Cover Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association
Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association
ISSN:
8750-7315
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Online Publication Date:
Jan 2023

Effectiveness of Iontophoresis in Treating Plantar Hyperhidrosis

Cynthia Formosa University of Malta, Faculty of Health Sciences, Msida, Malta.

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 PhD
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Claire Saliba Thorne University of Malta, Faculty of Health Sciences, Msida, Malta.

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Alfred Gatt University of Malta, Faculty of Health Sciences, Msida, Malta.

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DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7547/21-003
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Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of tap water iontophoresis as a treatment for plantar hyperhidrosis.

Methods: Thirty participants living with idiopathic plantar hyperhidrosis and consented to undergo treatment using iontophoresis were recruited. The Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Score was used to evaluate the severity of the condition before and after treatment.

Results: Tap water iontophoresis was found to be effective in the treatment of plantar hyperhidrosis in the study group (P = .005).

Conclusions: Treatment with iontophoresis led to the reduction of disease severity and improvement of quality of life, and it is a safe, easy-to-use method with minimal side effects. This technique should be considered before the use of systemic or aggressive surgical interventions, which could have potentially more severe side effects.

Corresponding author: Cynthia Formosa, PhD, University of Malta, Faculty of Health Sciences, Msida SGN 3051, Malta. (E-mail: cynthia.formosa@um.edu.mt)
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