Dermatology
What is hyperhidrosis?
Hyperhidrosis is the term for excessive sweating. Sweating is a normal process necessary to cool the body. Sweating increases in response to environmental heat or exercise and sometimes with anxiety and stress. The rate at which we sweat is controlled by the sympathetic nervous system. The most common sites for hyperhidrosis are the palms of the hands, the soles of the feet and the armpits.
What is iontophoresis?
Iontophoresis is a treatment for the hands and, or feet whereby a weak electric current is passed through water. It is thought that this temporarily stops the electrical signals sent by the nervous system to the sweat glands. If responsive to iontophoresis, the excessive sweating can be significantly reduced in the short term however regular maintenance would be required.
An Iontophoresis machine can be purchased by the patient to carry out this maintenance therapy at home. Iontophoresis is not painful or uncomfortable. It is described by many as a ‘tingle’ sensation.
Precautions
Iontophoresis cannot be undertaken by those who:
- Have a cardiac pacemaker or cardiac defibrillator
- Have any metal orthopaedic implants, for example, metal hip replacements
- Have a uterine implant (an IUD or IUS – a contraceptive ‘coil’)
- If you are or may be pregnant
- Have a tumour
- Suffer from polyneuropathy which is damage or disease affecting peripheral nerves
- Are currently suffering from any type of thrombosis (blood clots)
- Are under five years of age
What does iontophoresis entail?
Step 1
You will need to remove your jewellery and any body piercings that you may have before commencing treatment.
Petroleum jelly can be applied to any small cuts before treatment starts and during the break for the polarity change.
Place your hands and, or feet into the trays of shallow water. These trays are attached to the machine by electrical cables.
Step 2
Once you are comfortable slowly introduce the electric current until you feel the tingle sensation. This should be comfortable for you and not make you want to take your hands away. Once the current is turned on you should not remove your hands or feet from the trays, or you might experience a mild electric shock (similar to static electric shocks).
Step 3
Leave your hands and, or feet in the trays for 15 minutes. This should be timed and then reduce the power slowly and then the treatment is finished. After 10 to 15 minutes the current will be reduced and you will be able to rest for a couple of minutes. You will then immerse the areas being treated again in the water trays and the current will be restarted with the opposite polarity (the electric current will run in the opposite direction).
After treatment
If you get any soreness or irritation during treatment an emollient or Hydrocortisone cream may be applied immediately after treatment.
Useful sources of information
• Hyperhidrosis UK
• British Association of Dermatologists (BAD)
• DermNet NZ
• NHS – Hyperhidrosis
Companies with machines to hire or purchase
• Dermasweat
• Dermadry
• Sweathelp
Contact us
For further information please contact James Cook Dermatology Department on:
Telephone 01642 854149
Email: [email protected]
Patient experience
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust would like your feedback. If you wish to share your experience about your care and treatment or on behalf of a patient, please contact The Patient Experience Department who will advise you on how best to do this.
This service is based at The James Cook University Hospital but also covers the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton, our community hospitals and community health services.
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T: 01642 835964
E: [email protected]