When being used as a treatment for hyperhidrosis, iontophoresis is often performed at a doctor's office. However, you may be able to perform the treatments at home if you purchase the machine. You'll place the affected body part in a basin of water.
What voltage should I use for iontophoresis?
Iontophoresis Apparatuses The direct current source must be able to generate a voltage of about 60 V in order to maintain amperage of 10–30 mA even in situations with high skin resistance.
What machine is used for iontophoresis?
A direct current electrical stimulation unit is used to apply iontophoresis. The unit has two electrodes; one electrode is for the negative current, and one is for the positive current.
How do you do iontophoresis at home?
Instructions for using iontophoresis devices will vary (always follow your healthcare provider's or device maker's recommendations) but, in general, patients sit with both hands or both feet, or one hand and one foot, immersed in shallow trays filled with tap water for a short period of time (15 to 40 minutes depending
Who can perform iontophoresis?
One such treatment is iontophoresis. Iontophoresis is a therapeutic modality often used by physical therapists to treat a variety of conditions. It is a type of electrical stimulation that is used to administer medication into your body through your skin.
Do you need a prescription for iontophoresis?
You'll need a prescription from your doctor to buy a plug-in device to use at home, and your insurance may cover its cost. If plain tap water or tap water with baking soda isn't effective for you, your doctor may prescribe an anticholinergic, which is a medicine used to treat hyperhidrosis.
How quickly does iontophoresis work?
In most cases, iontophoresis takes at least two weeks of consistent use to show results. Sometimes it can take even longer. [2] For a patient dealing with burdensome symptoms, that is a long time, and it can lead some to change their treatment plan prematurely.
What voltage is used in iontophoresis?
Iontophoresis applies a small low voltage (typically 10 V or less) continuous constant current (typically 0.5 mA/cm2 or less) to push a charged drug into skin or other tissue.
How much current is needed for iontophoresis?
Iontophoresis is a non-invasive, electrically assisted technique in which a physiologically acceptable amount of electric current (up to 0.5 mA/cm2) is used to facilitate transdermal delivery of charged and neutral molecules [10,29].
How do I make iontophoresis work better?
Turning up the voltage can make iontophoresis more efficient if a lower voltage setting is not working. Unfortunately, a higher voltage is more likely to cause irritation and can make sessions more uncomfortable. Increasing the length of an iontophoresis session can also help in some circumstances.
What type of current is used in iontophoresis?
The iontophoresis process uses two types of voltage supply—direct current and alternating current. The most commonly used method is direct current iontophoresis [8].
Can you do iontophoresis twice a day?
The process of iontophoresis must be performed twice daily for 3-4 weeks. The results will last for several weeks before the procedure needs to be repeated. With the proper device, you can complete the treatment at home.
Is iontophoresis safe long-term?
No loss of efficacy was found during that period. Side effects were minimal and depended upon amperage used. Only slight discomfort during treatment and mild short-lasted skin irritation were observed. Long-term side effects did not occur.