The Effect and Persistency of 1% Aluminum Chloride Hexahydrate Iontophoresis in the Treatment of Primary Palmar Hyperhidrosis

Topical solutions containing aluminum chloride are known to be the first line of therapy for hyperhidrosis. Palmar hyperhidrosis however, is less responsive to aluminum chloride therapy and successful treatment may require 6-8 h application of high concentrations up to 30% that commonly leads to skin irritation. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of 30 min iontophoretic application of low concentration (1%) aluminum chloride solution in patients with palmar hyperhidrosis. Iontophoresis of 1% aluminum chloride was applied to one hand of twelve patients with palmar hyperhidrosis for four successive days. The subjects’ other hand was treated topically with the same solution at the same time. Gravimetric and iodine- starch tests were performed at baseline, 3 days, 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks after the last treatment. Experimental hand showed significant hypohidrosis from the 3rd day until the 4th week post-treatment (p < 0.04) which was lower than the control hand throughout the follow-up period. Iontophoresis of low concentration aluminum chloride hexahydrate can induce hypohidrosis that is more persistent than its topical application and with no side effects.