HYPERHIDROSIS TREATMENT
How is IONOPHORESIS carried out ?
The hands or feet are immersed in two trays with 1-2cm of water. The bottom of each tray, or in some cases the side, has a conducting electrode (silicone, steel, stainless steel, screw head). The two electrodes are connected to a continuous current generator which can be adjusted from 0 to 20 or 30 mA. Under the Levit method, the hyperhidrosis sufferer is subjected to a current of around 20mA for around 10 minutes in one direction and the same in the other direction, i.e. with the polarities reversed.
After 5 sessions, there is a perceptible reduction in hyperhidrosis and after 20 sessions, most patients display complete anhydrosis. If patients stop treatment altogether, the hyperhidrosis comes back after an average of 10-20 days (in our experience).
All opinions converge on a return of hyperhidrosis after stoppage of treatment.
What are the other methods of treating hyperhidrosis ?
* Creams based on aluminium salts reduce hyperhidrosis over time but are irritant and costly,
* Thoracic sympathectomy for hyperhidrosis of the hands, which has numerous disadvantages: a delicate surgical operation under local, regional or general anaesthetic, risk of pneumothorax, shift of perspiration to the back, forehead or thorax, very dry hands.
To conclude, with a 99% success rate when practised in regularly weekly sessions, ionophoresis is the best method of treating perspiration of the hands, feet and underarms.