What is iontophoresis and how does it work?
Iontophoresis works by using electricity to deliver medication through your skin and into your injured tissues. It is often used to decrease sweating, especially in the hands and feet, but it can also be used in physical therapy to decrease inflammation and scar tissue, and to reduce pain.Jul 14, 2021
What are the benefits of iontophoresis?
Some of the Common Uses for IontophoresisDecrease inflammation.Decrease pain.Decrease muscle spasm.Decrease swelling and edema.Reduce calcium deposits in the body.Manage scar tissue.
What is iontophoresis procedure?
Iontophoresis is a procedure in which an electrical current is passed through skin soaked in tap water (not distilled water), normal saline (0.9%), or a solution containing an anticholinergic medication, which allows ionised (charged) particles to cross the normal skin barrier.
Does iontophoresis really work?
Iontophoresis (pronounced eye-on-toe-for-ree-sis) is a safe and effective treatment that can be used to reduce excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) of the hands, feet, underarms and face (if the necessary attachment is available to go onto the machine).
What drugs are used for iontophoresis?
The medication is delivered by a mild electrical current. The most common drug used with iontophoresis for pain caused by such things as apophysitis of the knee is dexamethasone sodium phosphate (dexamethasone).
What are the side effects of iontophoresis?
Side effects are minimal and most patients have no problems with iontophoresis. There is a temporary tingling sensation during and after treatment. A harmless, but uncomfortable electrical shock may occur if the patient suddenly stops treatment (for example by removing a hand). The skin can become too dry and cracked.
Is iontophoresis permanent treatment?
Treatments will continue indefinitely and can involve a large time commitment, especially in the beginning.Jun 23, 2021
Do you need a prescription for iontophoresis?
Note that a prescription from a physician is often required in the US. For mild to moderate hyperhidrosis, a battery-operated, non-prescription iontophoresis device may suffice but note that their reported sweat reduction rates are often less than that those of plug-in devices.
How much does iontophoresis cost?
Iontophoresis Devices The Drionics® machine is a simple relatively inexpensive battery operated iontophoresis device that costs under $200. RA Fischer® manufactures a more sophisticated iontophoresis device that is FDA approved for treating hyperhidrosis. The MD2 is a digital machine that costs about $975.
Is iontophoresis painful?
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.
Can iontophoresis make sweating worse?
When side effects do occur during studies they are usually mild and don't involve an increase in sweat production.
How can I cure my hyperhidrosis naturally?
Natural remedies to treat hyperhidrosis may include herbal substances such as sage tea or sage tablets, chamomile, valerian root, and St. John's Wort. Acupuncture, biofeedback, hypnosis, and relaxation techniques have also been suggested as potential treatments.
Does iontophoresis help with sweating?
For individuals with hyperhidrosis of the hands and feet, Iontophoresis treatments have shown to substantially decrease high levels of unusual sweating.One study found that Iontophoresis helped 91% of patients with excessive hand and feet sweating, which is sweating of the palms and feet. After completing the initial recommended treatment schedule, up to 85% of people will find relief from their symptoms for the hands and feet
Is it safe to use iontophoresis?
Iontophoresis is widely regarded a safe form of treatment, and side effects are normally limited to moderate “pins and needles” sensations and mild coloring of the skin. In very few instances, painful stinging, itching, and mild shocks can also be experienced by the patient.
What is iontophoresis used for?
Common Uses for Iontophoresis. In rehabilitation medicine, including physical therapy, iontophoresis is used to reduce inflammation that might be seen in musculoskeletal conditions such as lateral epicondylitis, medial epicondylitis, plantar fasciitis, tendo-nitis/bursitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and enthesopathic conditions of various origins.
What drugs can be used for inflammation?
Iontophoresis for Inflammation. There are a number of drugs that can be driven into the subcutaneous tissues including steroids, NSAIDS, local anesthetics, salicylates, and individual substances such as zinc oxide, iodine, acetic acid, and calcium chloride, to name a few.
How long does iontophoresis treatment take?
The treatment is administered clinically for 15-20 minutes per session. In a physical therapy setting, iontophoresis is typically one of several treatment interventions applied, so the addition of another 15-20 minutes to a pre-existing 60 minute program is a time burden for some patients.
How old is the most likely to have calcific tendinitis?
The highest incidence is in adults aged between 30-50 years old. The overall incidence of calcific tendinitis appears to have declined in the last few decades. The epidemiology of the condition seems to favor women more than men, and is more often seen in the dominant shoulder.
What is an electrode patch?
Electrode patches have a unique composition that allows ionic movement into human skin tissue. One patch, for example, is made up of embedded zinc and silver chloride electrodes and is activated when the treatment solution bathing one electrode comes into contact with the saline solution bathing the opposite electrode.
What are nonsurgical treatments?
Nonsurgical treatment remains the standard of care and reports show that conservative methods such as ultrasound, cold laser, iontophoresis, phonophoresis and therapeutic exercise applications can eventually lead to full restoration of function . 6.
What is the main barrier to drug transport?
This article will focus on iontophoresis, a form of transdermal drug delivery (TDD) that utilizes electrical current to drive or push ionized drugs through the skin’s outermost layer (stratum corneum) which is typically the main barrier to drug transport.
How many patients are in the Iontophoresis study?
Approximately 147 patients will be enrolled in this study. Iontophoresis is a treatment that allows medication to be delivered across your skin to the painful area without having to have an injection into your muscle or soft tissue, through a vein in your arm, or taking a pill.
What is phase 2 iontophoresis?
Detailed Description: Iontophoresis is a treatment that allows medication to be delivered across your skin to the painful area without having to have an injection into your muscle or soft tissue, through a vein in your arm, or taking a pill.
What is the presence of active dermatologic conditions in the affected area?
Presence of active dermatologic conditions in the affected area (e.g., eczema, psoriasis) Presence of an abnormal neurological exam that indicates the subject would have a reduced ability to perceive pain (e.g. peripheral neuropathy) Has a known sensitivity to electrical current. Is currently taking systemic steroids.
Is dexamethasone a steroid?
Dexamethasone is a steroid medication that has been approved by the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat many types of problems (such as joint problems, skin and allergy problems, eye, stomach, and lung problems), but has not been approved to treat apophysitis of the knee using iontophoresis.
Is there a unit of measure for a criteria?
There are no units of measure for any of the criteria listed as they are either achieved/passed or not achieved/failed based on the criteria listed. Once all criteria can be passed, this date is noted. The number of days from Visit 1 to the date when all criteria are achieved is calculated.
What is iontophoresis used for?
Iontophoresis, a type of electrical stimulation that is used to administer specific medication into your body, is a therapeutic modality commonly used in physical therapy. It is often used to treat a variety of different conditions.
What is the best medication for iontophoresis?
Dexamethasone. Dexamethasone is a common anti-inflammatory medication used during iontophoresis treatments in many physical therapy clinics. 1 It is helpful in decreasing localized inflammation that occurs in musculoskeletal conditions such as tendonitis or bursitis.
What is the treatment for scar tissue?
Chlorine. Chlorine is a negatively charged ion used in iontophoresis in the treatment of scar tissue and keloid scars. 3 Your physical therapist may use this to augment other treatments for your scar tissue, like stretching and scar tissue massage . 4.
What is hyaluronidase used for?
Hyaluronidase is a medication used to help treat soft tissue edema or swelling. 4 If you have swelling after injury or surgery, it may be effective in the acute or chronic stages of healing to help manage edema.
Do physical therapists need a prescription for iontophoresis?
Before administering any medication using iontophoresis, your physical therapist should review all other medications that you are taking. He or she should also consult your doctor, as many states in the U.S. require that a prescription is obtained before administering medication via iontophoresis.
How long does it take for palmar hyperhidrosis to improve?
Limited robust data is available; however some studies suggested that up to 80-85% of patients with palmar hyperhidrosis notice subjective improvement in their symptoms within 2–4 weeks.
How does iontophoresis reduce sweating?
The mechanism of action of iontophoresis in reducing sweating is not completely understood. Sweat forms in response to an electrical gradient produced by sympathetic nerve activity on the cells of the sweat gland. There are several theories as to how a change in electrical gradient reduces sweat production.
What is iontophoresis used for?
Iontophoresis has been used to reduce sweating and enhances the delivery of drugs and macromolecules into and through the skin.
What is iontophoresis in medical terms?
Iontophoresis is a procedure in which an electrical current is passed through skin soaked in tap water or normal saline (0.9%), allowing ionized (charged) particles to cross the normal skin barrier.
What are the effects of cutaneous iontophoresis?
Besides these uncomfortable but harmless effects, skin irritation is the most common local adverse effect of cutaneous iontophoresis. It occurs at both the anode and the cathode.
What are the side effects of iontophoresis?
Adverse effects may include: Redness of treated skin. Small blisters (vesicles) or pompholyx. Dry and cracked skin or dermatitis. Although these side effects from iontophoresis are expected to resolve within a few days, emollients/moisturisers should be applied several times daily to reduce symptoms.
Can iontophoresis be used for epileptics?
Iontophoresis contraindications. Iontophoresis should not be used by: Patients who are epileptic or have a history of seizures. Patients should delay treatment if they have recent wounds, skin grafts, or scars in the area requiring treatment, as iontophoresis may be painful and the treatment less effective.
What Is Hyperhidrosis?
Hyperhidrosis is when you sweat a lot more than normal. It is not related to exercise or temperature. You may sweat so much you soak your clothes.
How Iontophoresis Is Performed
During iontophoresis, you’ll sit with both hands or both feet or one hand and one foot in a shallow tray filled with tap water. The machine will send a small electrical current through the water.
Is Iontophoresis Effective?
Iontophoresis has been shown to be very effective in treating focal hyperhidrosis that involves the hands and feet.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Iontophoresis
Successful iontophoresis will depend on you. Treatments will continue indefinitely and can involve a large time commitment, especially in the beginning. Here are some tips to help you get started:
What Are Other Treatments for Hyperhidrosis?
Iontophoresis is not usually the first treatment option for hyperhidrosis. Your doctor may suggest you try other treatments before trying iontophoresis. You may also need other types of treatment if iontophoresis doesn't work for you. Some other treatment options may include:
Why is iontophoresis used for 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.
How long does iontophoresis last?
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.
What is iontophoretic treatment?
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.
Why do I have iontophoresis?
Aside from treating hyperhidrosis, iontophoresis may also be used to treat sports injuries by delivering anti-inflammatory medications directly into the skin.
Does iontophoresis help with bursitis?
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 long does it take for a sports injury 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.
Is iontophoresis painful?
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 ...
How Iontophoresis Work
Procedure
- Before applying iontophoresis, your PT must first decide on which type of medication to use. The medication used in iontophoresis depends on the goals of the treatment. Different medications have different effects on the body, and your PT will decide on the best medication for your specific condition. Many states require that your PT obtain a prescription from your healthcare p…
What to Expect
- When your physical therapist applies iontophoresis to your body, he or she uses an electrical stimulation device. When the electrical current is turned on, you will likely feel a slight tingling sensation. Sometimes the stimulation feels like a tiny bee sting. If you are uncomfortable during the iontophoresis treatment, notify your physical therapist and adjustments can be made. A typi…
Side Effects
- Iontophoresis is a safe procedure, and side effects are minimal. While receiving the stimulation, you may feel a slight pin prick tingling sensation. Redness may also occur underneath the electrodes used for it. Some patients notice some dryness or rough skin in the area where the iontophoresis was administered. This can be mitigated by using skin lotion over the area severa…
Contraindications
- While generally considered safe, the procedure is not without its limitations and safety issues. When used for systemic drug delivery, iontophoresis machines are classified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a class 3 device alongside total artificial disc replacements and implanted neurostimulators.4
Evidence
- If your physical therapist considers using iontophoresis for your treatment, you should know if it is likely to be of benefit for your condition. Studies investigating iontophoresis have been performed, some of which are promising than eithe. A 2015 study published in the journal Physiotherapy examined the role of lidocaine iontophoresis in the treatment of spasticity in children with cereb…