title: A comparison of topical tannic acid versus iontophoresis in the medical treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis.
abstract: This is a report comparing the efficacy of tannic acid lotion (an astringent) and iontophoresis in the medical treatment of idiopathic hyperhidrosis. Ten patients with long-standing symptomatic idiopathic palmar hyperhidrosis were recruited into the study. One palm was treated with daily tannic acid (20%) lotion and the opposite palm with iontophoresis. Visual scoring using a visual analog scale by patients and assessors showed the mean score to be significantly lower on the iontophoresis treated palm than the tannic acid treated palm. There was significant reduction in the severity of hyperhidrosis on the iontophoresis treated palm after treatment. There was also a significant reduction in transepidermal water vapour loss on the iontophoresis treated palms. The study indicated that iontophoresis is an effective medical treatment for idiopathic hyperhidrosis. The disadvantage of iontophoresis is its short-lived effect. Patients need to undergo the treatment weekly to achieve euhidrosis.
authors.affiliation: National Skin Centre, Singapore.
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Goh
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yoyong
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001252:Astringents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006225:Hand; D006801:Humans; D047348:Hydrolyzable Tannins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006945:Hyperhidrosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D007478:Iontophoresis / Q000379:methods; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D001252:Astringents; D047348:Hydrolyzable Tannins