Effects and maintenance of alumpotas, normal saline and tap water iontophoresis on idiopathic hyperhidrosis

Abstract

Introduction: Hyperhidrosis is a benign condition that is identical in both genders and the prevalence has been mentioned one to 2.9 percent. The disease affects people socially, occupationally, emotionally and in daily life sometimes it becomes undesirable. Hyperhidrosis is divided into general and local or primary and secondary types. Different treatment methods have been suggested according to the sweating area in the body, such as iontophoresis. In this method, with different materials, galvanic flow influences the ionized solution on the area being treated. Objective: The objective of this stydy was to compare the effects of the alum potas, normal saline, and tap water iontophoresis on the idiopathic hyper hydrosis. Materials and Methods: In this triple blinded study, according to inclusion criteria, 21 participants were selected by availability and non-random sampling method and they were divided into three groups. All individuals in each group at first session were considered as controls. Then, iontophoresis conducted at 8 sessions and the amount of sweating was measured before and after intervention. Also in three participants, sweat combinations was measured for non-infected individuals. Results: Normal Saline and Alum potas groups showed a significant decrease in sweating in some sessions. This significant difference was not specific to the right or left hand. Reducing sweating in the alum potas group was seen at the first sessions and for the normal saline group reduction was seen during before the last session. The most satisfaction was reported in patients with normal saline. There was no change in sweating after tap water intervention. Discussion: The results of this study were consistent with the results of other studies in the effect of normal saline, but the mechanism of the effect of iontophoresis on any substance was not specified. To find the difference between the effects of positive and negative ions on hyperhydrosis and its mechanism of action, further studies are needed. Conclusion: The effect of iontophoresis of normal saline and alum potas on hypereodrosis is the reduction in the amount of sweating in people with hyperhydrosis.