What is the process of iontophoresis?
During iontophoresis patients sit with hands or feet, or both, immersed in shallow trays filled with water for a short period of time (20 to 40 minutes) while the device sends a mild electrical current through the water. The process is repeated every other day for five to ten days or until sweating is reduced to a comfortable level. Once the desired dryness has been achieved, patients are switched to a maintenance schedule, ranging from once per week to once every four weeks, depending on the individual. To maintain dryness, iontophoresis must be repeated as soon as sweating begins to return. What if it doesn’t work? Sometimes, tap water in certain geographic locations may be too soft for iontophoresis to work. That is, it doesn’t contain many minerals or electrolytes (tiny particles that help the electric current travel through the water and into the skin). Adding about a teaspoon of baking soda to the trays of water will take care of this. If iontophoresis with plain tap water or tap
