Iontophoresis therapy

One of the most embarrassing medical conditions is called hyperhidrosis or, more commonly, excessive sweating. It affects about three percent of people around the world, which may not sound like much, but it turns out to be a good number of people when you do the math. Hyperhidrosis can affect different people in different ways. For some, they have excessive sweating under the arms. For others, it’s the feet. Still others find that their hands become covered in sweat often. There are a number of different attempted cures for hyperhidrosis, one of which is called iontophoresis therapy. This therapy is successful in many cases, and it doesn’t make use of any drugs or surgery. Iontophoresis therapy also has very few side effects, although it does have a few downsides that may make you elect to go with a different type of therapy.

Iontophoresis therapy involves using a weak electrical currency that stimulates the mineral carrying ions. These ions are passed through the feet or the palms. You simply place your hands or your feet into special metal trays that are filled with water. These trays are connected to a weak electrical device. Once you’ve placed your hands or feet in the water, a technician slowly increases the output of the electrical charge. The entire procedure sounds very painful—after all, you are running an electrical charge through your body—but it is actually completely painless. You won’t feel a thing because the current is very, very low.

So how does iontophoresis therapy work? The concept behind the treatment is that the minerals that the ions bring into your skin temporarily fill up your sweat pores. They form thick deposits inside the pores of the hands and feet. These minerals prevent sweating by blocking up the sweat pores. This means you won’t suffer any sweating at all. The results of iontophoresis are very similar to botox or other types of hyperhidrosis.

Of course, there are a few downsides to iontophoresis therapy. First of all, it only works on excessive sweating of the hands and feet. If you suffer from sweating under the arms or other areas, you’ll need to seek other treatments, such as botox injections. Also, it’s not a permanent treatment. You will have to get repetitive iontophoresis treatments on a regular basis. Some people have to have treatments once a week, sometimes twice. This can eventually add up, costing you a good amount of money. Iontophoresis is one of the more expensive hyperhidrosis treatments, so be ready to pay extra if this is the treatment you want to pursue for your excessive sweating.

As far as side effects go, there are only a few to iontophoresis. Besides the fact that you must have the treatments several times a week, some people have reported feeling a bit of irritation around the skin where it meets the water. This irritation generally only happens during the actual therapy, and it can generally be avoided by rubbing a bit of Vaseline on the skin before you start the therapy. This will completely negate the irritation. Other than this side effect, iontophoresis therapy has no other painful downsides.

To begin iontophoresis therapy, simply speak to your dermatologist or doctor and ask about the therapy. He or she will be able to tell you about iontophoresis options in your area and about the cost. However, in recent years, many doctors have started prescribing more powerful antiperspirants and other hyperhidrosis treatments instead of iontophoresis because of the expensive and the fact that the treatments have to be done several times a week. There are better treatments out there that will last longer and are cheaper.

Last updated on Jan 2nd, 2010 and filed under Alternative Medicine. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

1 Response for “Iontophoresis therapy”

  1. Don says:

    What research is available employing iontophoresis and a diluted form of acedic acid to reduce calcium buildup as in spur formations, spinal stenosis, associated with degenerative spinal disease and spur formations contributing to rotator cuff pain and dysfunction ?

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