Iontoforese

Iontophoresis, also known as iontoforese, is a technique that uses a low direct electrical current to drive charged ions through the skin or other tissues. The process relies on electrostatic repulsion to push ions from a medication solution under an electrode into the underlying tissue, and it can be influenced by electroosmosis, a bulk flow of fluid that can assist the movement of neutral or differently charged molecules. The active electrode is paired with a return electrode, and the polarity is chosen so that the drug ion is repelled from the active electrode into the skin.

In practice, a patient wears two electrodes on the skin and a medication solution is placed under the electrode of the same polarity as the drug ion. For positively charged drugs, the positive electrode (anode) is used; for negatively charged drugs, the negative electrode (cathode) is used. The treatment is typically performed with a low current for several minutes, and the delivered dose is expressed in milliampere-minutes (mA·min). Iontophoresis devices are designed to be compact and portable for clinical or home use, and some protocols incorporate tap water for certain nonpharmacologic indications.

Applications of iontophoresis include transdermal delivery of medications such as local anesthetics and anti-inflammatory agents, enabling localized therapy with reduced systemic exposure. It is also used in hy dough management for hyperhidrosis, notably tap-water iontophoresis to reduce excessive sweating of hands or feet. In research, the technique is explored for delivering a range of compounds and for targeted tissue studies.

Safety and limitations: possible skin irritation or burns at the electrode site, dermatitis, and rare systemic absorption. Contraindications include broken or damaged skin, active skin disease, and implanted electronic devices near the treatment area. Proper device operation and medical guidance are important to minimize risks.