Iontophoresis is a medical procedure that uses a gentle electric current to temporarily increase the permeability of the skin, allowing drugs to pass through. It is used for drug delivery, testing for cystic fibrosis, and treating conditions such as hyperhidrosis, plantar faciitis, and bursitis. However, it is not recommended for people with pacemakers, heart problems, epilepsy, or pregnant women. The treatment can be drying to the skin, and moisturizers are recommended after treatments to reduce dryness.
Iontophoresis is a medical procedure in which a gentle electric current is applied to the skin. This electric current serves to temporarily increase the permeability of the skin, allowing drugs to pass through what would normally be a barrier. This process is used as a method of drug delivery and for testing for cystic fibrosis.
The basis of many types of iontophoresis treatment is the fact that when a gentle electric current is applied to the skin, it becomes more permeable. This means that pores such as sweat glands and hair follicles are more receptive to absorbing chemicals. Many physical therapists use the procedure for this reason. When used in this way, anti-inflammatory drugs can be delivered through the skin, allowing the physical therapist to more directly target an area of the body that needs treatment. A heel condition called plantar faciitis and an inflammatory disease called bursitis can both be treated using this method of drug delivery.
A nervous system condition called hyperhidrosis can also be treated with iontophoresis. Hyperhidrosis causes increased sweating, especially in the hands and feet. This condition develops because the body’s sympathetic nervous system cannot adequately control the body’s temperature, particularly in the extremities. As a result, the hands, feet and other places such as the chest, armpits and back sweat excessively.
Iontophoresis can help treat this problem; however, exactly how this treatment helps reduce symptoms of hyperhidrosis is not known. The prevailing theory is that electrical stimulation serves to thicken the outer layer of skin, reducing the flow of sweat to the skin’s surface. This treatment is generally used only for hyperhidrosis of the palms and soles. During the procedure, a patient must sit with their hands or feet immersed in a shallow water bath, while a gentle electric current is passed through the water. This treatment can be repeated every two weeks until sweating is reduced.
Another use for the procedure is as a diagnostic test for cystic fibrosis. This hereditary disease causes excessive mucus production and significantly shortens the life span of the patient. The simplest diagnostic marker to measure is the level of chloride in sweat, as people with cystic fibrosis have a markedly increased level of chloride in their sweat. During the test, a sweat-inducing chemical is applied to the skin; iontophoresis is then performed to favor the stimulation of the sweat glands. Sweat is collected on filter paper and analyzed for the presence of chloride.
People who wear pacemakers, have heart problems or have epilepsy should not use this treatment. Also, it could be dangerous for pregnant women. Aside from the increased risk for these groups of people, the side effects of iontophoresis are minimal. The treatment can be drying to the skin; moisturizers are recommended after treatments to reduce dryness. Abrasions on the skin area to be treated should be covered with petroleum jelly or a similar substance before treatment begins to prevent irritation.
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