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IONTOPHORESIS


Medically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, Ph.D., MSN — By Erica Roth and Dana
Robinson — Updated on February 8, 2021
 * Purpose
 * Preparation
 * Procedure
 * Hyperhidrosis
 * Sports injuries
 * Cancer
 * Effectiveness

WHAT IS IONTOPHORESIS?

During iontophoresis, a medical device uses mild electrical currents to deliver
medication across biological membranes, often while your affected body part is
submerged in water.



Iontophoresis is most commonly used to treat hyperhidrosis disorder, a condition
that results in persistent and excessive sweating.

The currents are often delivered to the hands, feet, or armpits to block your
sweat glands temporarily. Some feel a slight tingling sensation during the
procedure, but the electrical current isn’t strong enough to shock you.

This sweating may occur in certain situations, such as during warm weather or
physical activity, or without any trigger at all. It can also be caused by
medical conditions, such as hyperthyroidism or menopause.

Aside from treating hyperhidrosis, iontophoresis may also be used to treat
sports injuries by delivering anti-inflammatory medications directly into the
skin.


WHY IS IONTOPHORESIS PERFORMED?

Everyone sweats, but some people sweat more than others. People who frequently
experience excessive or constant sweating for no apparent reason may have a
condition called hyperhidrosis disorder.

Iontophoresis is one type of treatment that can be used to relieve symptoms of
this condition. People with hyperhidrosis may undergo several iontophoresis
sessions per week, each lasting about 20 to 40 minutes.

Doctors aren’t exactly sure why iontophoresis helps people with hyperhidrosis.
However, it’s believed that the procedure blocks sweat from coming out of the
sweat glands, temporarily stopping sweating.

Though iontophoresis is most often used to treat severe sweating, it may also be
used to treat a variety of sports injuries.

Adding anti-inflammatory medicines to the water during iontophoresis can ease
heel pain and other soft-tissue injuries.

The electrical current helps the skin easily absorb the medications.
Iontophoresis can be especially effective in reducing swelling around the joints
and relieving pain.

However, sprains or bursitis may respond well to this type of treatment.

HOW DO I PREPARE FOR IONTOPHORESIS?

Iontophoresis doesn’t require any special or advanced preparation. However, make
sure to tell your doctor if you:

 * are pregnant
 * have epilepsy
 * have a heart condition
 * have a pacemaker or other metal implants, such as artificial joint
   replacements

You may not be able to undergo iontophoresis if you have any of the above
medical conditions or devices. If this is the case, your doctor will recommend
other options.

If you can undergo iontophoresis, it helps to apply a small amount of petroleum
jelly to any cuts or scratches on your skin before beginning a session. This
will protect open wounds from irritation during treatment.

If you’re performing an iontophoresis treatment at home, it’s also beneficial to
add a teaspoon of baking soda to the water beforehand. This will regulate the pH
level of the water and help ensure treatment is effective.



WHAT HAPPENS DURING IONTOPHORESIS?

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. Your healthcare
provider will then turn on the machine and increase the current until you feel a
slight tingling sensation on your skin. This shouldn’t cause any pain.

IONTOPHORESIS FOR HYPERHIDROSIS

Most iontophoresis sessions for hyperhidrosis last 25 to 45 minutes. However,
you’ll likely need more than one session to notice a change in your symptoms.

Some people with hyperhidrosis require treatments on a regular basis. Your
doctor will schedule a series of sessions based on your symptoms. They may
recommend that you buy a portable machine to use at home.



IONTOPHORESIS FOR A SPORTS INJURY

When being used as a treatment for a sports injury, iontophoresis is always
performed at a doctor’s office. Your healthcare provider will add an
anti-inflammatory medication to a basin of water, and you’ll place the injured
area in the water.

Then, your doctor will apply a mild electrical current to the medicated water.
You’ll feel a tingling sensation from the electrical current, but it shouldn’t
be painful.

Most iontophoresis sessions for sports injuries last 10 to 15 minutes. Your
doctor may order several sessions per week until your injury begins to heal.

Iontophoresis is a safe and painless procedure. Some people may experience side
effects as a result of iontophoresis, but the effects usually aren’t serious.

The most common side effect is dryness of the skin. Blistering, peeling, and
irritation might also occur on the skin.

However, these side effects can usually be treated by applying moisturizer to
the skin after each session. An over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream can also
help make you more comfortable.

IONTOPHORESIS FOR CANCER

Iontophoretic devices have been used to deliver a variety of anti-cancer agents.

These devices have shown promise in pre-clinical and clinical studies for
retinoblastoma (a type of eye cancer), skin, bladder, and pancreatic cancers.

Chemotherapeutic agents to treat head and neck cancers can also be delivered
using iontophoresis.

Local iontophoretic chemotherapy treatment leads to the reduction of drug side
effects and is suggested for drugs that are too toxic when delivered
systemically.

Anti-cancer drugs that can be administered via iontophoretic devices include
cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil, which are used to treat skin cancer.

Other anti-cancer drugs, including imatinib mesylate and STAT3 siRNA complex can
also be administered via iontophoresis.


HOW EFFECTIVE IS IONTOPHORESIS?

Iontophoresis is generally effective in treating hyperhidrosis. People often
undergo 20- to 40-minute treatment sessions several times per week until
sweating decreases to a desirable level.

At that point, treatments are scheduled less frequently, usually about once per
week.

Iontophoresis treatments must be done regularly and before sweating increases to
maintain results.

Ongoing iontophoresis treatments for sports injuries are only needed until an
injury begins to heal.

Most people with sports injuries undergo a handful of 5- to 10-minute treatment
sessions over the span of a week or two to promote healing.

After that point, physical therapy, rest, and proper nutrition will continue
aiding the healing process.

In a study involving a patient with basal cell carcinoma, the effectiveness of
the iontophoresis treatment was confirmed by biopsies, which revealed no
evidence of basal cell carcinoma.



Last medically reviewed on February 8, 2021


HOW WE REVIEWED THIS ARTICLE:

Sources
History
Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies,
academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using
tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is
accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
 * Byrne JD, et al. (2018). Use of iontophoresis for the treatment of cancer.
   https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0168365918303687
 * Iontophoresis. (n.d.).
   http://www.sweathelp.org/en/hyperhidrosis-treatments/iontophoresis
 * Karpiński TM. (2018). Selected medicines used in iontophoresis.
   https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6320882/

Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our
articles when new information becomes available.

Current Version

Feb 8, 2021

Written By

Erica Roth, Dana Robinson

Medically Reviewed By

Deborah Weatherspoon, Ph.D., MSN

Copy Edited By

Delores Smith-Johnson

Share this article



Medically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, Ph.D., MSN — By Erica Roth and Dana
Robinson — Updated on February 8, 2021





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