Summary of the study: Long-Term Efficacy and Side Effects of Tap Water Iontophoresis of Palmoplantar Hyperhidrosis
This study had 3 goals:
- To demonstrate the effectiveness of tap water iontophoresis by quantitative measurements,
- to show possible long-term side effects,
- and to test the practical benefits of a HIDREX home treatment device.
To answer the research questions, 71 patients with hyperhidrosis of the hands or feet were examined, with most patients (84.5%) suffering from excessive sweating on both hands and feet. Three methods were chosen to measure the effectiveness: a gravimetric measurement of sweat volume, a semiquantitative estimation of the degree of perspiration by impressions of perspiring skin areas on special paper (colorimetric measurement), and a measurement of skin temperature.
Results:
- The reduction of sweating during treatment was measurable with all three methods. A gradual relief of the hidrosis began to occur after 3-5 treatments. After an average of 12 treatments on the hands and 10 treatments on the feet, the amount of sweat could be normalised. Skin temperature measurements before and after the therapy showed an average increase in temperature of 3.5 degrees.
The treatment thus stopped more than the excessive sweating. It also affected symptoms associated with hyperhidrosis such as a blue discoloration of the hands or soles, hypothermia of the fingers and toes, and swelling of the fingers and toes.
- The effect of tap water iontophoresis therapy is reversible. A complete inhibition of hyperhidrosis lasted only 1-2 weeks. On average, patients had to perform 1.3 treatments a week to keep their sweating at normal levels. No long-term side effects were noted.
- There were no significant differences in efficacy or side effects between the HIDREX home treatment device and the control device. Nevertheless, some patients felt very little discomfort when using the HIDREX device.
(cf. Hölzle, E., Alberti, N.: Long-Term Efficacy and Side Effects of Tap Water Iontophoresis of Palmoplantar Hyperhidrosis – the Usefulness of Home Therapy, In: Dermatologica 175: 126-135 (1987)).
