Treatment of hyperhidrosis by a battery-operated iontophoretic device.
A new iontophoretic device was utilized in the treatment of hyperhidrosis axillaris (5 patients), hyperhidrosis manuum (12 patients) and hyperhidrosis pedum (10 patients). Unilateral treatment was carried out daily for 3 weeks. Degree of sweat inhibition was assessed quantitatively in relation to the untreated control side by means of hygrometry and also estimated by a colorimetric method. In 3 patients with palmar hyperhidrosis and in 2 patients with plantar hyperhidrosis sweating returned to normal levels, thus hyperhidrosis was completely curbed. A moderate reduction of sweat rates was induced in 4 patients on palms and in 3 patients on soles. In the remaining group sweat inhibition was only slight. In treatment of palmo-plantar hyperhidrosis side effects were minimal. Axillary hyperhidrosis was only moderately reduced in some patients. Skin irritation due to iontophoresis posed a problem.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001365:Axilla; D011211:Electric Power Supplies; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot; D006225:Hand; D006801:Humans; D006945:Hyperhidrosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D007478:Iontophoresis / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013542:Sweat / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors