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 3(rd) day until the 4(th) 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.