Many patients have used electrical stimulation (IONTOPHORESIS) which has proven to be most effective for palmer & plantar hyperhidrosis and pads are now available for axillary hyperhidrosis too.
Nearly all patients have found that they have achieved a complete cessation of sweating after 4-7 treatments. This length of the absence of sweating tends to vary, lasting anything from a few days to several weeks. The patient then undergoes another course of treatment, which should enable them to be 'sweat free' for a further period of time. This treatment can be done as many times as necessary; is safe, cheap and can be practiced at home as sufferers can now buy their own machines for home use.
Hands and/or feet are placed in plastic baths which are filled with water and the current is turned on. Axillae electrodes and pads are placed in the armpit for treating the axillae. This is totally pain-free the the user only experiences a 'pins and needles' time sensation in the hands or feet.
Iontophoresis is defined as the topical introduction of ionized drugs into the skin using direct current. However, iontophoresis with simple tap water alone is successful in a vast majority of patients.
For those few patients who do not get a complete cessation of sweating from tap water Iontophoresis, a drug called Gycopromium Bromide which is available on prescription can be added to the tap water and will give good results.
The exact mechanism for the effects of tap water iontophoresis on hyperhidrosis remains uncertain, however, one school of thought suggests that a parakeratotic plug is formed, blocking the duct without damaging the sweat gland.
These machines are available from www.iontophoresis.info
For further information, please click on the 'treatments available' box on the website home page.