Hyperhidrosis, or Abnormal Sweating
Many people suffer from the symptoms of abnormal sweating (medically known as hyperhidrosis). Without a specific cause - such as extreme heat or stress - "water runs off them." If you are affected, you might also struggle a lot with this problem. You may try a variety of cosmetics, medicines, recently even botox treatments, or may even undergo surgery. However, these only truly work for a few people. [...]
Many people suffer from the symptoms of abnormal sweating (medically called hyperhidrosis). Without any particular cause - such as excessive heat or stress - they "are dripping with sweat." If you suffer from this, you may struggle considerably with the problem. You might try a plethora of cosmetics, medicines, more recently botox treatments, and even surgery. However, these are effective for only few people. Nowadays, tap water iontophoresis is being "rediscovered". It has been used for nearly 50 years, but only in recent times have devices become truly effective. So much so, that recent studies show that more than 90% of treated patients experience favorable effects. Let's take a closer look at the method.
What is sweating?
Sweating is your body's natural tool for regulating body temperature, primarily protecting it from overheating. Sweating itself is a "normal" and necessary function whose role is thermoregulation.
Your body contains millions of sweat-producing glands.
Sweating increases with heat, physical activity, stress, infectious diseases, and consumption of strongly spiced, hot foods. These activate the sweat glands, increasing sweat production.
Spicy foods such as chili peppers contain components that send signals to the brain to perceive an increased body temperature, which leads to enhanced sweating.
Abnormal sweating occurs when you sweat more than expected based on environmental temperature, activity level, or stress. This can interfere with daily activities, causing social anxiety or embarrassment.
The condition known as hyperhidrosis can affect the whole body (generalized) or only specific areas (localized), most often the palms, soles, underarms, or face.
Sweat combined with bacteria and fungi on the skin that produce fatty acids can cause a characteristic odor.
DermaDry Total Hyperhidrosis Treatment Device
The DermaDry Total is designed for home use and provides a very simple solution for treating excessive sweating of the palms, soles, and underarms.
What is hyperhidrosis?
Some people's sweat glands are excessively active for unknown reasons and produce large amounts of sweat continuously without justification. This phenomenon is known as abnormal sweating or hyperhidrosis, affecting about 5% of the world's population.
Hyperhidrosis is a condition where the body excessively sweats regardless of environmental temperature or physical activity.
It typically affects the underarms, palms, soles, and face, but the neck, back, chest, and thighs can also be affected.
Types of Hyperhidrosis
There are two main types: primary and secondary hyperhidrosis.
Primary hyperhidrosis is generally hereditary and results from overactive sweat glands.
This condition usually appears in childhood or adolescence and results from hyperactivity of the sympathetic nervous system responsible for thermoregulation.
Faulty nerves leading to sweat glands cause intense sweat secretion even without proper cause.
Sweat glands are always “on” and do not require heat or physical activity as a trigger.
Secondary hyperhidrosis usually arises from an underlying disease or condition such as thyroid overactivity, diabetes, or as a side effect of certain medications.
It typically appears in adulthood and may include symptoms like palpitations, tremors, or insomnia along with excessive sweating.
The people suffering from hyperhidrosis sweat 4-5 times more than average. The amount of sweat significantly exceeds what the body requires for temperature regulation.
Which diseases can cause abnormal sweating?
Secondary hyperhidrosis can be a symptom of various diseases. It often associates with conditions like obesity, high alcohol consumption, heavy smoking, or regular aspirin use.
Psychological problems, workplace or school stress, and anxiety are often linked with increased sweating.
For women, hormonal changes during menstruation or menopause can increase sweating.
Pubertal sweating, especially in the underarm area caused by growth and increased activity of apocrine glands, is common.
In all these cases, increased sweating is a natural reaction, but less commonly it can be a symptom of disease.
Health conditions causing increased sweating include:
Acromegaly
A hormonal disorder caused by excess growth hormone production from the pituitary gland during adulthood.
Excess growth hormone leads to enlarged bones limited to the hands, feet, and facial bones, causing noticeable changes.
Diagnosis can be delayed due to gradual onset. If untreated, it can lead to severe health complications, but therapy may reduce risks and improve symptoms including facial asymmetry.
Diabetic Hypoglycemia
Occurs when a diabetic has insufficient blood glucose, the main fuel for body and brain. Blood sugar below 70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L) qualifies as hypoglycemia.
Early warning signs require prompt treatment with sugar sources like glucose tablets or juice. Inform family and friends about symptoms and emergency actions if you cannot self-care.
Infections
Medication Side Effects
Sometimes caused by certain beta blockers (for blood pressure) and antidepressants.
Leukemia
Cancer of blood-forming tissues, including bone marrow and lymphatic system. Several types affect children or adults differently. Characterized by abnormal overproduction of dysfunctional white blood cells. Treatment is complex and varies; some methods ensure success.
Lymphoma
Cancer of the lymphatic system, part of the body's defense. Includes lymph nodes, spleen, thymus, and bone marrow. Numerous types exist, majorly Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Treatment depends on type and severity, involving chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation, bone marrow transplant, or combinations.
Malaria
A parasitic disease transmitted by infected mosquito bites. It causes severe symptoms with high fever and chills. Common in tropical and subtropical areas affecting nearly 290 million people yearly, with over 400,000 deaths. Prevention includes prophylactic drugs and insecticide-treated bed nets. WHO recommends vaccines for children in highly affected regions. Protective clothing and repellents help during travel. Some parasites have developed drug resistance.
Fever of Unknown Origin
Temporary elevation of body temperature often due to disease, signaling abnormal activity in the body. Generally not alarming below 39.4 °C for adults but may indicate serious infection in infants and toddlers. Fever often resolves in a few days and can support fighting infections.
Menopause
Marks the end of menstrual cycles, diagnosed after 12 months without menstruation. Average age in Hungary is 50.5 years. It's a natural biological process with symptoms like hot flashes, which, combined with emotional factors, can disrupt sleep and affect energy and mental health. Various effective treatments exist from lifestyle changes to hormone therapy.
Adrenal Tumor
A rare, usually benign tumor in the adrenal glands located atop the kidneys. It may affect one or both adrenal glands and secretes hormones causing hypertension, headaches, sweating, and panic symptoms. Blood pressure fluctuates strongly, complicating diagnosis. Usually monitored over nine days. Untreated, it can cause severe or life-threatening damage. Mostly diagnosed between ages 20 and 50; surgery usually normalizes blood pressure.
Neurological Diseases
Thyroid Overactivity
Occurs when the thyroid produces excess thyroxine hormone, accelerating metabolism and causing unintentional weight loss and irregular heartbeat. Various treatments including thyroid-reducing drugs and radioactive iodine are available, sometimes requiring surgery. Most patients respond well to timely diagnosis and treatment.
Tuberculosis (TB)
A potentially serious infectious disease mainly affecting lungs, spread through airborne droplets. TB cases increased in the 1980s partly due to HIV epidemic, which weakens immunity. In Hungary, social changes increased TB cases; though numbers have declined since 1996, concern remains. Many strains resist common medications; treatment requires multiple drugs over months to cure and prevent resistance.
Abnormal sweating often accompanies these diseases. For accurate diagnosis, always consult your doctor or healthcare professional.
Medical Treatment of Hyperhidrosis
Treatment depends on the type of hyperhidrosis.
For primary hyperhidrosis, treatment begins with antiperspirants like powders and deodorants; if ineffective (which is common), botox injections are considered. Botox blocks nerves to sweat glands, halting sweating for months but must be repeated. This can be expensive with costs of 60-80 thousand HUF per treatment for a single hand or foot.
More drastic and permanent is surgical cutting of the sympathetic nerve.
For secondary hyperhidrosis, the underlying disease (thyroid, diabetes, hormonal issues, etc.) must be treated. When resolved, excessive sweating usually ceases.
Hyperhidrosis can cause psychological effects like anxiety, depression, or social isolation, so sufferers should seek medical and psychological support.
Home Treatment of Hyperhidrosis
Currently, there is no permanent cure for primary abnormal sweating without identifiable cause.
Symptomatic treatments temporarily (varies individually from weeks to months) reduce or eliminate symptoms.
One effective method is iontophoresis. Clinical use began mid-20th century, though known since the 18th century (work of Luigi Galvani, 1786 and Alessandro Volta, 1790).
Breakthroughs occurred only in the last 10-15 years. Modern therapeutic devices (e.g., Dermadry device) now achieve over 95% effectiveness, meaning 95% of patients report symptom reduction or disappearance.
DermaDry Total Hyperhidrosis Treatment Device
The DermaDry Total is designed for home use and provides a very simple solution for treating excessive sweating of the palms, soles, and underarms.
Today, tap water iontophoresis is considered one of the safest, easiest, and most effective treatments for hyperhidrosis.
The International Hyperhidrosis Society, a professional organization of doctors treating abnormal sweating, has long recommended this as the first-choice method.
It is effective even if all other conventional treatments (cosmetics, medications, botox, acupuncture, etc.) have failed.
The treatment is safe, needle-free, and free of medication. Mild pulsed electric current is passed through the skin in the affected area.
The treatment with appropriate frequency and intensity "separates" the connection between the sweat glands and the autonomic nerves giving faulty signals, thus eliminating the sweating caused by incorrect nerve signals.
A two-week course can stop or significantly reduce sweating for weeks. Importantly: it is successful in almost every case!
What is tap water iontophoresis?
To understand iontophoresis better, let's break down the word itself.
- Ion = electrically charged molecule
- Phorese = process involving the migration of charged particles under the influence of direct electric current in electrolyte fluids. Positive ions (cations) migrate toward the negatively charged cathode, while negative ions (anions) move toward the positively charged anode.
- Iontophoresis = movement of ionized (electrically charged) particles by electrical current
Iontophoresis is a form of electrotherapy where mild electric current is passed through the affected area (hands, feet, or underarms). The current "carries" electrically charged particles dissolved in water into the body.
The most accepted theory suggests this inhibits sympathetic nerve transmission, effectively "switching off" sweat glands. It neutralizes the signal between nerves and glands, thereby reducing or completely blocking sweat production in the treated area. Alternative theories propose that iontophoresis causes blockage of sweat glands by depositing ions that form temporary "plugs."
Regardless of the mechanism, excellent treatment results are achievable.
Important Things to Know Before Sweating Treatment
- Only undergo iontophoresis if there are no contraindications. These match the contraindications for other electrotherapy treatments. Follow device manufacturer's instructions.
- Expect mild tingling during treatment.
- Electric current used is too weak to cause harm.
- Avoid iontophoresis if pregnant, have a pacemaker, heart disease, or epilepsy. Consult your doctor if unsure.
- Remove all jewelry such as rings or bracelets before treatment.
- If your skin has wounds or scratches, apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly before treatment to protect from soaking. Use sparingly, as it hinders iontophoresis.
- Treatment may cause mild reddening of skin which usually subsides in minutes. Consult your doctor if it persists.
- If skin dries excessively, use moisturizer after treatment.
What Determines Effectiveness?
Mainly the waveform of the electric current applied by the device.
The best results are expected from devices specially made for treating abnormal sweating (e.g., Dermadry), which use pulsed current (alternation of current and pause phases).
Other home electrotherapy devices may offer TENS (pain relief), EMS (muscle stimulation), and iontophoresis with constant (non-pulsed) current, primarily designed for joint pain. This older type of iontophoresis is about 40-50% less effective in sweating treatment than pulsed current devices.
What Water to Use?
Simple tap water is needed for treatment! Water quality may vary by location. Too soft water may decrease effectiveness as it lacks sufficient minerals or electrolytes (tiny charged particles). Do NOT use softened water!
If the effect of tap water treatment is mild, try these:
- Add a teaspoon of baking soda to the water during each treatment.
- Some clinicians find salt water more effective; add a quarter teaspoon (1 gram) of table salt to the water for treatment.
Though purchasing a specialized abnormal sweating treatment device may seem expensive, the cost can be offset by long-term use (even decades) with no additional expenses. Excessive sweating often affects multiple family members, so the device can be used by the whole family.
Hand and Foot Sweating Treatment with Iontophoresis
Treatment is done similarly with both pulsed and traditional iontophoresis devices. Let's review the steps.
- Take out the device, iontophoresis kit, and two plastic tubs (large enough to fit your hand or foot).
- Fill each tub with a half-centimeter layer of water. The hand or foot should just touch the water.
- Connect the electrode cables to the device.
- Place one sponge electrode in each tub.
- Place both hands or feet into the tubs.
- Start the device. Run the iontophoresis program at a current intensity you can tolerate without pain.
Underarm Sweating Treatment with Iontophoresis
- Connect electrode cables to the device.
- Moisten the sponges and place one in each underarm. Keep your arms close to your torso until the treatment ends.
- Start the device. Run the iontophoresis program at a current intensity you can tolerate without pain.
How Often Should Tap Water Iontophoresis be Performed?
The treatment has two phases: symptom-reducing and maintenance. During the symptom phase, intensive (daily) treatment suppresses symptoms. After symptoms recede, less frequent but regular treatments maintain the effect. Sweating may intensify over time, requiring more intensive treatment again.
During the symptom phase, frequency depends on hyperhidrosis severity.
- Mild: 3-5 times per week for 1-2 weeks.
- Moderate: 3-5 times per week for 2-3 weeks.
- Severe: 3-5 times per week for 4-6 weeks.
The Dermadry treatment takes only 15 minutes (underarms) and 20 minutes (hands and feet).
Once desired dryness is achieved, treatment frequency can be reduced, but continued treatment is necessary to maintain results.
- Mild: once weekly for an additional 2-3 weeks.
- Moderate: once weekly continuously.
- Severe: 1-3 times weekly continuously.
Is Tap Water Iontophoresis Effective?
Increasing clinical trials confirm the safety and efficacy of tap water iontophoresis in treating hyperhidrosis. Most studies report near 90% success after two weeks, with almost all treated reporting positive results.
Studies consistently demonstrate tap water iontophoresis as a simple, safe, cost-effective, and efficient treatment option. It is recommended especially if simpler and cheaper antiperspirants and cosmetic treatments fail.
Tap water iontophoresis is advisable before botox injections, surgery, or prescription long-term medications.
It is a natural, drug-free, needle-free, and non-invasive treatment option providing long-term results and effectively managing hyperhidrosis ranging from mild to severe.
