wear a pacemaker — The electrical current used in iontophoresis, although mild, may interfere with a pacemaker. Pregnancy — Iontophoresis has not been tested on pregnant women. Metal orthopedic implants — Because electrical current will pass through the parts of the body being treated, any metal implants in those areas can cause problems.

Talk to your physician about the treatment if you have any metal implants in your body. Cardiac arrhythmia — Electrical impulses trigger your heart to beat. If you have an irregular heart condition, you should avoid iontophoresis unless your doctor specifically recommends it and supervises the treatment.