Changes in Na+, K+ concentrations in perspiration and perspiration volume with alternating current iontophoresis in palmoplantar hyperhidrosis patients.

Various treatments are currently available for palmoplantar hyperhidrosis. We have treated palmoplantar hyperhidrosis patients effectively with the use of alternating current (AC) iontophoresis. However, much remains unknown about the physiological changes that occur with AC iontophoresis, and its mechanism of action. We measured the changes in Na(+), K(+) concentration in perspiration and perspiration volume with AC iontophoresis in palmoplantar hyperhidrosis patients. We found that hyperhidrosis patients have significantly higher perspiration volume and Na(+) concentration in perspiration than healthy controls. Looking at the temporal changes with AC iontophoresis, we found a significant decrease in perspiration volume and Na(+) concentration in perspiration after six iontophoresis treatments. This result is further evidence that Na(+) concentration in perspiration is closely involved with perspiration volume. However, looking at the changes in perspiration volume and Na(+) concentration in perspiration before and after a single AC iontophoresis treatment, we found that while perspiration volume did not decrease in hyperhidrosis patients after a single treatment, there was a significant decrease in Na(+) concentration. In healthy controls as well, Na(+) concentration in perspiration decreased significantly after a single treatment. These findings suggest that the effect of AC iontophoresis may be due to a complex mechanism involving changes in reabsorption of ductal Na(+).