Immediate Reduction in Sweat Secretion With Electric Current Application in Primary Palmar Hyperhidrosis

In a study from 2011, researchers investigated the effects of dry electric current application on primary palmar hyperhidrosis in 6 patients without significant comorbid conditions or current medication use. Using the Minor starch-iodine test and a 100-point visual analog scale (VAS) for self-assessment, they found that a 4-mA current applied to the patients' wrists caused a rapid and substantial reduction in sweating, with the mean VAS score dropping from 66.2 to 19.2 during current application. However, sweating returned to baseline levels quickly after the current was discontinued. The study suggested that sweating in primary palmar hyperhidrosis might be mediated through an electrochemical mechanism, and that iontophoresis could potentially be simplified by eliminating the need for tap water, which may only act as a conductor. Despite the promising results, the study acknowledged limitations such as the lack of controls and the short-term nature of the effect, indicating that further research with larger patient cohorts and randomized controlled trials is necessary.