Excessive Sweating Treatment

Iontophoresis is a fairly safe and effective way to control hyperhidrosis of the feet and palms and is an alternative for those who need to try other methods to curb their excessive sweating.

Water is used in Iontophoresis to conduct a safe electrical pulse through the skin’s top most layer. It’s not known how or why iontophoresis for excessive sweating is at all effective. However it is surmised that the electricity and certain mineral particles in the fluid combine so that to thicken the outer most skin layer through a microscopic process. This thickened outer layer of skin restricts the release of the excessive sweat. After the sweat is blocked or temporarily stopped, excessive sweat production on the palms and feet disappears for a period of time like a switch that controls hyperhidrosis or excessive sweating has been turned off.

Iontophoresis for hyperhidrosis or excessive sweating consists of a fairly basic instrument to temporarily treat excessive sweating of the hands (palmar hyperhidrosis) and feet (plantar hyperhidrosis). Iontophoresis is often the choice for those who have already tried prescription strength hyperhidrosis antiperspirants. For these people, Iontophoresis is more powerful excessive sweating treatment. Iontophoresis maybe set to an individual’s particular hyperhidrosis situation. Iontophoresis for hyperhidrosis has proven to have a fairly good success rate for those with excessively sweaty palms and sweaty feet.

Specifics of the Process of Iontophoresis

Hyperhirdrosis sufferers sit with their sweaty hands or feet, or both, dipped in containers full of water for a period of time, lasting 20 to 40 minutes. The iontophoresis device sends a small electric current through the fluid. Excessive sweating sufferers repeat the procedure every other day for five to ten days. Often times the patients stop the practicing the procedure when the excessive sweating is reduced to a level that thy’re able to cope with. When the correct or desired stoppage of sweating has been achieved, hyperhidrosis sufferers are put on a timeline for iontophersis use. The timeline may vary from once a week to once every few weeks or so, dependant upon the severity of the hyperhidrosis and the particular individual. However, to keep the excessive sweating at bay, as soon as the symptoms return, iontophoresis must again used.

One thing to note is that often times tap water in particular places or regions could be too soft for iontophoresis to be functioning correctly for excessive sweating. The particular minerals or electrolytes may not be present in the areas water supply to give the iontophoresis machine water that can carry current. However, adding ingredients such as baking soda may correct this situation. If the baking soday doesn’t resolve the lack of minerals problem, a prescription medicine under the name of anticholinergic can also be added to the local water. Most of the time this will work and cause the palms and soles from exhibiting signs of hyperhidrosis.

There are a few more complications with iontophoresis for excessive sweating. Pregnant women, those with pacemakers, people with metal implants, heart conditions, and/or epilepsy should never try iontophoresis for their hyperhidrosis. Jewelry of course should be take off before the process starts. Dryness of the skin may also occur, however moisturizers will often take care of this side effect. Skin abrasions, cuts, and hang nails need to be covered with Vaseline or some sort of similar substance that blocks electrical current before the iontophoresis process to prevent irritating the skin. If the hyperhidrosis patient notices that the skin at the top edge of the water becomes dry or irritated, Vaseline can also be applied to that area before the excessive sweating treatment.

Skin irritation from iontophoresis may be treated with any number of ointments or skin care products, such as aloe creams. Most these skin irritation fighting products, such as 1% hydrocortisone creams, are sold over the counter. Often times, excessive sweating patients fear the iontophoresis process. They find the idea of using electric current to stop their hyperhidrosis dreadful, however current is nowhere powerful enough to cause the slightest bit of harm. Most often times, the worst that can happen is that the patient becomes startled. However, there are ways to prevent the initial shock of the process. Iontophoresis may not be used excessive underarm sweating or axillary hyperhidrosis. The area in the pit of the arms most of the time becomes very irritated with the iontopphoresis process. Physically, it is prohibitively difficult to perform iontophoresis for the armpits as patients are put in very uncomfortable and difficult positions.

To achieve success with iontophoresis one must use a technique that only an expert who is well versed in the process knows. Excessive sweating patients must find a healthcare professional who can teach them all of the tricks of using the machine properly. Hyperhidrosis patients should consult with their doctor for a prescription to use a home-use iontophoresis device. When buying an iontophoresis devices, hperhidrosis patients should follow the advice of experts as often times, the less expensive devices yield very little results for the reduction of excess sweating.

The above noted, once hyperhidrosis patients receive their iontophoresis machines, they should ask their doctors to help them with their insurance claim documents, especially if they find it difficult to get their reimbursements from their health insurance carriers. Often times health insurance carriers put quite a bit of obstacles in the way in order to frustrate excessive sweating patients from getting a reimbursement.

Hyperhidrosis is not to be taken lightly and is a serious medical condition that can lead to life altering complications. Patients deserve to get all of the right information from their doctors about thier excessive sweating problem. Hyperhidrosis sufferers should also be reimbursed by their health insurance companies where ever an expense is suffered.

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